Locating Sources

There are many excellent web resources for British history, which can help you be highly organised before you even get to England.

 

Archives:

  • The National Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
    • the Public Record Office became The National Archives in April, 2003.  The National Archives website will soon (summer 2004) amalgamate the Public Record Office (PRO) and Historical Manuscripts Commission (HMC) websites into one at this address

 

 

  • Historical Manuscripts Commission http://www.hmc.gov.uk
    • contains the ARCHON Directory, an index of contact information for repositories of archives in the UK and around the world
    • contains the ARCHON Portal, which provides practical information for researchers
    • contains the National Register of Archives, information regarding archival collections relating to British history (it has a good “Information Resources” section which offers help researching certain themes in British history)

 

  • Access To Archives (A2A) http://www.a2a.org.uk
    • an incredible resource containing online catalogues from local archives around the UK

 

  • EuroDocs: Primary Historical Documents From Western Europe
    • extensive links to documents available online compiled by Richard Hacken, European Studies Bibliographer, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University
    • contains History of the United Kingdom: Primary Documents http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/eurodocs/uk.html

 

 

Many local archives now have online catalogues as well.  HMC’s ARCHON directory (listed above) will indicate if a particular archive maintains a website.

 

Online Documents:

  • The Avalon Project at Yale Law School: Documents in Law, History, and Diplomacy http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/avalon.htm
    • a good range of medieval and early modern online documents mostly relating to legal and constitutional history.  Many of the pre-18th century documents relate to the American colonies, but there are some European materials as well.

 

  • Public Record Office (PRO) http://www.pro.gov.uk/
    • many full documents online as well – for example, “Medieval Seals Online” needs your help; check it out!

 

Museums:

  • Cornucopia: Discovering UK Collections http://www.cornucopia.org.uk/
    • information on close to 1800 UK museum collections
    • includes open air museums, historic sites, etc., that have some archives and artefacts that will surprise you!

 

  • Museumnet http://www.museums.co.uk/
    • a database of British museums, with links to the museums’ websites
    • not as detailed as Cornucopia, but useful as a general tool

 

Libraries:

  • OCLC WorldCat http://www.library.ualberta.ca/databases/ (access it through the U of A Library Website, under “Databases” – NOTE: it’s listed under O, not under W)
    • an incredible resource including libraries around the world, very easy to navigate
    • also tells you when items are in ESTC – this is crucial for avoiding repetition!

 

 

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