19th Century U. S. Newspapers Digital Archive

Digital images for hundreds of 19th century United States newspapers. Includes The Galveston Daily News (Texas' oldest newspaper) from 1874 until 1897.*

American Civil War: Letters and Diaries

This database of primary source material contains over two thousand authors and approximately one hundred thousand pages of diaries, letters and memoirs.*

American Civil War: Research Database

Online resource for researching the soldiers, regiments, and battles of the American Civil War contains indexed, searchable information on over four million soldiers and thousands of battles, together with fifteen thousand photographs.*

American Decades

Decades covers the events, people and social trends that have had impact on contemporary history. Covers the decades from 1900-2009.*

American Music

American Music is a history database that allows people to hear and feel the music from America's past. The database includes songs by and about American Indians, miners, immigrants, slaves, children, pioneers, and cowboys. Included in the database are the songs of Civil Rights, political campaigns, Prohibition, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, anti-war protests, and more. *

Ancestry Library (temporary remote access)

The library version of the Ancestry.com database, one of the largest collections of family history data online. It includes census, vital, military, and immigration records, as well as newspaper articles and city directories. Note: Temporary remote access has been generously provided by ProQuest and Ancestry through June 30, 2021.  *

Ancestry Library Edition (In Library Use Only)

The library version of the Ancestry.com database, one of the largest collections of family history data online. It includes census, vital, military, and immigration records, as well as newspaper articles and city directories.*

Atlanta Daily World Historical Archive

The Atlanta Daily World had the first black White House correspondent and was the first black daily in the nation in the 20th century. Search full text from 1931 to 2003.*

Bibliography of Native North Americans

Contains citations covering all aspects of native North American culture, history, and life. *

Civil War Era

Includes the full text of 13 regional newspapers from all sides of the conflict from 1840-1865 as well as 2,000+ slavery, anti-slavery Civil War pamphlets published beween 1852 and 1918.*

Civil War: Sources in U.S. History

This digital archive examines the war; its battles and campaigns, the home front and the military campground, from its causes to its consequences.*

Credo Complete Core Collection

A general reference resource that serves as a starting point for students and researchers at any level. Content includes over 1100 major encyclopedias, dictionaries and other specialized reference works spanning across all subject areas.*

CultureGrams

CultureGrams goes beyond basic facts and figures on more than 200 countries, detailing daily life and culture, history, customs, and lifestyles. The States Edition describes the diversity and history of each U.S. state and includes maps, flags and symbols.*

EBSCOhost eBooks

Read e-books on all subjects including some vocational textbooks, technical manuals, and Texas history. Note: downloadable e-books available by remote use only.*

Encyclopedia of African American History, 1896-Present Day (For Remote Users)

An online reference book tracing the transition from the Reconstruction Era to the age of Jim Crow, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, and including the 2008 election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.*

Encyclopedia of African American History, 1896-Present Day (In Library Version)

An online reference book tracing the transition from the Reconstruction Era to the age of Jim Crow, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, and including the 2008 election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.*

Encyclopedia of Human Rights (For Remote Users)

An electronic reference book offering comprehensive coverage of all aspects of human rights theory, practice, law, and history. Focusing primarily on developments since 1945 coverage includes major figures, organizations and institutions, human rights events and crises, and human rights norms.*

Encyclopedia of Human Rights (In Library Version)

An electronic reference book offering comprehensive coverage of all aspects of human rights theory, practice, law, and history. Focusing primarily on developments since 1945 coverage includes major figures, organizations and institutions, human rights events and crises, and human rights norms.*

Findmypast (Available at Clayton Library Only)

Local and national British and Irish genealogical records including parish, census, and military collections and passenger lists.  Local English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish records dating back to 1700, including school admissions, workhouse registers, apprenticeship records, and Irish court records. Also includes records from United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pacific Islands, and Papua New Guinea.

Fold3

This database contains almost 40 million images of primary source materials from the United States Military and other historic archives. Many are available here for the first time.*

Gale Product Menu

Search all the databases supplied to Houston Public Library by Gale at once or browse resources by category. Includes ebooks, literary research, periodicals, primary sources, and business tools. Search for any term or phrase and find articles from thousands of magazines, journals, newspapers, documents, and ebooks along with videos, images and podcast content. (formerly called Gale PowerSearch) *

Gale Virtual Reference Library

Full-text reference books on topics including biography, business, the environment, history, law, literature, social sciences, medicine, religion, the sciences, and multicultural studies.*

HeritageQuest Online (In Library Use)

A comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids. It delivers an essential collection of genealogical and historical sources—with coverage dating back to the 1700s—that can help people find their ancestors and discover a place’s past. The collection consists of five core data sets: U.S. Federal Censuses, Genealogy and local history books, Revolutionary War Records, Freedman’s Bank Records, The LexisNexis U.S. Serial Set *

HeritageQuest Online (Remote Users)

A comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids. It delivers an essential collection of genealogical and historical sources—with coverage dating back to the 1700s—that can help people find their ancestors and discover a place’s past. The collection consists of five core data sets: U.S. Federal Censuses, Genealogy and local history books, Revolutionary War Records, Freedman’s Bank Records, The LexisNexis U.S. Serial Set *  

Historical Annual Reports

Over 800 companies' annual reports (1844-current) available through searchable PDF images.*

Historical Newspapers

Search the historical archives of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Defender, Atlanta Daily World, and New York Amsterdam News at one time.*

HistoryGeo (Available at Clayton Library Only)

Contains land-ownership maps, historical atlases and other content indispensable for recreating frontier neighborhoods and tracking migrations of families across the United States. This resource is made available by the Clayton Library Friends.

