Wikis can be a good introductory source for sports history research. Wikipedia is the obvious starting point. In fact, Wikipedia pages are often the first results one finds via a Google search. If you'd like a potted history on a sporting club (e.g. the mighty Celtic FC) or a brief biographical sketch of a sporting figure (e.g. legendary Australian rugby league administrator, Harry Sunderland), then why not begin with Wikipedia? Just be wary that information may be 'borrowed' directly from other sources (e.g. the Australian Dictionary of Biography). Best of all, if you aren't happy with an entry, you can make the necessary changes yourself!
Some 'closed' wikis can be more useful than Wikipedia for more specific subjects. I love the subject guides at the Montana Historical Society's wiki. For example, the Montana Pronunciation Guide is a wonderful innovation, and I would love to see similar guides relating to regional Australian names. I like the fact that while users cannot edit the Montana Historical Society's guides, they can contribute their own stories.
They have been doing really impressive work in Montana.
ReplyDeleteEllen (PLS)