Research Methods for Historians

• List of national and state libraries

Once you have identified a likely archive or library, it's helpful to locate a guide or inventory of the collection(s). While more and more archives have web sites and online catalogs, in some cases you will need to consult a printed guide.

• Check the web site of the library or archive to see if they have online descriptions or inventories of their collections.
• To find printed guides, search the library catalog for the name of the collection and the word catalogs

United States

• Library of Congress
• National Archives
  See Research at the National Archives for information on catalogs and finding aids. And consult the Guide to Federal Records OR the printed Guide to federal records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette with Anne B. Eales ... [et al.]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995. Trustee Reading Room Reference (DR) CD3026 1995.
• Articles describing archives and manuscript collections in the United States: an annotated bibliography. Compiled by Donald L. DeWitt. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1997.
• Directory of Corporate Archives in the United States and Canada

Canada

• National Archives of Canada

Europe (General)

• Historical Research in Europe: a guide to libraries and archives

United Kingdom

• National Archives

Ireland

• National Library of Ireland

France

• Bibliotheque Nationale
• Archives Nationales