The present paper examines concisely the recent evolution of the history of translation studies, in order to explain a methodology of historical research in this specific area. More exactly, we focus on several key studies on the subject matter, among which are the Sabio Pinilla’s publications (2006). In this respect, we resume the application proposed by the Spanish author, formulated as a series of essential steps for any historical research, using data provided from our Ph.D. thesis in the history of translations between Catalan and Romanian.