Historical Research Assistant for Historical Fiction Novel (Legal & Archival Research)

I am an author writing a historical fiction novel set in Arizona in the late 1970s-1990s. I am seeking a detail-oriented research assistant to help uncover and synthesize historical information that will bring the novel to life. This is not a simple internet search position. I am looking for someone who enjoys investigative research and can track down primary sources, including court records, government documents, newspaper archives, historical records, and other archival materials. Responsibilities * Locate court documents, lawsuits, hearings, permits, government records, and archival materials related to specific historical events * Search newspaper archives, libraries, university collections, and historical societies * Contact courts, government offices, archives, or historical organizations when necessary to locate records * Create concise, organized summaries of findings * Develop timelines of events and identify discrepancies between sources * Maintain detailed citations and provide copies or links to original source material * Answer specific research questions related to geography, culture, politics, recreation, technology, and daily life during this time period Ideal Qualifications * Background in history, journalism, library science, archival studies, law, or legal research * Experience using newspaper databases, court records, government archives, or university collections * Excellent ability to distinguish reliable sources from speculation or secondary reporting * Strong written communication and organization skills * Curiosity and enjoyment of solving research I am looking for someone who is thorough, skeptical, and capable of going beyond Google to uncover difficult-to-find information.