First, what are anarchives?
A library holds collections of books and other printed materials for the people it serves. Archives are similar repositories but differ from libraries in the type of materials held and how they can be accessed. Archives hold both unpublished and published materials in any format.
Materials found in archives are often unique, rare, specialized, or the only ones of their kind. Because the materials in archival collections are unique, the archivists in charge of their care and preservation create specific guidelines on how they can be accessed to protect the collections from damage and theft.
Archival and genealogical materials are unavailable for checkout or Interlibrary Loan.
Certain materials may not be copied. Due to age and condition, the archivists or genealogists will decide if the material can be copied.
As a researcher, you cannot make notes in, highlight, or alter the original works.
Prepare in advance for your trip to your research location. There are a few ways to do this:
Search broadly on websites such as Google. A simple internet search for your topic may bring up an archives’ website or finding aid for a collection of interest.
Search for archives by geographical location. Many genealogy and history societies and small museums do not have the staffing required to create an online catalog. Still, they often have a vast amount of material in their archives. Check if the area your research subject is based in (the location where your ancestor lived, for example) has a community archive or society.
Contact professionals familiar with the area you are researching. Researchers can contact other professionals who are familiar with the area they are researching by contacting local genealogy societies or using the Association of Professional Genealogists’ directory, which can be searched by state, county, country, and repository.
Contact the archives or genealogy library with any questions. Some archives and genealogy libraries limit what you can bring to research. You may or may not be allowed to bring food and drinks to a genealogy library. We request you do not bring in either to our genealogy library.
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