Most of the databases linked from this page are restricted to UW students, staff and faculty. To connect to these databases from home you will need to first click on the Off-Campus Access button in the upper-right hand corner and login.
For research help, please contact Theresa Mudrock, the history librarian, at mudrock@u.washington.edu or Carla Rickerson, the head of Special Collections, at crick@u.washington.edu.
Encyclopedias
What & Why Encyclopedias can provide background information and can be used to identify key people, events and dates which can then be used as search terms for finding additional information. More importantly, because encyclopedias often cover the major issues surrounding the subject, they can help you narrow your research from a broad "who, what, where, when" topic to a "how or why" question. Many also provide a jumpstart on your research by listing related readings.
Find by... Two searchable collections of encyclopedias areGale Virtual Reference and
- Encyclopedia of Japanese American history
Suzzallo Reference -- E184.J3 E53 2001- Encyclopedia of the Cold War
Suzzallo Reference -- D840 .E625 2008- Encyclopedia of World War II
Suzzallo Reference -- D740 .E516 2005- HistoryLink (Washington State history encyclopedia)
Books - Secondary
What & Why Non-fictional books can provide both an overview and indepth analysis of a topic, event or person. Many books will include footnotes and bibliography that can lead you to other research/writings on the topic.
Book reviews can be useful when evaluating a book or to get a quick synopsis. Use the databases listed under "Academic Articles" to find book reviews.
Find by...
- UW Libraries Catalog - holdings of the UW Libraries
- Summit - holdings of academic libraries in Washington & Oregon
- Beta Catalog/WorldCat Local - Beta version of the catalog that simultaneously searches the UW Libraries Catalog, Summit and libraries worldwide plus an article database. Best used for topical searches; facilitates requesting books from other libraries.
Academic/Scholarly Articles
What & Why Academic articles, those published in scholarly journals, are the bedrock of most academic disciplines. In the field of historical research, they are considered secondary sources. They provide an indepth analysis of narrow topics. Prior to publishing, articles are vetted through a process called peer-review. Most articles include footnotes which can lead you to other material on a topic.
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Newspapers
What & Why Newspapers are a primary source providing a first rough draft of events. Newspapers with its advertising, illustrations and editorials are especially useful in getting a feel for life of the time. Since most newspapers are local in scope, there is good coverage of local issues.
Most of the older newspapers do not include indexing. Usually you will need to browse through issues of a newspaper to discover its content.
The Microform and Newspaper Collections on the ground floor of Suzzallo library has microfilmed backfiles of many Washington State newspapers.
Help: Analyzing Newspapers & Newspapers
Find by...
- Japanese-Americans in the Seattle times : December 1, 1941 to October 31, 1945 - mcnews A419 & Special Collections Reference Z1361.J2 L58 1996
- Japanese American soldiers in the Seattle times : December 1, 1941 to October 31, 1945 - mcnews A419 & Special Collections Reference Z1361.J2 L582 1996
- Pacific Northwest Regional Newspaper & Periodical Index - only partially online; Special Collections has complete index.
Selected Newspapers on Microfilm
- Seattle Times - mcnews A419
- Seattle PI - mcnews A329
- Seattle Star - mcnews A2202
- Tacoma News Tribune - mcnews A3953
- Kennewick courier-reporter 1941-1950 - mcnews A7043
- Columbia Basin News 1950-1962 - mcnews A4021
- Tri-City Herald 1949-2008 - mcnews A5106
- Minidoka Irrigator 1942-1945 (part of collection of Japanese camp papers; also available via Densho) - mcnews A6973 reels 17-18
Other (national papers with some coverage of Washington)
Magazines
What & Why Magazines are similar to newspapers. Popular magazines (news, fashion, sports, etc.) provide a good feel for the period. Unlike newspapers, there is indexing to identify specific articles on topics. Since most magazines are national in scope, there is limited coverage of local topics.
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Books - Primary
What & Why In addition to the many books that can be considered secondary sources (analysis or descriptions of the past); the UW Libraries has books that are primary sources -- original accounts written during the time or by participants. These include diaries and letters, memoirs or simply accounts written during the time.
Find by... Search tactics:
- Limit your search by publication date.
- Search for books written by key people or organizations.
- Use special subject terms that designate primary sources:
sources, personal narratives, diaries, correspondence, interviews, church records, probate records, wills, oral historyGovernment Documents
What & Why The UW Libraries has an extensive collection of federal, state and local government documents. These documents are usually primary sources and can include census material, annual reports from governmental agencies and congressional hearings.
Most government material is housed in the Government Publications section on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library. Librarians there can help you find material you need.
Find by...
- UW Libraries Catalog - includes federal, state and local government documents
- War Relocation Authority
- Japanese American evacuation and resettlement records, 1930-1974 [160 reels] - mcnews A10096
- Papers of the U.S. Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians [35 reels] - mcnews A7378
- Records of the War Relocation Authority, 1942-1946: Field Documentation [115 reels] mcnews A9912
Manuscripts
What & Why Manuscript material is unique, unpublished material and can include handwritten diaries and letters plus organization material such as meeting minutes or handouts. Usually it is best to do preliminary research in published material first (secondary and primary) before delving into manuscripts.
Special Collections, located in the basement of Allen Library south, holds the manuscript materials in the UW Libraries.
Find by...
- UW Libraries Catalog - limit your search to publication type: Archival & MS Collections
- Online Finding Aids - less than 10% of the finding aids are available online, for others visit Special Collections
- Northwest Digital Archives - searchable listing of manuscript collections at other PNW libraries
- National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections
Images
What & Why Photographs, drawings and other images provide information you can't always get from a text source. Images can provide details of everyday life such as clothing or architecture.
It is important to keep in mind that images are not an unbiased reflection of reality -- the creator of an image chooses what and how to depict a certain scene.
Find by...
- UW Digital Collections
- Photograph Collections Database - use to find non-digitized photographs within Special Collections
- King County Snapshots
- MOHAI Photos - scroll down to accept copyright restrictions, then you'll get to the search page
- Tacoma Public Library Photo Database
- Seattle Municipal Archives photos
Websites
What & Why More and more primary sources are becoming available on the web as museums, universities and other institutions digitize materials.
Find by...
- Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest
- Densho - Japanese American oral histories; registration required
- Hanford Declassified Document Retrieval System
- JARDA - Japanese American Relocation Digital Archives
- PNW History - list of websites dealing with PNW history
History Subject Page :: Special Collections :: Chicago Style Guide :: UW Libraries :: Research 101
8 July 2008
Theresa Mudrock - mudrock@u.washington.edu :: Carla Rickerson - crick@u.washington.edu
