What provenance can do
Provenance can connect an object to a person, unit, place, collection or historical event. It can make an otherwise ordinary object much more meaningful.
Evidence matters
The strongest provenance is supported by documents or contemporaneous photographs. Stories passed down through families can be valuable leads, but they should be distinguished from independently documented evidence.
Build a research file
Keep copies of photographs, notes, receipts, catalog references and correspondence together. Record when each item was obtained and what claim it supports.
Preserve the uncertainty
Good historical research does not require every question to have an answer. Recording what is known, unknown and plausible is often more useful than forcing a conclusion.
Research noteThis educational article is intended as a starting point for historical research. Identification and dating should be confirmed against reputable period references, archival material and qualified specialists when appropriate.