James Madison University
Libraries and Educational Technologies

History

History Guides

Compiled by: Gordon W. Miller Liaison Librarian for History, Philosophy and Religion, Political Science December 2002

---

A historical guide is a tool that lists sources and may also contain essays on how to perform research on the area of discussion. Guides can be confused with bibliographies. A guide will always contain bibliographies but they will have annotated citations and possible essays to assist the researcher. Further confusion may result when the words guide or bibliography occur in the book's title. Guides can be used at the beginning of a research project to get an overview of a subject or to learn how to use a certain type of reference source. They can also be used throughout the research process to identify specific types of sources or key titles useful to one's scholarly investigation.

This handout has guides on United States, medieval, foreign relations, ancient, and general history. Other titles are on the topics of archives/manuscripts, genealogies, and oral histories. Countries and regions are represented by Latin America and the Soviet Union. Guides to government documents for Great Britain and the United Nations are included. Two of the guides were published in 1969. A large number in the 1970's and 1980's. In history it is not as critical as in some disciplines that a guide is current. The quality guides generally are not published on a regular schedule. Carrier Library has more guides to history. A separate handout on BIBLIOGRAPHIES will include some guide-type information. Guides can be located in the subject catalogs by using such subjects as:

Bibliography-Bibliography-History
[Country/Region]-History-Bibliography
Historical research
History-Bibliography
Middle Ages-Bibliography
United States-History-Bibliography Generally the subheading BIBLIOGRAPHY is useful to locate guides. Examples:
History-Bibliography
Oral history-Bibliography

---

Table of Contents

• Guides

---

Guides

Barzun, Jacques, and Graff, Henry F. The Modern Researcher. 4th ed. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1985.
(D 13 B334 1985)

A guide to historical research and writing.

Bengtson, Hermann. Introduction to Ancient History. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press, 1970.
(Ref D 59 B413 1970).

Bibliographical essays on the key primary and secondary sources are a feature. Final chapters list the key reference and journal titles and a select bibliography. Foreign language titles abound. This has been translated from the German--although many English language works have been added. Scholarly.

Blazek, Ron. United States History: A Selective Guide to Information Sources. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 1994.
(Ref E 178 B58 1994).

Along with the Prucha title (below) this guide is the current standard for American history. Seven chapters are sources of general importance. U.S. history - topics and issues, diplomatic history, military history, social and cultural history, regional history, and economic history. An excellent guide highlighted by outstanding annotations.

Brooks, Philip C. Research in Archives: The Use of Unpublished Primary Sources. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1969.
(D 16 B87)

A leading scholar discusses his experiences in using primary sources. Discussion includes such topics as what are private sources, how to locate sources, access and use limitations, and taking notes. For the advance researcher.

Burns, Richard D. Guide to American Foreign Relations Since 1700. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 1983.
(Ref JX 1407 G84 1983).

Comprehensive guide arranged topically, chronologically, and geographically. A scholarly guide, not completely replaced by the Burns guide, is Guide to the Diplomatic History of the United States, 1775-1921 by Samuel F. Bemis and Grace G. Griffin. This guide, published in 1935, is at Ref E 183.7 B468 1935.

Cassara, Ernest. History of the United States of America: A Guide to Information Sources. Detroit: Gale Research, 1977.
(Ref E 178 C33 1977).

Topical and chronologically arranged. Annotated entries, coverage includes such areas as atlases, oral history, archives and libraries. Useful as overview to sources in American history.

Crosby, Everett, U. Medieval Studies: A Bibliographic Guide. New York: Garland, 1983.
(Ref CB 351C75 1983).

This massive annotated bibliograhy is arranged by general topics, geographic areas, and specific subjects. European languages. The standard guide.

DeWitt, Donald L., comp. Guides to Archives and Manuscript Collections in the United States: An Annotated Bibliography. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1994.
(Ref CD 3022 A2 D48 1994).

