Local History

No one has seriously defined ‘local history’, and it is hard to see why one would. The term refers to what is confined, restricted, contained, or limited, in theory. The ‘local’ is a relative, in this context, to other histories, ones that are more wide ranging.  In contemporary practice, however, local history is not as limiting, in the hands of professional historians, than one usually expects.

The phrase “think global, act local” has been attributed to Scots town planner and social activist Patrick Geddes. The idea encapsulates the vision of Dr Buch for Queensland social histories. Most local historians fail to see the interconnections between the geographical scales and migrating cultural values across the sphere. Too many local histories read as static snapshots, isolated pieces of fluff divorced from the larger fabric of life.

Dr Buch explains the value of local of history in a series of 20 bibliographical articles

As the Director of the Brisbane Southside History Network since 2014, Dr Buch has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and resources to bring local history communities together. In his team-built Mapping Brisbane History Project he has created new regional perspectives that combine the valuable contribution of many other local historians.

Among his well-regarded local history publications are:

• Annerley’s Original Parkland: An attempt at Historical Geography for Local History in the Digital World. Stories of Stephens: A History of Annerley and the Surrounding Suburbs. Proceedings of a conference held on 27 February 2016. Annerley Stephens History Group Inc. supported by The Royal Historical Society of Queensland. 2017.

Untangling ‘Stories of Stephens’ Place Names (with Drs.. Ray Kerkhove and Michael Macklin). Stories of Stephens: A History of Annerley and the Surrounding Suburbs. Proceedings of a conference held on 27 February 2016. Annerley Stephens History Group Inc. supported by The Royal Historical Society of Queensland. 2017. [Published at academic.edu]