Finding and Using Primary Sources: A Guide
Primary Historical
Documents on the Internet (a guide)
Published Collections (Excerpts or Full Text)
Books
Newspapers/Periodicals
Collections of Documents
Guides to Sources of Documents
Government Documents
Indexes
Selected Historical Titles of U.S. Government Documents
Other Collections of Various Documents
Manuscripts and Archives (Published and Unpublished)
Indexes (Unpublished Collections)
Indexes (Published Collections)
Societies & Museums
National and Local Resources
National
State
LocalOxford
Cincinatti
Dayton
Columbus
Documents of American History. Henry Steele Commager (ed.). New York: Appleton, 1973.
Official and "quasi-official" documents chosen "to illustrate the course of American history from the Age of Discovery to the present."
King Ref E 173 .D59 1988.
The People's Republic of China, 1949-1979 A Documentary Survey. Harold C. Hinton (ed.). Wilmington, Dela.:
Scholarly Resources, 1980.
King Ref DS 777.55 .P4243
Historic Documents of 1972-. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 1972+.
Excellent compilation of speeches, policies, etc.
King Ref E 839.5 .H57
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. Washington: GPO, 1965-.
Transcripts of presidents' news conferences, speeches, statements, etc.
King Periodicals
Vital Speeches of the Day. Weekly. 1935-.
Extracts or whole reprints of speeches.
King Periodicals
English Historical Documents. David C. Douglas (ed.). London: Eyre and Spottiswook, 1953-77. Covers from ca. 500-1914.
Old English modernized.
DA 26 .E55
Documents on British Foreign Policy. E.L. Woodward and Rohan Butler, 1919-1939.
Through various series covers 1919 to 1939.
DA 566.7 .A18
American Periodicals Series.
Microform IMC and Online
Newspapers in Microform: United States, 1948-1983. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Library of Congress, 1983.
Arranged by state, then town/city; with library holdings (throughout U.S.) of microfilm.
King Ref PN 4855 .L53x 1948/83
Newspapers in Microform: Foreign Countries, 1948-1972. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Library of Congress, 1973.
Gives world-wide holdings of foreign newspapers.
King Ref PN 4731 .L53x 1948/83
American Periodicals, 1741-1900. Ann Arbor, MI: University Microforms International, 1979.
Title index to American periodicals on microfilm from 18th and 19th centuries. Index on CD ROM
King Ref PN 4877 .H65 1979
Guide to Ohio Newspapers, 1793-1973. Stephen Gutgesell. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Historical Society, 1976. Union list of Ohio newspapers; dates and locations.
King Ref Z 6592 .O4 O44 1976
United States Newspaper Program: National Union List. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC, 1985.
Complicated but comprehensive list of newspapers held in U.S. and Trust Territories. Subject, title, geographic, and audience index.
King Ref PN 4855 .U54 1985
Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature. New York: H.W. Wilson, 1907-.
Index to popular/general articles. Can help locate articles about events of the 20th century.
King Index Tables
Nineteenth Century Readers' Guide. New York: H.W. Wilson, 1890-1899.
Late nineteenth century reference to periodicals.
Poole's Index to Periodical Literature. Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1881-1908.
Cites articles from 1802 through 1908. Citations are sometimes inaccurate, but this is the only index to 19th century periodicals.
King Index Tables
Wellesley Index to Victorian Periodicals, 1824-1900. Walter E. Houghton (ed.). Toronto: University of Toronto Press & Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Major nineteenth century periodicals with listing of table of contents, issue by issue.
King Ref Z 2005 .H6 and CDROMCIS History Universe: African Americans
http://cisweb.lexis-nexis.com/histuniv/Early English Books Online
http://wwwlib.umi.com/eeboHarpWeek
Accessible Archives
http://srch.accessible.com/cgi-bin/accessible/verify.pl
The (London) Times Index. Reading, Eng.: Newspapers Archive Developments (publishers vary), 1790+.
King Index. Earlier indexes under AI 21 .T46.
New York Times Index. New York: New York Times Index, 1851+.
King Index. Earlier indexes on circulating shelves AI 21 .N44.
Newspaper Indexes: A Location and Subject Guide. Anita Cheed Milner. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1977-1982. 3 vols.
Guide to locations of indexes (published and unpublished) of newspapers in the United States (but not necessarily U.S. newspapers).
King Ref Z 6951 .M635 v1-3
Anything in the U.S. collection can be considered historical. Anyone working the area of U.S. history should consider the resources in this collection.
Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications. 1895-Documents
Index Tables
CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Hearings Index. 1833-1969.Documents
Index Tables
CIS U.S. Serial Set Index. 1789-1969.
Ref Doc Z 1223 .Z9 C65 1975 pt. v.
Descriptive Catalogue of the Government Publications of the United States, Sept. 5, 1774-March 4, 1881.
Ref Doc
Comprehensive Index to the Publications of the United States Government.
Ref Doc
Checklist of United States Public Documents, 1789-1909.
Ref Doc Z 1223 .A113 v.1
Declassified Documents Catalog. c.1945-.
Documents Index Tables (accompanying microfiche 1980- in documents
microfiche collection.
Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications.
Ref Doc GS4.17/2:
Decennial Census, 1790-.
Documents Department Census Collection, row 37.
U.S. Congressional Serial Set, 1817-. Prior to 1817 see American State Papers.
Documents Department, rows 29-32B.
American State Papers. 1789-1823.
Documents Department, row 29.
Annals of Congress. 1789-1824.
Documents Department, row 64.
Register of Debates. 1824-1837.
Documents Department, row 64.
Congressional Globe. 1833-1873.
Documents Department, row 64.
Congressional Record. 1873-.
Documents Department, row 64-65.
Foreign Relations of the United States. 1863-.
Documents Department, S1.1: (earlier volumes in Serial Set).
United States Statutes at Large. 1789-.
Documents Department, Law Collection, row 33 (earlier volumes on microfiche).
U.S. Reports. 1789-.
Documents Department, Law Collection, row 34.
Treaties and Other International Agreements of the U.S., 1776-1949.
Documents Department, Law Collection, row 34.
U.S. Treaties and Other International Agreements. 1950-.
Documents Department, S9.12:
Indian Affairs Laws and Treaties.
Documents Department, S9.12:
Public Papers of the Presidents of the U.S.. 1929-33, 1945-.
J 80 .A283 (Indexes in King Reference)
Territorial Papers of the United States.
E 173 .U572
Union Bibliography of Ohio Printed State Documents, 1803-1970.
Ref Doc Z 1323 .S9
Ten Years of United Nations Publications, 1945-1955.
Ref Doc JX 1977 .T44 1955
Index to Proceedings...Various U.N. organs. 1952-.
Documents Index Tables
United Nations Document Index. 1950-.
Ref Doc Z 6482 .U45
Index to Selected Publications of the Rand Corporation 1946-1962.
Documents Index Tables.
Selected Rand Abstracts. 1963-.
Documents Index Tables
Subject Collections: A Guide to Special Book Collections and Subject Emphases as Reported by University, College, Public, and Special Libraries and Museums in the United States and Canada. 7th edition. New York: Bowker, 1993.
Includes manuscripts, as well as book collections.
King Ref Z 731 .A78
National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections, 1959-1980. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1959-. Lists papers of people, families, associations, etc.; gives description of collection and name of U.S. repository.
King Ref Z 6620 .U5 N3
Women's History Sources. Andrea Hinding (ed.). New York: R.R. Bowker, 1979.
King Ref Z 7964 .U49 56
Guide to Microforms in Print. Westport:Microforms Review, 1997.
Subject, author, title of microform resources available.
King Ref Z 1033 .M5 G8 1997
Guide to Archives and Manuscripts in the United States. Philip M. Hamer (ed.). New Haven: Yale University Press, 1961.
Obviously dated but still useful. State-by-state (including U.S. territories), then by city. Specific listing of major institution's and organization's collections. Includes details subject index.
King Ref CD 3022 .A45
Guide to Federal Records inthe National Archives of the United States. Robert B. Matchette and Anne B. Eales. Washington: GPO, 1995.
Description of major record groups in the Archives' collections.
King Ref CD 3026 1995 and Docs Ref AE1.108:G94
National Archives and Records Administration
http://www.nara.gov/nara/
The National Archives is the major documentary preservation agency of the United States. Included in this site are indexes to their collections as well as actual digitized collections. Enter the reserach room and browse. Use NAIL (http://www.nara.gov/nara/nail.html) to do some searching.ArchivesUSA
MiamiLINKINDEXES TO PUBLISHED COLLECTIONS
American Diaries: An Annotated Bibliography of Published American Diaries and Journals 1492-1980. Laura Arksey et al. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Co., 1983. Reference by name, subject, and geographic locations.
King Ref CT 214 .A74 1983x
And So to Bed: A Bibliography of Diaries Published in English. Praticia Pate Havlice (ed.). Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1987. Index to diaries published either in journals or separately.
King Ref CT 25 .H385 1987
The Published Diaries and Letters of American Women: An Annotated Bibliography. Joyce D. Goodfriend. Boston, MA: G.K. Hall, 1987.
King Ref CT 3260 .G66 1987
Women's Diaries, Journals and Letters: An Annotated Bibliography. Cheryl Cline. New York: Garland, 1989.
King Ref CT 3230 .C55 1989
Directory of Archives and Manuscript Repositories in the United States. National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1988. Similar to above but less detailed and more current.
King Ref CD 3020 .D49 1988
Directory of History Departments and Organizations in the United States and Canada. Washington, D.C. : American Historical Association, Institutional Services Program, 1990-
List of faculty, programs, and requirements. Includes excellent description of major historical archives and their collecitons. Lists doctoral dissertations completed and in progress.
King Ref D16.3 .G83
British Archives: A Guide to Archive Resources in the United Kingdom. 3nd ed. Janet Foster and Julia Sheppard. New York: Stockton Press, 1995.
Description of collections in British libraries, museums, archives, etc.
King Ref CD 1040 .F67 1995
American Library Directory. New York: R.R. Bowker Co., annual.
Addresses and descriptions of all libraries in U.S. and Canada.
