Databases

Internet Public Library

Library of Congress: American Memory Project

Research pathways

Primary sources:

-Historic documents, eg .Annals of America, Historic Documents, Great American Speeches, etc.

-Diaries, memoirs, letters or journals

-Eyewitness accounts of the event or from the time found in books, magazines or newspapers

-Interviews of people from the era found in books, magazines or newspapers

           

Books: Use the online catalog. Search by subject.

-Non-fiction: general history is the 900s, but you can also find the history of specific subject areas,

       e.g. sports history in 700s, science history in 500s, social history in 300s, etc.

-Biographies: located in Biography section (92); collected bios in 920s

           

Reference books: Use the online catalog or ask the librarian for assistance

-Biographical encyclopedias, R 920-928

-Subject specific references, e.g. Encyclopedia of World Religions, Atlas of American History, R 911 ATL,

 Encyclopedia of American Historical Documents, R 973 ENC, Dictionary of American History, R 973.03 DIC, etc.

-History encyclopedias and dictionaries, R 900-

-American history reference books and encyclopedias, R 973 -

Newspaper Sources:

-Large online newpaper collections in Ebsco and Elibrary, provide full-text articles from

          international, national and regional newspapers. Check title lists and date ranges.

-American Heritage Magazine: index volume located outside Mrs. Graff's office window. Use index to locate topics.

General American History Web Resources

• AMDOCS: Documents for the Study of American History
• From Revolution to Reconstruction … and What Happened Afterwards
• U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

United States History:

• The History Net Features hundreds of articles and images from past and current history related magazines, eyewitness accounts of historic events, profiles of people who made history, interviews with noted historians and heroes, and daily history quizzes. From the National Historical Society and History Group of Cawles Enthusiast Media.
  
  
• American Memory The American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress. Examine historical events of the day in Today in History. Archival search is also available by event or topic and includes photos, documents, motion pictures and sound recordings.
  
  
• The Declaration of Independence @ The History Channel: Take a fascinating in-depth look at the document that forever changed America and the men that made it possible. Uncover its detailed interpretation and preservation.
  
  
• Historical Text Archive Provides one of the most comprehensive collections of historical documents, arranged chronologically as well as topically with links to sites relating to American history.
  
  
• Chronology of U.S. Historical Documents Provides over 100 primary source materials in chronological order from the pre-Colonial era to modern times, from the University of Oklahoma.
  
  
• AwesomeStories A collection of primary sources, text, images and multimedia on a wide range of historical topics. Includes a site map and a subject index. Free access using the password for our databases.
  
  
• Smithsonian Institution Web site of the largest museum complex in the world with an extensive online collection and image database.
  
  
• Archiving Early America Primary sources for the revolutionary period, including newspaper articles as well as important political documents.
  
  
• FirstGov: Your First Click to the U.S. Government Easy to navigate web-site that provides a gateway to every online resource offered by the Federal Government.
  
  
• United States Government Manual Provides a searchable version of the the most recent five US government manuals which contain information on all branches of the government as well as departments and agencies. The contents are also browsable.
  
  
• POTUS: Presidents of the United States From the Internet Public Library, this excellent site offers biographies, historical documents, audio and video files, speeches and writings, election results, odd facts and presidential highlights.
  
  
• The White House Information on the White House and its occupants both past and present, plus the latest information on the President's agenda and focus. This site also provides easy access to current Federal social statistics and information produced by Federal agencies.
  
  
• American Experience: the Presidents Information on 20th century American Presidents and their times, policies and their presidential record.
  
  
• The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden Straight from the Smithsonian's national Museum of American History, this site provides information about each of the commanders-in-chief and connects to some of the relics of those who held the office.
  
  
• National Portrait Gallery: Hall of Presidents Also from the Smithsonian Institute, portraits of the presidents are accompanied by brief biographies.
  
  
• THOMAS: Federal Legislative Information on the Internet Daily account of proceedings in House and Senate searchable by keyword, as well as links to House and Senate gopher sites and LCMARVEL.
  
  
• Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) A guide to free educational Web sites created by federal government agencies. This is a clearinghouse for all government resources. This provides an incredible amount of resources.
  
  
• Justice Department Web site for the U.S. Department of Justice.
  
  
• FindLaw:Supreme Court Opinions most comprehensive collection of Supreme Court decisions, dating back to 1937. Cases can be browsed by vol.,year, party name, citation number and full text; also a searchable database of decisions since 1893.
  
  
• LII: Supreme Court Collection Contains all Supreme Court opinions issued since May 1990 and a historic collection of approximately 600 of the most important cases, which can be searched by party name, topic, or opinion author.
  
  
• FedWorld/Flite Supreme Court Decisions Searchable by case name or keyword search full-text of every decision, plus references to other Supreme Court decision sites.
  
  
• Landmark Cases Important Supreme Court cases in history that have shaped significant aspects of our government and society. Includes backgrounds and summaries, case diagrams and audio files of opinions.
  
  
• ABA network From the American Bar Association, this site is devoted to the various aspects of the trial system, including courts and legal procedures, steps in a trial, being a judge, mediation and more resources having to do with law and the legal system.
  
  
• Congress.Org A directory of information about the members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, including committees.
  
  


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Last Updated January 2010