US Civil War:
Selected Resources

Search Tips for Locating More Materials

In addition to the online collections and print sources listed in other sections of this guide, individual items relating to the American Civil War can be found in some of the Library's search systems. This section suggests search terms to try and relevant search systems in which to try them.

Search Terms

Standardized subject headings for materials relating to the American Civil War include:

• UNITED STATES-HISTORY-CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865
• SECESSION-SOUTHERN STATES
• CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

Within these categories are further subject divisions, such as UNITED STATES-HISTORY--CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865--CAMPAIGNS.

Also search under:

• Names of places (e.g., ALABAMA--HISTORY--CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865-CAVALRY OPERATIONS; CHARLESTON (S.C.)--HISTORY--CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865--FICTION.)
• Names of battles (e.g. , GETTYSBURG, BATTLE OF, GETTYSBURG, PA., 1863)
• Names of individuals prominent in the Civil War (e.g., LEE, ROBERT E. (ROBERT EDWARD), 1807-1870)
• Names of vessels (e.g., MONITOR (IRONCLAD)

Table of Contents

Overview
Digital Resources
     Maps
     Music and Sound Recordings
     Photographs
     Resource Guides
     For Teachers & Young Audiences
     Text
     Webcasts
External Resources
Selected Bibliography
Search Tips

Some search systems also offer a keyword search capability, that may have uncontrolled terms such as:

• CIVIL WAR
• WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
• WAR OF REBELLION

Search Systems

American Memory - U.S. historical and cultural collections from the Library of Congress and other institutions - Start searching | More Information

Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers - search and read newspaper pages from 1900-1910 and find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present - Start searching | More information

Handbook of Latin American Studies - A bibliography on Latin America consisting of works selected and annotated by scholars - Start searching | More information

Library of Congress Online Catalog - More than 14 million bibliographic records for books, journals and periodicals, electronic resources, manuscripts, maps and cartography, music, prints and photographs, and sound recordings held by the Library of Congress - Start searching | More information

The Library of Congress Presents Music, Theater, and Dance - Experience the diversity of music, theater and dance through the Library of Congress's unsurpassed collections of scores, sheet music, audio recordings, films, photographs, maps, and other materials - Start searching | More information

Prints & Photographs Online Catalog - Descriptions for about 50% of Prints & Photographs Division holdings; many accompanied by digital images - Start searching | More information

THOMAS legislative Information System (legislation, Congressional activity) - Current and historical information on the U.S. Congress and its proceedings - Start searching | More information