Editorial Standards
Local history writing has a bad habit of repeating whatever the last blog post said. I try not to add to that pile.
Sourcing
When a piece makes a historical claim, I'm checking it against a primary or authoritative source before it publishes — not just repeating what's already floating around online. My usual stack, roughly in order of trust:
- The Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas
- Texas Historical Commission markers and records
- County and municipal records
- University archives
- Reputable local journalism and official organization sites
When a claim comes from one of these, I link it inline, in the same sentence — not buried in a footnote.
Legend vs. fact
Texas has no shortage of stories that have hardened into fact through repetition. When something's local legend rather than a documented record, I say so in the text. A good story doesn't need to be misrepresented as a verified one.
Dates and figures
Exact dates, names, and numbers get double-checked before publishing — particularly anything using words like "first," "oldest," "largest," or "only." Those claims are the easiest to get wrong and the most common source of corrections.
Bylines and dates
Every piece carries a byline and a publish date. If a piece is updated after publishing, the update is dated too — see the Corrections Policy for what triggers a visible correction note versus a silent fix.
Questions about how a specific piece was sourced? Email marcus@everybittexas.com .