Over 2,050 published guides to archives mainly in the United States. One chapter notes guides to foreign repositories having United States related holdings. Most sections are topical, e.g. ethnic minorities and women, fine arts collection, political collections, etc. Annotated entries.

Fritze, Ronald H. Reference Sources in History: A Reference Guide. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-Clio, 1990.
(Ref D 20 F75 1990).

This is the current standard guide to history research. Coverage is all geographic areas and time periods. Although the focus is international there is much of interest for the student of American history. Excellent annotations supplement the 685 entries. Topical arrangement.

Grant, Steven A., and Brown, John H. The Russian Empire and Soviet Union: A Guide to Manuscripts and Archival Materials in the United States. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1981.
(Ref DK 17 G74 1981).

Comprehensive guide to original source materials in all types of libraries and historical societies. Entries describe the holdings for each institution. For the advanced scholar.

Grant, Steven A. Scholar's Guide to Washington, D.C. for Russian/Soviet Studies. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1977.
(Ref DK 17 G72 1977).

Annotated lists of various libraries, archives and collection, research centers, etc. For the advanced scholar.

Greenwood, Val D. The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. 3nd ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2000.
(Ref CS 47 G73 2000)

Example of a number of guides to genealogy in Carrier Library. The author attempts to develop an understanding for order and thoroughness in genealogical research. Illustrated examples of types of records are furnished.

Guide to the Study of United States History Outside the U.S., 1945-1980. 5 vol. 1985.
(Ref E 175.8 G85 1985).

Published under the auspices of the American Historical Association this work attempts to list and describe through essays and bibliographies materials and sources on American history in other countries. Archival materials are noted. Foreign languages are included. Useful because much of the material is not covered in bibliographies and indexes in the United States.

Hardy, Lyda M.Women in U.S. History: A Resource Guide. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 2000.
(Ref HQ 1410 H364 2000).

An example of a guide to United States women's history. One section lists sources by chronological period and be category, e.g. women's movement. Other sections include categories as sports, work, historiography, etc.

Havlice, Patricia P. Oral History: A Reference Guide and Annotated Bibliography . Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1985.
(Ref D 16.14 H38 1985).

A brief essay on accessing oral history is followed by a bibliography of books, articles, and dissertations on the subject.

Higham, Robin, ed. A Guide to the Sources of British Military History. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press, 1971.
(Ref DA 50 G85).

Arranged in chronological order in twenty-five chapters. A modified bibliographical essay introduces each chapter. The essays revolve around such topics as modern scholarship, reprint lists and registers, primary sources, etc. A bibliography of cited works completes each chapter.

Higham, Robin, ed. A Guide to the Sources of United States Military History. Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, 1975.
(Ref E 181 G83 1975).

Essays followed by a bibliography are arranged chronologically in the guide. Documents, monographs, and articles and included. A chapter on using "museums as historical resources" is provided. This has been supplemented with additional volumes.

Hill, Edward E., comp. Guide to Records in the National Archives of the United States Relating to American Indians. Washington, D.C.: National Archives Trust Fund Board, 1981.
(Ref E 93 H642 1981).

Arranged by National Archives record groups this guide lists and describes collections available at the Archives. Comprehensive coverage.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Guide to the Manuscript Collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 3rd ed. 1991.
(Ref F 149 H5 1991).

Over 2,100 collections are listed and described. Each entry includes what is in the collection and notes the size and dates of coverage.

Larsen, John C., ed. Researcher's Guide to Archives and Regional Sources. 1988.
(Ref CD 3021 R47 1988).

In fourteen topical chapters Larsen presents issues important to regional historical resources.T These chapters suggest beginning avenues and include some bibliographic sources. Chapter titles include oral history, cartographic sources, business records, etc.

Martin, Fenton S.How to Research Elections. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2000.
(Ref JK 1976 M373 2000).

This annotated guide and bibliography offers comprehensive coverage of American elections. An introductory part lists primary and secondary sources and finding tools. It includes Internet sources. A second part is a bibliography by topics, e.g. campaign finance, voting participation, etc.

