Over this past week, I have been doing some more research on the Salem Witch Trials and Puritan beliefs in colonial Massachusetts. The library at school does not have any books on the area that I am focusing on, and I was hoping to go to the library at Hurstville yesterday, but after falling down the stairs and hurting my shoulder, I decided that I would go another day. I am really struggling to find book sources, although we do own the Arthur Miller play, "The Crucible" which I thought would be interesting to read even though it is not entirely factual. Hopefully I will find some book sources soon and begin to develop some draft paragraphs for my essay!

During today's history lesson, I wrote out some more notes from the 'World Book Encyclopedia' on the Salem Witch Hunt. I found the book to be really helpful in terms of gaining a summary of the events that occurred, however I have been struggling to find websites which are useful and end in 'edu' or 'org'. Hopefully I will be able to find some more books on the daily life of the people of Salem in the library tomorrow!

Salem Witch Hunt

Map of Salem Village



My first blog post!

For my historical investigation, I have decided to research the Salem Witch Trials, which occurred in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. At the time, Salem was an immensely religious community who lived simple lives, and the witch hunt initially began as a result of the accusations of a group of girls who had been suffering from 'fits' and believed that they were bewitched. Since the people of Salem were largely superstitious, these girls were sent to source out those that were practising witchcraft. Over 200 people were thought to be witches, and nineteen of the accused were hanged.

Yesterday, Mrs Russo suggested that I make my focus question: "How do the Salem Witch Trials help us to understand the Massachusetts society at that time?"

During today's lesson, I researched and wrote notes on my topic from 'The World Book Encyclopedia'.

*Fact*: 552 original documents pertaining to the Salem witch trials of 1692 have been preserved and are still stored by the Peabody Essex Museum.