Women's History Research in Archives : Primary Sources
Published Archival Materials
Before the online era, archives frequently reproduced papers and records in published collections. Additionally, many archives published collections of papers in order to support the development of gender and women's studies and women's history scholarship in the 1970s. Many academic libraries have books or microfilm collections of archival papers relevant to gender and women's history.
Search the library catalog for reproductions of archival papers in books or on microfilm.
TRY THESE TERMS
Search for terms relevant to your research focus and:
- Personal Narrative - subject term for letters and diaries
- Sources - subject term for archival sources
- Documentary - often included in the title of published archival sources
- Microfilm - usually included in the title of a guide to a microfilm collection
- Microform - the format term for a collection of microfilm
Ask your local academic librarian for assistance if you need help with these kinds of advanced searches.
Exhibits and Items Online
Many archives and special collections have digitized some of their holdings for access online.
Only a small amount of archival materials are digitized and available online but they are also selected for high research value.
SEARCH FOR DIGITIZED MATERIALS ONLINE
Find the websites of individual archives and special collections that specialize in your research topic. Look for digital collections on their sites and look for materials related to women and gender within them.
Google the terms related to your topic and "digital collection" or "exhibit."
SOME PLACES TO START:
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Discovering American Women's History OnlineLibrary of Congress database provides access to digital collections of primary sources (photos, letters, diaries, artifacts, etc.) that document the history of women in the U.S.
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Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in AmericaSchlesinger Library at Harvard has a robust digitization program that makes manuscript collections, books, periodicals, and photographs available to researchers.
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Sophia Smith Collection of Women's HistoryPart of the Smith College Digital Collections, includes an audiovisual portion as well as papers, photos, and other physical media.
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Women's Liberation Movement Print CultureManifestos, speeches, essays, and other materials documenting various aspects of the Women's Movement in the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s.
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Working Women 1800-1930An exploration of women's impact on the economic life of the U.S. between 1800 and the Depression - working conditions, workplace regulations, home life, cost of living, commerce, recreation, health, hygiene, and social issues.
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Digital Public Library of AmericaMake millions of materials from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions across the country available to all.
More on Primary Sources
See the UW-Madison libraries' guide to primary sources.