Moody, Suzanna, ed. The Immigration Research Center: A Guide to Collections. New York: Greenwood, 1991.
(Ref E 184 A1 U58 1991).

A guide to the major immigration collection at the University of Minnesota. The emphasis is on Central and East European areas but other areas are included. Twenty-four different national groups are included. The laste nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are emphasized. Within each national group there are sections describing individual manuscript collections, a bibliography of monographic holdings, and a list of newspapers.

Morehead, Joe. Introduction to United States Government Information Sources. 6th ed. Littleton, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 1999.
(Ref ZA 5055 U6 M67 1999)

Probably the best introduction to government documents for the beginning researcher. Heavily illustrated with examples of discussed sources. Discusses the Depository Library System, types of government literature, information from the agencies, and legal sources of information.

Neagles, James C. The Library of Congress: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1990.
(Ref E 180 N4 1990).

A comprehensive guide, with annotated bibliography, to the historical collections at the Library of Congress. Arranged in topical and geographical sections. As our de facto national library this guide lists the major sources for American historical research.

Paetow, Louis J. A Guide to the Study of Medieval History. Rev. ed. New York: Kraus Reprint Corporation, 1959.
(Ref D 113 P19 1959).

Scholarly work. Three sections:
I. "General Books." Covers topics as reference works, genealogy, country studies, and locations of original source material.
II. "General History of the Middle Ages." This is a chronological approach.
III. "Medieval Culture." Chronological arrangement. Annotated, with all European languages.

Pemberton, John D. British Official Publications. 2nd rev. ed. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1973.
(Ref CD 1042 P45 1973).

Illustrated guide to British government documents. An emphasis is placed on Parliamentary materials. A discussion of the British national archives and how one can obtain H.M.S.O. publications is described. At Ref CD 1063 F6 1972 is the 3rd edition of A Guide to Parliamentary Papers... this 1972 edition was authored by P. and G. Ford.

Plischke, Elmer. U.S. Foreign Relations: A Guide to Information Sources. Detroit: Gale Research, 1980.
(Ref JX 1407 P52 1980).

Divided into diplomacy and diplomats, conduct of foreign relations, official sources and resources, and memoirs/biographical literature. Broad coverage. Not all citations are annotated. Chapters have brief introductory essays. Books, dissertations, journal articles, and documents.

Poulton, Helen J. The Historian's Handbook: A Descriptive Guide to Reference Works . Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma, 1972.
(Ref D 20 P65 1972).

A bibliographic essay format is used in this excellent guide to historical literature. Eleven chapters discuss the library, national bibliographies, guides and bibliographies, encyclopedias and dictionaries, yearbooks and statistical sources, journal and newspapers, geographical sources, biographical titles, primary sources and dissertations, legal sources, and government publications.

Prucha, Francis P. Handbook for Research in American History: A Guide to Bibliographies and Other Reference Works. 2nd ed. rev. Lincoln, Neb.: University of Nebraska, 1994.
(Ref E 178 P782 1994).

A major guide to American history research. Twenty topical chapters on topics as general guides, guides to newspapers, oral history materials, etc. are featured. Each chapter has an introductory paragraph. Some annotations.

Schick, Frank L.Records of the Presidency: Presidential Papers and Libraries from Washington to Reagan. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1989.
(Ref CD 3029.82 S35 1989).

An excellent guide to researching the presidency and individual presidents. The first section details agencies that work with presidential records, guides to these records, etc. Additional sections look at presidental papers at the Library of Congress, papers in historical societies and special libraries, and the presidential libraries adminstered by the National Archives. Additional guides to aspects of the presidency and presidents include 1) Presidential Libraries and Collections by Fritz Veit (1987) @ Ref CD 3029.82 V45 1987 and 2) A Guide to Manuscripts in the Presidential Libraries compiled by Dennis A. Burton (1985) @ Ref CD 3029.82 B87 1985.

