M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives - Manuscript Collections at Other Repositories

M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives University Libraries University at Albany

Manuscript Collections at Other Repositories

Patrons looking for archival material at repositories other than the University at Albany M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives should use the following resources:

Bibliographic databases:

These databases are useful for locating archival collections at universities, large public repositories, and other repositories that use their cataloging services. Typically, smaller repositories lack necessary financial resources to catalog in these databases:

Research Libraries Group (RLG): Search for primary source collections in RLG using the Z39.50 Gateway at the NUCMC home page.
Online Computing Library Center (OCLC): Search for primary source collections in OCLC using the Z39.50 Gateway at the NUCMC home page.
National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC): Provides a an overview of NUCMC cataloging plus a link to free searching for primary source collections in RLIN and OCLC.
Archives USA: Search for primary source collections under repository, name or subject as well as NUCMC catalog records. Not as reliable as RLG or OCLC.
WorldCat (OCLC): A comprehensive catalog of bibliographic information, including manuscripts written as early as the 12th century. Useful for locating rare and hard to find publications.
Williams, Geoffrey P. Gateways to the Past: a Guide to Published Sources . Useful for locating unpublished archival and manuscript materials in the Greater Capital District [SPE CD 3404 W55x 1993] Copy in Research Room.

Listings of repositories

These sites provides a list of web sites for archival repsitories, many containing finding aids. Once you have found the location of a particular collection, you can find the repository's web site in the following:

Repositories of Primary Sources: A site at the University of Idaho with over 3000 links to archival repositories throughout the world.
Ready, Net, Go!: provide links to a number of archival resources on the Internet. Good site for finding material outside the United States.
Capital District Library Council (CDLC): provides a guide to repositories in the Greater Capital District of New York State as well as other archival resources.

Search Engines

According to an article in the American Archivist (Summer 2001), Google and Hotbot and the two most successful search engines for locating finding aids to manuscript collections. They are useful for finding colelctions on persons, organizations, and corporate bodies.

Google
Hotbot

Listservs

Archives and Archivists listerv: This list has over 3000 archivists and is useful for locating archival collections and information relating to a specific subject, individual, or organization. To post a message, send a short e-mail to: archives@listserv.muohio.edu.
H-NET: H-Net's e-mail lists function as electronic networks, linking professors, teachers, and students. You must subscribe to the list in order to post a message.

If you are in need of further assistance finding archival material or conducting efficient searching please email bkeough@uamail.albany.edu.

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Last updated April 17, 2006