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What is the difference between an archive and a library?
- Archives
- Original records: Photos, journals, letters, artifacts, documents
- Organized differently than libraries
- Use finding aids to locate records
- Most of the collection is kept out of view of the public
- Records kept for long or short periods
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- Stricter rules to access materials
- Manuscript collections
- Digitized collections
- Libraries
- Derivative or compiled sources: Books, periodicals, clipping files, microfilm
- Organized alphabetically, by the Dewey Decimal System, or unique to the library
- Easier to find and search materials – use the card catalog
- Collections are in library stacks that can be browsed and viewed by the public
- Published records
- Books, microfilms, maps
- Manuscript collections
- Digitized collections
Where can I find archives and libraries?
- Determine what kind of record you are trying to find, and what kind of repository would house it
- Federal
- State or territorial
- Local
- Specialized
- Original or derivative
- Google search
- State and national archives
- Corporate archives
- Local libraries
- WorldCat and ArchiveGrid – Search using a zipcode to find repositories in a geographic area
- Linkpendium – U.S. archives and libraries organized by locality
- Repositories of Primary Sources – Links to over 5,000 worldwide archives, organized by locality
- LibWeb – Over 8,000 pages for libraries in 146 countries
How can I find out what is in their collections?
- Search the digital portal for digitized collections
- Search the online catalog for records available online using:
- Surname
- Locality
- Friends, associates, neighbors, in-laws, business partners
- Occupations
- Subjects (such as religion, ethnic group, or record group)
- Get help from an archivist or librarian, online or in person
How can I access a record?
- Was it digitized somewhere else?
- Internet Archive
- WorldCat – filter by eBook or downloadable archival material
- FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, etc.
- Is it available through inter-library loan?
- Contact the repository to see if they loan materials
- Contact your local public or academic library to initiate the loan
- Write and request a copy
- Call first and see what they require
- Include payment and a SASE
- Hire a researcher
- Contact the repository for a list of researchers
- Contact a local genealogy society
- Find an accredited or certified genealogist
- Visit the archive or library
- Print out the source reference
- Use the online catalog to prepare a “to do” list
- Look up library hours and holidays
- Bring I.D., camera, pencil, research log, flash drive
- Be prepared for the use of electronic equipment, but also no electronic equipment
Additional Help
- Google search for “Primary source tutorial”
- Find a guidebook for the repository
- On their website
- FHL microfilm
- Google or WorldCat
- Send for one
- Printed catalogs are available for archives and record collections
- Consult the reference book area of a genealogical library
- Digital versions of Red Book and The Source on Ancesty.com Family History Wiki
- FamilySearch Family History Research Wiki
On Granny's Trail 