I've searched for the answer to this, and it seems pretty straightforward.

In order to enable the histories, you need to change the cfg file with this line vchar_edit_histories "0" to 1. I've done that. I've enabled the console. However, each time I try to start a new game, the histories are not present. When I go back to check everything, the console is still enabled, but the cfg file has gone back to its default, even though I am quite sure I have saved the file multiple times.

Any insights?

If you use the Unofficial Patch, which e.g. is included in the GOG release, you also need to set this in user.cfg!

Awesome! That worked perfectly. Thank you!