Research & Editorial Standards
How Florida Learning Hub develops, verifies, and presents historical material
Florida Learning Hub is committed to readable history that remains connected to evidence. These standards guide new work and the continuing review of existing material.
1. Sources Come First
FLH seeks the strongest available evidence for each subject. Depending on the topic, that may include government records, legislative acts, military records, census schedules, archival manuscripts, maps, photographs, historic newspapers, museum and historic-site collections, scholarly publications, and reputable local histories.
2. Primary and Secondary Evidence
Primary sources were created during or near the period being studied. Secondary sources interpret or synthesize evidence later. Both can be valuable. FLH compares them when possible and gives greater weight to evidence closest to the event while considering its context, purpose, and limitations.
3. Verification and Corroboration
Important names, dates, locations, quotations, statistics, and historical claims are checked against reliable records. When accounts conflict, FLH looks for additional evidence and explains material uncertainty when it affects the story.
4. Fact, Interpretation, and Tradition
Documented facts should not be blurred with inference, family tradition, legend, or editorial interpretation. When a conclusion is probable rather than certain, the wording should reflect that limitation.
5. Genealogy and Family History
Family-history claims require special care because people may share names, records may be incomplete, and traditions can change across generations. FLH looks for connected evidence across censuses, land, probate, military, church, cemetery, newspaper, and other records before treating relationships as established.
6. Digital Tools and Artificial Intelligence
Digital and AI tools may assist with searching, transcription, organization, comparison, drafting, or editing. They are not treated as historical sources. Factual claims must be supported by identifiable records or reliable publications, and final editorial responsibility remains with Florida Learning Hub.
7. Sources and Images
Articles include a sources or further-reading section. Image captions should identify the subject, source, and known usage status when available. See the Image & Copyright Policy for more detail.
8. Corrections
History is strengthened when errors are acknowledged. Substantive corrections are made when reliable evidence supports a change. See the Corrections Policy.
Standard adopted: September 2026. Existing articles are being brought into this framework as the library is reviewed and expanded.