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Family History and Genealogy : Library Sources

History Reference Works: Amerian Decades Search Tool

 

Click here and scroll down to the database titled History Reference Works.

 

 

You can search a topic using the keyword box, but first, check out the "Decades" search tool below:

You can choose a decade based upon your family history and explore many topics and themes having to do with that decade. This will give you more information to look at and also, you will come across topics, events, and people that you might want to ask your family members about and get their take on how they remember those topics. Articles can be emailed or saved to your computer (or printed out).

Also, the Library has two main History databases: GaleOneFile: U.S. History and GaleOneFile: World History. You can use these to find out information for the U.S., such as opioid crisis or to search topics from foreign countries, such as China and lockdown.

Both of these databases can be found on This Page.

Other Databases to Search

Search All

We can search the library "Search All" search box on the library home page (link below) for information about cities, states, countries, ethnic communities – and also certain topics related to culture, such as religious customs, cuisine, music, sports, etc. You will see eBooks, print books in the library, and articles. You can use these sources to help you learn more about a topic that relates to your family's experience and then you can interview family members about these topics. The combination of  your own research together with personal interviews creates a unique body of information for you project.

 

Search using keywords or short phrases (not sentences). Try combining terms in the search box, such "Turkey and history" or  "Haiti and Earthquake."

Topics to explore

Family Tree (marriages, births, elders) - think about the journey that your ancestors, parents, etc. have made to bring them to where they are now. What were the life-changing events that made them leave one place or choose their own direction in life. How did your parents meet? 

Language

Clothing

Education

Music

Religion

Cuisine

Religious or Ethnic Holidays or important ceremonies of your family's culture

Life Changing events, such as wars, famine, natural disasters, 

Use the search bar on the library home page to find materials. Try searching with simple keywords or phrases such as "Cuba," 

 "Creole language," "Baptist Church," Civil War."

Library Home Page

Use the search bar above to combine terms such as: India and Arranged Marriage