Representative Reference Sources for History
When doing a search for information, start by establishing a basic understanding of the terms and concepts in the field. Reference works such as dictionaries, handbooks, manuals and encyclopedias are great sources for this type of information.
Chronology of World History R 902.02 M525c 2001
This multi-volume set takes a look at world history in a chronological view by subject areas. There are over 70,000 entries with an extensive index provided for easy access to information.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
An online version of the traditional print encyclopedia, it is a great resource for basic information from multiple subject areas.
Encyclopedia of African American History (1619-1895) R 973.0496 E564 2006
This 3 volume set covers all major aspects of African American life in the United States from the first slave ships to the death of Frederick Douglas.
Encyclopedia of the Developing World R 909.09724 E56 2006
Contains an alphabetical list of almost 800 entries and along with the index. References are provided for each entry which gives the opportunity for more sources on the topic.
Encyclopedia of Globalization R 303.482 E56
Topics include issues from history, economics, environmentalism, political and cultural disciplines. The 1st volume includes a list of entries and a reader’s guide organizing entries on related topics.
Encyclopedia of the American Civil War R 973.7 E56 2000
This five volume reference tool gives an extensive list of entries for people, places, and battles. Includes maps, drawings, and photographs of this influential conflict in American History.
Encyclopedia of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era R 973.8 E56 2005
Covering the time from 1877-1919m the encyclopedia provides thematic essays which give overviews of the time, along with specific entries on important people, events, and concepts.
Encyclopedia of the Renaissance and the Reformation R 940.21 E56 2004
This specialized encyclopedia has entries arranged alphabetically with a complete index for easy location of information. This is a great resource on the time period in Western Civilization.
The Gale Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes R 973.0497 G151 1998
This four volume set gives a comprehensive review of Native American tribes, customs, and culture. The contents and index help the user find information within the set.
Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History: War R 355.009 G151u 2008
Places U.S. wars and conflicts within their historical context. Extensive entries detailing individual battles and events. Also provides a bibliography for a list of additional resources.
Gale Encyclopedia of World History: War R 355.009 G151w 2008
Entries range from the Assyrian Conquests beginning in 853 BCE to the Iran-Iraq War ending in 1988. It also contains a short introduction to the global war on terrorism. Entries discuss the impact of each war, along with major figures and battles. Extensive lists of further reading provide additional resources.
Historical Dictionary of the People’s Republic of China R 951.003 S949h 2007
Defines topics of political, economic, and social interest, including biographies spanning from the beginning of communist rule in 1949 to 2006.
Oxford Reference Online Online
Contains the full-texts of over 100 books of general reference including History.
Witch Hunts in Europe and America: An Encyclopedia R 133.4 B967w 2003
Entries covers subjects and people associated with witch hunts and trails in Europe and America.
Women during the Civil War R 973.7082 H294w
Entries in this encyclopedia outline women’s role during the civil war. Those from various ethic and social backgrounds are examined. Includes suggestions for further reading in each entry.
Women in the Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia R 305.4 W8725i 2004
Entries include important women and issues related to women during the time period.
Women in World History R 920.72 W872i 1999
A multi-volume set that extensively covers important women in world history, includes genealogy charts of the great ruling families.
Finding Books and Other Items in the Library
To find book and other resources on History in our general collection start by going to the ALEX online catalog and searching by subject. If this strategy is not useful, try searching by keyword, which broadens your search and retrieves more information.
Browsing by call number:
· 909 World history
· 911 Historical geography
· 913 Ancient world
· 914 Europe
· 915 Asia
· 916 Africa
· 917 North America
· 918 South America
· 919 Other areas
Resources for Finding Articles on History
For the latest information from authoritative sources, use scholarly journals. Some online databases like Academic Search Complete and JSTOR are examples of general databases that contain information from multiple disciplines. The following databases are other examples, typically more specific in nature, that contain information geared towards this discipline.
African American Studies Center
This online database features primary source documents, biographies, images, maps, timelines, and important demographic charts and tables on the African American Experience.
Biography and Genealogy Master Index
Index of biographical information from a variety of sources.
Wiley InterScience (Formerly Blackwell Synergy)
You can either browse journals group by specific subject area, like History, or use the advanced search option to find articles covering a specific topic.
Expanded Academic ASAP
Expanded Academic ASAP covers a wide-range of topics in all academic fields of study.
Humanities International Complete
Contains full text from over 890 journals, some of which are unique to this database, along with citations from over 2,100 journals. Covers all of the humanities, including History.
HarpWeek
This database provides full text articles from Harper's Magazine, 1857-1877.
New York Times [1851-2003]
Provided through Proquest, this database contains full text of New York Times editions from 1851-2003.
Project Muse
This database, associated with JSTOR, contains almost 250 scholarly journals, covering most of the areas of the Humanities and Social Sciences, including History.
Journal Finder
If you are having trouble finding the full text of a journal, Journal Finder can help point you towards the right database.
Web Resources in History
There is a great variety of web sites that might be useful for your research. Following are a few suggestions. For more web resources, you can check out the library's delicious page.
Bridgewater College’s Department of History and Political Science
The home page for the Department of History and Political Science at Bridgewater College.
Discovering American Women's History Online
"This database provides access to digital collections of primary sources (photos, letters, diaries, artifacts, etc.) that document the history of women in the United States. These diverse collections range from Ancestral Pueblo pottery to Katrina Thomas's photographs of ethnic weddings from the late 20th century."
The Civil Rights Digital Library
Includes primary and secondary sources related to the Civil Rights movement. Included are video of news clips, photographs, and digitized documents from around the United States. You can search by keyword, or browse, by place, event, media type, etc. Also included are resources for educators who would like to include materials from this source.
The Library of Congress
The site includes maps, photographs, and personal correspondence, along with other searchable items.
The Library of Virginia
provides an online catalog to search the library's catalog, and the Virginia Memory project which contains digitized materials from the library's archives and special collections.
The National Archives
Covers all aspects of American history, including links to important documents and events.
The Smithsonian Institute
This site provides a searchable encyclopedia along with links to other historical information.
Turning the Pages- British Library
Allows you to view classics from their special collections (like original works from Jane Austen or Da Vinci), with the feeling of actually turning the pages, and the assistance of magnification to more easily view the pictures/text.
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