Guest - A Widow's Son
Once you have been raised to become a Master Mason try to get hold of a copy of the book "The Lectures of the Three Degrees of Freemasonry". My copy is dated 1947 and was published by A. Lewis, who still sell Masonic Regalia.
The full lectures are rarely done in Lodge due to restrictions of time, but the full version does explain how and where the ritual as done in Lodge fits in with the history. I found that it answered most of the questions, probably similar to yours, and enabled me to fit things together.
Otherwise PM me with a letter or a half and I may be able to help you.
Colyn.