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Date Published:
2005 |
L’Encyclopédie
de l’histoire du Québec / The Quebec History Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
of Quebec History
In the encyclopedia section, the site makes available historical material that may portray individuals or groups in a stereotypical or prejudicial manner. In most instances, this material dates from earlier decades or centuries and reflects the beliefs/views/culture of the people of the time. This material is reproduced at the site for study purposes only and its publication should in no way be interpreted as an endorsement of these views or stereotypes.
The texts in
the Encyclopedia section of the site are derived from a variety
of sources - such as encyclopedias,
biographical dictionaries, anthologies, etc. - that were published at least 50 years ago (in some cases as
long as 150 years ago). In each case the author is clearly indicated
and the full citation is provided at the end of the text. Sometimes,
especially if the article is particularly long, the date of publication
and the author is provided at the beginning of the text, as well as
at the end.
The method
used by the different authors varied considerably. Some relied on
information provided by their subject; others did extensive research.
Some of the authors were more thorough in the information provided
and more critical in their approach than others. However, all provide
some useful information to the reader, especially in the many instances
when no other information is available on the subject or the individual.
In using the
information provided in the Encyclopedia, the reader should
keep in mind the following:
- Pay attention to the date when the information was published.
For individuals who were still alive at the time when the article
was written, evidently some information would be missing. If more
than one article is available on the same person/subject, the closest
to us should contain the most up-to-date information.
- The articles are largely unverified and the approach is frequently
uncritical. Evidently, I would not reproduce an article that
has no value. However, at times, an article may be made available
for no other than historiographical reasons. It would allow us to
see how a person or an issue was viewed at a certain point in time.
- Many of the authors had evident biases. I might add: "Who
does not?" Apply critical thinking when using this information,
all information. However, many of the authors were very fair
in dealing with their subject. When significant bias is detected, we direct the reader to other sources of information in an attempt to complete or nuance the information given.
- [...] means that something has been deleted from the original
text. This does not happen frequently. The deletion is usually because
the section was judged to be useless, offensive in some respect,
or because reproduction of it was too complex.
- [With text within it] means that material has been added to the
original text by the editor (Claude Bélanger). Its purpose
is to replace incorrect information or to add something to the understanding
of the text.
- When factual or typographical errors are found by the editor (or
reported to the editor) they are corrected. However, it is clear that errors may still remain as it is not possible to verify all the facts of thousands of articles, some of them quite substantial. If you find errors, please contact us so we may correct them.
- For the better known individuals found in the Encyclopedia,
a balance was sought by the editor by either providing several biographies
and documents about the same person or by linking to other, more
current, internet sources. Many of these links are to the Dictionary
of Canadian Biography, the Canadian Encyclopedia, the Catholic Encyclopedia, and the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica. In some instances,
the Wikipedia Encyclopedia has also been used.
- The texts of the Encyclopedia are not in quotation marks even though they reproduce faithfully the original text. When quotation marks are found, it is because they were present in the original text.
- Consider that the Encyclopedia is work in progress. Additions
are frequently made and, increasingly, thoroughness and balance
will be achieved.
Claude Bélanger,
Department of History,
Marianopolis College.
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