ADDITIONAL SOURCES

Local, regional, and State libraries with collections pertaining to local and regional history, city directories, genealogical collections, photograph collections, and newspapers on microfilm. Inquire about interlibrary loans from distant libraries.

Local and regional branches of the National Archives: census data, Federal survey maps, and guides to collections.

Museums; local, regional, county, and State historical societies and museum associations for valuable publications, files, tours, photograph collections, architectural history collections, local histories, and ephemera.

State Archives and Records Management Offices sometimes contain county assessor's property tax records, as well as other information.

Statewide or nationwide historical and genealogical societies.

Statewide historic preservation organizations.

Universities and colleges: photograph collections, architectural history collections, map and periodical collections, and manuscripts and archives collections. Some universities and colleges have preservation or architecture programs. Frequently, their students will have done surveys of local resources and local history as class projects. They may also be a good source of suggestions about further research possibilities for your specific property.

It should be stressed that much of what is known is still in private ownership. Interviewing past or present property owners, long-time residents, or former staff or employees is often one of the best means of locating information. Very often historical societies, museums, genealogical societies, and pioneer associations can be helpful in locating previous owners or their descendants. Manuscripts, papers, scrapbooks, diaries, and private photograph albums are often the most valuable sources you can investigate.