In historical terms, what does "comtemporary evidence" mean?

Question

The question I must answer is..."What principles should historians apply when examining and using contemporary evidence?"
(referring to 3 primary sources of personal accounts on what it was like to work in coal mines in 1842)


I'm not sure what this question means......

Answer 1

Here is a sample:

http://www.transhumanism.org/index.php/th/more/844/
.

Soon a planned genocide will occur. Read the "here" link, for proof...on the first page.

Answer 2

Jaydon - we've just answered this question on your previous posted question.

"Contemporary evidence" in historical terms means accounts that were written, photographs that were taken, or any other evidence that comes from the same time period that the evidence describes.

In your example a contemporary account of working in a coal mine in 1842 could be written by anyone of that period, not necessarily a coal miner. It is your job as a historian to filter the accounts that you have and find which one is most likely to be a true and accurate account. For instance, if your 3 accounts were written by a pit owner, a miner and a miner's wife - you would expect the last two to give you the most accurate account of what it was like in the mines.

Answer 3

'Contemporary evidence' means written evidence etc., from the time being studied. Here the 3 primary sources were written at the time being studied. So the question is asking what criteria should be applied in assessing such evidence - a question I do not propose to answer.

Answer 4

its means at the time it was legal
Contemporacy evidence would prove slavery was legal(at the time) child labor whatever
Coal mining would be long hours and safety issues i guess