The reconstruction of eighteenth century temperature records through the use of content analysis

The reconstruction of a temperature record for eighteenth century eastern Massachusetts is discussed. In addition to instrumental records diaries were analyzed in order to produce temperature indices. Reliability tests demonstrate that the methodology used is capable of replicating results regardless of changes in coders or intraregional variability in language. Validity tests, comparing diary reconstructions with instrumental records for the same period, produced positive results. A compilation of all climate related data shows the decades of the 1720's, 1750's, and 1760's were cool, while the 1770's and 1790's were warm.