The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Spring 1985, Volume 31, Number 2
Thomas L. Scharf, Editor

Book Notes

Raymond Starr, Book Review Editor

A Manual for Researching Historical Coastal Erosion. By Kim Fulton. La Jolla: California Sea Grant College Program, Institute of Marine Resources, University of California, 1981. Maps. Illustrations. Bibliography. 56 Pages. Price Unavailable.

At first glance it might seem strange to be noting in a historical journal a manual on coastal erosion published by the California Sea Grant College Program. A closer look, however, will show that this booklet is an extremely helpful guide for local historians. It describes the research sources and methods used by University of California scientists, Gerald Kuhn and Francis Shepard (whose book Sea Cliffs, Beaches, and Coastal valleys of San Diego County: Some Amazing Histories and Some Horrifying Implications was published by the University of California Press in 1984 and is reviewed in this issue of The Journal), as they researched the coastal cliffs from Del Mar to Oceanside. This Manual is especially helpful in describing various types of sources and how they were used. Some of the items covered are tax assessor’s maps, subdivision maps, road and survey maps, supervisors’ records, county deeds, historical maps, historical aerial photographs, and interviews. Fulton notes the source, the location, and gives suggestions on how to use the various types of material. Many items are illustrated with excellent photographs. A Manual for Researching Historical Coastal Erosion is, then, a very basic guide to researching local history which could be used with profit by any local historian.