How to do research in History

Library resources for researchers working on American Studies, medieval, early modern, modern history, world-wide

START WITH GOOD KEYWORDS

Topic-specific keywords will help improve your results in a general multidisciplinary database like Google, Google Scholar, HOLLIS, or Academic Search Premier

ADD KEYWORDS LIKE THESE TO YOUR SEARCH

  • History
  • Time period: 19th, "to 1500," "nineteen fifties"
  • Source type: sources, archives, correspondence, narratives, diaries, interviews, “oral histor*”
  • Geographic terms: "United States" 

UPGRADE YOUR SEARCH: KEY DATABASES

The best tool for your project may be a specialized search engine, also known as a database. These databases are subject-specific or format-specific search tools:

America: History & Life (via HarvardKey) -- The top database for secondary sources in North American history. Search tip: Use the Historical Period search boxes to search for articles about a particular time period. 

Historical AbstractsThe top database for secondary sources outside of North America. Search tip: Use the Historical Period search boxes to search for articles about a particular time period.

DIG DEEPER

The Library Research Guide for History provides a helpful overview of resources relevant to historical research.

Databases for History- Explore the full list of Harvard Library databases in this subject category Use the limiters on the right hand side to get more specific.

CONNECT WITH US

Fred Burchsted, the library liaison to History, is available to support researchers via email or in-person consultation.

Service Alert:

  • We're experiencing difficulty with our Research Appointment Request form (under "Meet"). For now, please click on "Email" and describe for us: 
    •  your Harvard affiliation
    • the project you'd like help with
    • whether it's for a particular class, faculty member or department

Chat

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Meet

Talk to a librarian for advice on defining your topic, developing your research strategy, and locating and using sources. Make an appointment now.

These services are intended primarily for Harvard University faculty, staff and students. If you are not affiliated with Harvard, please use these services only to request information about the Library and its collections.