Welcome to your Pacific Northwest History Project!

Print Resources, Databases, Recommended Internet Sites, Museums

We will be discussing lots of ways to gather information on topics in history and focusing on some great research strategies. Review the information below when you have questions or if you get stuck.

Project Handouts and Resources

7th Grade History Site on TarrierApps (check here for updates on the final project... for research information look below)

Topic Choices

Topic Choice Form

Research Calendar with Homework and Due Dates

Research Plan Worksheet

General Bibliography Directions and Annotated Bibliography Sample with reminders

Research and Annotated Bibliography Grading Rubric

Skip down the page to:

Print Resources, Databases, Internet Resources, Museums

Research Strategies

  1. Be Diverse
    • Look for and use QUALITY resources from a variety of sources, perspectives and time periods.
      • Use Databases
        • Remember that each database may require different search techniques. If one doesn't work for you, try another.
      • Use Primary Sources
      • Go to the library
        • Our library has a number of resources on the Pacific Northwest. The Tacoma Public Library has incredible resources at the Northwest Room and your own local library may have great sources of information.
  2. Be Flexible
    • Spend time exploring your topic before you settle on a specific area of research. What you think you might want to do may be really difficult to research and you might discover you're really interested in something else.
    • Use different keyword terms when searching
      • Keep a list of words that "work" and those that don't
      • Combine different terms to gather more resources. Remember that authors may refer to the same event, person or object using different terms.
    • Don't get stuck! (or if you do, get unstuck quick)
      • If you are frustrated with one resource or can't find what you want, ASK FOR HELP and/or Use your research plan!
      • If you can't get help right away, try other resources, such as those listed below.
      • You might need to BROADEN or NARROW your topic. If you get too specific, you might find that resources are hard to locate. If your topic is too broad, you might be overwhelmed with resources and be unable to focus on what you really need.
  3. Be Deep

Finding Print Resources

1. Check the BOOK CART in the lab for books and the topic folder on your topic OR search the library catalog.

2. Browse the SHELVES

Recommended Database Resources

1. Use the History In Context

2. You may also want to try Britannica Online and eLibrary. They may have background information or current news that will help you understand your topic.

3. For Historic Images and other Primary Source documents try DocsTeach.org or the Northwest History Database.

Recommended Internet Sites

Below you will find some internet resources to use in your Pacific Northwest History research project. These resources are absolutely wonderful. All have lists of web sites in various categories. Most of the topics that you have chosen are represented in one or more of the sites. All of the resources are published by trusted, respected sources (such as universities and historical societies).

NOTE: Use these resources FIRST. If you think you need to use the search the internet, check with Ms. Harris or Ms. Petrich before you begin.

Historylink.org is "the online encyclopedia of Washington State history." Every topic you can think of is represented here. You will use this resource to explore topics before you choose your top three and you will use it when you begin research on the topic you have been assigned.

NEW: University Of Washington Digital Collections is the new home for the old Pacific Northwest History site (thought it is still avialable for now). This site is from the University of Washington libraries and contains a smorgasbord of information relating to Pacific Northwest History. Use the links to the special exhibits on the main page, or go to the subjects list to find your area of research. There are many primary sources in the Digital Collections section.

DocsTeach.org from the National Archives includes over 3,000 primary source documents online. This is a fabulous resource for sites!

Washington State Historic Newspapers from the Washington State Library. There are lots of primary sources here. You need a special plug-in to view these newspapers. It has been installed on the computers in the MS Lab.

The Northwest History Database is loaded with newspaper clippings from the early 20th century. The clippings were collected during the 1930s and have recently been made available to you online. Most of these are primary sources.

Tacoma Past and Present We will be visiting the Northwest Room at the Tacoma Public Library Main branch. Check out this site to gather information before you go and to explore the many important resources on Pacific Northwest History you can access online.

Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest This site is also from the University of Washington, but is organized by the Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest. There are some equally scrumptious resources here, but you might need to do a little exploring. Check out the “Resources” section and then go to “Curriculum Materials” where you can download whole packets of information on different topics and also check out the “Annotated Resources” section which has a bunch of sites on topics not covered on the library page.

Pacific Northwest This site is from Seattle Pacific University Library and also contains links to sites focusing on Pacific Northwest History. This information is great – check it out!

Recommended Museum Websites

Museums are amazing sources of information on historical topics. Since you will be creating your own web site on your topic, you need to visit museum web sites to find out how information is presented.

NOTE: even if a web site isn't listed, use Google to search for the museum and you may find a web site.

NEW! Image Sites:

Digital Collections at UW

DocsTeach.org

American Memory at the Library of Congress

The Northwest Room has "Photo Archives" and a "South Sound Photo Album" as well as a "Postcard Database.

Sites that might be helpful for your web site:

Measuring Worth an historic currency converter that will tell you how much a certain amount of money is worth through the ages.