What are the criteria for good historical evidence?

Good historical evidence is evidence that can be verified and provides an accurate and reliable account of past events. There are several criteria that historians use to evaluate the quality of historical evidence:

Authenticity: Good historical evidence should be authentic, meaning that it is original and not a forgery or a copy. It should be able to be traced back to its original source.
Consistency: Good historical evidence should be consistent with other sources of information. If it contradicts other sources, it should be carefully examined and evaluated.
Corroboration: Good historical evidence should be corroborated by other sources of information. If multiple sources confirm the same information, it is more likely to be accurate.
Diversity: The evidence should come from a variety of sources and perspectives, as this helps to create a more complete and nuanced understanding of the historical period or event.
Provenance: Provenance refers to the origin or source of the evidence. Good historical evidence should have a clear and reliable chain of custody, showing where it has been and who has owned it over time.
Proximity: The evidence should be close in time and space to the events or individuals being studied, as this tends to increase its accuracy and relevance.
Relevance: Good historical evidence should be relevant to the events being studied. It should provide information that is important and useful in understanding the historical context.
Reliability: Good historical evidence should be reliable and trustworthy. It should be supported by other sources and should not be biased or influenced by personal opinion or ideology.
Validity: Does the evidence support the conclusion or argument being made? Historians will examine whether the evidence is relevant to the question at hand, and whether it is consistent with other evidence and known facts.

By evaluating evidence against these criteria, historians can make more informed judgments about the reliability and accuracy of historical accounts and draw more reliable conclusions about the past.

Sources:

Tests of Historical Evidence by NC State University

Tests of Evidence by University of Minnesota

Evaluating Historical Sources by The Library of Congress National Archives

Historical Methods: Guide for Students and Researchers by Prof Mary Fulbrook

Evaluating Evidence: The SCIM-C Method by the Stanford History Education Group

Historical Research: A Complete Guide by William O'Reilly

What is Historical Evidence? by Peter Seixas and Tom Morton

Historical Thinking Concepts by Historical Thinking Project