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Manuscripts & Archives

      In the UW Libraries

Special Collections contains personal papers, organizational records, historic photographs, and University of Washington records. These materials document the history and culture of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. A guide to these collections, Comprehensive guide to the manuscripts collection and to the personal papers in the University archives, published in 1980 is available in Special Collections, Suzzallo Reference, Odegaard Reference and other locations in the UW Libraries. An up-to-date database of holdings is accessible in Special Collections.

• Selected Finding Aids
• Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA)
  "The Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA) provides enhanced access to 2,200 archival and manuscript materials in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington through a union database" finding aids.
• UW Libraries Digital Collections
  Primarily digitized historic photographs documenting Seattle, Northwest, and Alaska history.

      Repositories Located Elsewhere

For a directory and links to more than 5,000 manuscript collections located worldwide see Repositories of Primary Sources and Historical Research in Europe. For time-saving tips on using various repositories see Archives Made Easy. For collections of digitized manuscripts and other primary sources on the web see History on the Web.

• ARC - Archival Research Catalog
  Catalog to the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Includes links to digital copies of some material.
• Archives Hub
  The Archives Hub is a "national gateway to descriptions of archives in UK universities and colleges." Also see Access to Archives Network, ARCHON and the Scottish Archive Network.
• British Library Manuscripts Catalogue
  "This On-line Catalogue is designed to offer a single means of access to the mainstream catalogues of the Department of Manuscripts covering accessions from 1753 to the present day." Printed catalogs of many British Library manuscript collections are available in the UW Libraries.
• CJH Holocaust Resources: An Annotated Bibliography
  Catalog to manuscript collections at the American Jewish Historical Society, the American Sephardi Federation, the Leo Baeck Institute, the Yeshiva University Museum, and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
• National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC)
  Catalog to manuscript collections located throughout the United States.
• Online Archive of California (OAC)
  Collection of searchable finding aids from more than 75 California institutions.