Research tools

Passages

Historical timelines with citations.

Read timeline as text
Dates retain their original wording. Solid spans show durations; dashed spans show date precision or uncertainty.

My timelines

Saved in this browser. Download a project copy to keep a backup or use another device.

Import events

One event per line. Use # A title for a title or new lane, and @category to group events.

Export timeline

PNG is 2× the canvas dimensions. PDF uses 96 canvas pixels per inch and grows with the canvas. Dense figures can be taller than a slide or standard paper; the complete SVG is always the scalable option.

Visual exports use the events currently shown. CSV and project files include all events and private notes. Private notes stay out of visual exports.

Choose an example

Each example opens as a new timeline. Your current work is kept.

View examples and download figures

About Passages

Create historical timelines with dated events and citations. Free to use without an account. Read about Passages.

Make your first timeline

  1. Choose New, then add events or paste a dated list.
  2. Give events categories, sources, or separate lanes.
  3. Choose a layout, theme, and text size.
  4. Choose Export for a figure, or Save project for an editable copy.

Dates and sources

Use years, named months, YYYY-MM, or YYYY-MM-DD, with BCE/CE when needed. Passages uses a proleptic Gregorian display calendar with no public year zero; it does not convert historical calendars. Partial dates represent the whole entered period. Ranges are possible-date intervals unless you choose Duration. Unknown and ambiguous dates stay in the unplaced section. Original wording and qualifiers are preserved. See the date guide.

Sources appear beneath exported timelines. Private notes are included only in editable project files and CSV exports.

Move from the preview

If you saved work at the original preview, open it in the same browser, choose My timelines, and download each project with Save project. Return here and choose Open project. Both addresses keep their own browser library. This release opens old projects; the old preview cannot open this release’s newer project format.

Storage and privacy

Events, notes, and imported files are processed in your browser. Passages does not upload them or run analytics. Browser saving is a convenience; keep downloaded project copies. Work saved on one address or device is not automatically available on another.

Related tools

RECTO/verso connects archive photographs, transcriptions, annotations, and cited figures. Marches makes maps from your research. Passages creates timelines with citations.

Contact: hello@dodgewellcollective.com