Schmeckebier, Laurence F., and Eastin, Roy B. Government Publications and Their Use . 2nd rev. ed. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 1969.
(Ref Z 1223 A7 S3 1969)

A classic, scholarly, guide to using United States government publication. Bibliographical essay format. The strength of this guide is its attention to detail and notation of aberrations in reference sources.

Slavens, Thomas P. Sources of Information for Historical Research. New York: Neal-Schuman, 1994.
(Ref D 20 S42 1994).

Over 1,100 detailed annotated entries are contained in this guide. Arrangement is by Library of Congress call number. The scope of the work is international. An excellent source for key books used in historical research.

Szucs, Loretto D. The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1988.
(Ref CD 3026 S9 1988).

This is the standard guide to the eleven field branch libraries of the National Archives.

Szucs, Loretto D. The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy. Rev ed. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1997.
(Ref CS 49 S65 1997).

The current standard guide to American genealogy. Detailed with examples.

United States. National Archives and Records Service. Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 2000.
(Ref CS 68 U5 U54 2000).

Comprehensive guide to the record groups at the National Archives. Areas include census and naturalization, military, ethnic groups, land, cartographic, etc. records. Appendices list the record groups and microfilm publications cited.

United States. National Archives and Records Service. Guide to Materials on Latin America in the National Archives of the United States. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1974.
(Ref CD 3028 L37 U54 1974).

Comprehensive listing, by agency, of the records held. Collection size and a bibliography of sources about the record group is provided. An example of the many guides the National Archives publishes for its collections.

United States. National Archives and Records Service. A Guide to Pre-Federal Records in the National Archives. 1989.
(Ref CD 3045 W44 1989).

Most National Archives records are since the Constitution went into effect on March 4, 1789. This lists earlier records, e.g. Continential and Confederation Congresses, Constitutional Convention, Continental Army and Navy records, etc.

United States National Archives and Records Service. Guide to the Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Washington, D.C.: [Government Printing Office], 1995. 3 vol.
(Ref CD 3026 1995)

Guide, by record group, to the major holdings of the National Archives. For each entry there is a statement of the type of material held, the inclusive dates, the linear or cubic feet the record group contains, restrictions on the material, and a bibliography of additional information. Arranged by agency. Click on National Archives for Internet access to the guide.

United States. National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Directory of Archives and Manuscript Repositories in the United States. Washington, D.C.: National Historical Publications and Records Commission, 1978.
(Ref CD 3020 U54 1978)

Arrangement by state. Each entry provides address and telephone contacts, when open, copying facilities, collection subjects, and their holdings. An earlier work edited by Philip M. Hamer entitled A Guide to Archives and Manuscripts in the United States (1961) is located at Ref CD 3022 A45.

Webb, Willaim H.Sources of Information in the Social Sciences: A Guide to the Literature . 3rd ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 1986.
(Ref H 61 W433 S64 1986).

History has one chapter in excellent guide. Annotated sections furnish a topical listing of basic works. Excellent as a source of key journals, societies, and series for historical research.

Wigdor, Alexandra K.The Personal Papers of Supreme Court Justices: Descriptive Guide . New York: Garland, 1986.
(Ref KF 8744 W55 1986).

An example of a guide for researching Supreme Court justices. Alphabetical arrangement by justice. Information includes location, size, access restrictions, provenance, and description of the collection.

Winton, Harry N.M., comp. Publications of the United Nations System: A Reference Guide . New York: R.R. Bowker, 1972.
(Ref JX 1977 W55 1972).

The guide is first arranged by organization. For each entry there is a statement of purpose, list of key publications, and availability sources. A second section furnishes an annotated, topical approach to key reference sources. The final section is an annotated, alphabetical list of periodicals. For a discussion of how to research United Nations materials and the types of sources refer to Fetzer, Mary K. United Nations Documents and Publications: A Research Guide .(JX 1977.8 D6 F47)

 

Have a suggestion? Need Help? Ask Patricia Hardesty -- hardespn@jmu.edu
This page last reviewed by P. Hardesty on 1/9/2009.