King Ref Z 731 .A53
Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers. Brigitte Darnay (ed.). Detroit, MI: Gale Research Company, annual.
Describes collection and gives address of libraries etc. which have special collections in the U.S. and Canada.
King Ref Z 731 .A78
Encyclopedia of Associations. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Company, annual.
Addresses and phone numbers of any organization in the U.S. (and some international).
King Ref HS 17 .G334
World of Learning. London: Europa Publications Ltd., (annual).
Lists anything to do with "learning" by country, learned societies, universities, museums, foundations, statistics, etc.
King Ref AS 2 .W6
County Court Records. Tempe, AZ: BRB Publications, 1997.
King Ref CS 44 .S67 1997
Genealogy Online: Researching Your Roots. Elizabeth Powell Crowe. New York: McGraw Hill, 1998
King Ref CS 49 .C76 1998
Ohio Guide to Genealogical Sources. Carol Willsy Bell. Genealogical Publishing Co. 1988
King Ref F490.B44 1988
Archives and Local History. F.G. Emmison. Chichester: Phillmore, 1974
King Ref DA1 .E45 1974
Record Sources for Local History. Philip Riden. London: B.T. Batsford, 1987
King Ref DA1.R544 1987
Genealogical Research in England's PRO. Judith Prowse Reid. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pubishing Company, 1996.
King Ref CS 49.R45 1996
NATIONAL
CENTER FOR RESEARCH LIBRARIES.
Chicago, Ill.
Organization formed by university libraries to provide access to expensive microfilm collections. Included are such items as court records, BBC records, British government documents (as well as documents from other countries), newspapers, 18th century French fiction, etc. See librarian for list. Many of these holdings are listed in Ohiolink. Requests for use must go through ILL.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.
National Archives, Pennsylvania Ave. and Eighth Street NW, Washington D.C. 20408. (202) 523 3134.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Independent Ave. at First St. E, Washington D.C. 20540 (202) 287-5000.
National library of the U.S.; but originally designed to serve Congress. Has extensive and aged collection.STATE
STATE LIBRARY OF OHIO.
65 S. Front Street, Room 1206, Columbus, OH 43266-0334. (614) 462-7061.
Central library for Ohio. Collections include rare books, state government documents, education materials, genealogical materials, etc.
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ARCHIVES LIBRARY.
Velma Ave. Columbus, OH 43211. (614) 297-2510.
Founded in 1885. Interests: archaeology, early Northwest Territory, Ohio history, genealogy, and natural history.
LOCALOXFORD
MIAMI UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.
King Library, third floor, (513) 529-3325.
Special collections contains Ohio River Valley, papers of Jefferson Davis, Pre-Revolutionary Russian History, Shaker Collection, Walt Whitman and others.
MIAMI UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
Withrow Court and Western Campus. (513) 529-6720. Records of Miami University and Western College for Women.
LANE PUBLIC LIBRARY, SMITH LIBRARY OF REGIONAL HISTORY.
15 S. College Ave., Oxford OH (513) 523-7531.
Collection of books and materials from the Smith's concerning Oxford history.CINCINNATI
CINCINNATI HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Museum Center - Cincinnati Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45203. (513)287-7030.
Anything dealing with Cincinnati history. Also have collections concerning Old Northwest, Miami Purchase and Ohio. Publishes Queen City Heritage, a quarterly journal of Cincinnati history. Society founded in 1831.
PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.
800 Vine St., Library Square, Cincinnati, OH 45202-2071. (513) 369-6000 (general catalog assistance). (513) 369-6905 (History department).
Public library with a research size collection. History department maintains index to Cincinnati newspapers since about 1920. Also a local history index. Other relevant collections include Mississippi River (Inland River Collection), Seasongood Collection of Government, Law and Public Administration. And lots more! Now part of GCLC. Maintains online index to the Cincinnati Enquirer (accessible through Miamilink) and other Cincinnati papers since about 1930's.
HEBREW UNION COLLEGE--JEWISH INSTITUTE OF RELIGION.
3101 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488. (513) 221-1875. Founded in 1875 and leader in Jewish Studies. Has excellent collection of Incunabula, Hebrew manuscripts, Jewish Americana before 1850, etc.
ATHENAUM OF OHIO. Eugene H. Maly Memorial Library, 6616 Beechmont Ave., 45230-2091. (513) 231-2223. Small library which curates (among other services to students) Cincinnati Catholic Archdiocese Archives.
CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM. Eden Park, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Items concerning art history and Cincinnati.
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI.
Central Library, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0033. (513) 475-2212.
Large university library. Special interests include medical history, 18th century British anonymous poetical pamphlets, 19th and 20th century German/American history. Greek and Latin paleography, classical studies in Blegan Library.DAYTON
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.
215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402-2103. (513) 224-1651. Dayton local history.
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY.
University Library, Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435. (513) 873-2385.
Special collections include: local and regional history, Wright Brothers papers, early county papers, Cincinnati/Dayton railroad records and more.COLUMBUS
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY.
University Libraries, 1858 Neil Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43210-1286. 614-292-6151.
Large university library system. Excellent archives.