HistoryMakers Digital Archive

The nation’s largest African American video oral history collection. Biographies and video interviews with over 2500 notable African American history makers. Tip for remote users: To log in, search for and select Houston Public Library in the institution field on the left, then enter your library card number. (Works best with Chrome, Safari, and Firefox browsers.) *

Military & Government Collection

Articles from periodicals related to the military.*

New York Amsterdam News Historical Archive

A leading Black newspaper of the 20th century, especially the 1940s. Search fulltext from 1922 to 1993.*

New York Times Historical Archive

Full page view of the New York Times from its first issue in 1851 through 2014.*

NewspaperArchive

Access to this resources is temporarily unavailable.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

Access the largest online historic newspaper archive, containing millions of searchable newspaper pages from Texas and the Southeast United States, dating as far back as the 1700s. Includes digital images of issues of the Houston Post (1903-1924), the Daily Court Review (1925-1977), and many other Texas and out-of-state small-market newspapers. (*Note: Remote access available to customers with MyLink cards beginning with 77422.... Other Cardholders please contact Circulation Administration to request a card number change, 832-393-2222.)

Oxford Companion to World Exploration (For Remote Users)

An online reference e-book that offers information on all topics of exploration worldwide, including advances in navigation, the discovery of the New World, polar expeditions, and the space age. In addition to examining the lives and expeditions of heroic and influential explorers, the book covers navigational and marine sciences and ranges from ancient cultures through modern space exploration.*

Oxford Companion to World Exploration (In Library Version)

An online reference e-book that offers information on all topics of exploration worldwide, including advances in navigation, the discovery of the New World, polar expeditions, and the space age. In addition to examining the lives and expeditions of heroic and influential explorers, the book covers navigational and marine sciences and ranges from ancient cultures through modern space exploration.*

Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt (For Remote Users)

An online reference e-book offering the most complete picture available of ancient Egyptian civilization, from the pre-dynastic era to its eclipse in the seventh century CE. Here is the Egyptian world in illuminating, accessible detail: art, architecture, religion, language, literature, trade, politics, everyday social life and the culture of the court.*

Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt (In Library Version)

An online reference e-book offering the most complete picture available of ancient Egyptian civilization, from the predynastic era to its eclipse in the seventh century CE. Here is the Egyptian world in illuminating, accessible detail: art, architecture, religion, language, literature, trade, politics, everyday social life and the culture of the court.*

Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History (For Remote Users)

An online reference e-book international in scope and spanning all time periods of human history, articles range from entries on inventors, theoreticians, and industry leaders to overarching essays on markets, industries, and labor with coverage ranging from accounting and advertising to zoning and zoos. *

Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History (In Library Version)

An online reference e-book international in scope and spanning all time periods of human history, articles range from entries on inventors, theoreticians, and industry leaders to overarching essays on markets, industries, and labor with coverage ranging from accounting and advertising to zoning and zoos. *

Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States (For Remote Users)

An online reference e-book offering comprehensive, reliable, and accessible information about the fastest growing minority population in the United States. The Encyclopedia draws together the diverse historical and contemporary experiences in the United States of Latinos and Latinas from around the world by addressing such broad topics as identity, art, politics, religion, education, health, and history.*

Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States (In Library Version)

An online reference e-book offering comprehensive, reliable, and accessible information about the fastest growing minority population in the United States. The Encyclopedia draws together the diverse historical and contemporary experiences in the United States of Latinos and Latinas from around the world by addressing such broad topics as identity, art, politics, religion, education, health, and history.*

Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History (For Remote Users)

An online reference book covering the entire history of seafaring, from ancient Egyptian shipbuilders to the nuclear submarines and supertankers of today placing maritime affairs in their larger historical context.*

Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History (In Library Version)

An online reference book covering the entire history of seafaring, from ancient Egyptian shipbuilders to the nuclear submarines and supertankers of today placing maritime affairs in their larger historical context.*

Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History (For Remote Users)

An online reference book that comprehensively covers the role women have played throughout world history with over 650 biographies of influential women and over 600 topical articles covering topics such as geography and history, culture and society, organizations, movements, and gender studies.*

Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History (In Library Version)

An online reference book that comprehensively covers the role women have played throughout world history with over 650 biographies of influential women and over 600 topical articles covering topics such as geography and history, culture and society, organizations, movements, and gender studies.*

Sunday Times Historical Archive

The Sunday Times of London has consistently provided thoughtful analysis and commentary on the week's British and international news and society at large. This Historical Archive includes full-text digital facsimiles of The Sunday Times covering 1822, the start of the newspaper, to 2006. *

Texas Digital Sanborn Maps

Sanborn maps are historical large scale plans of a city drawn at a scale of 50 feet to an inch. These maps are used to trace the history and development of cities and are also helpful in genealogical and historical research. Select Texas from the State menu to begin your search. *

Texas Reference Center

Full text journals and books about Texas history, biography, ethnic & cultural diversity, gender studies, literature, public health, business as well as home & garden and sports & leisure.*

Times Digital Archive

The Times of London has covered all major British and international events since the 1780s. This Digital Archive includes full-text digital facsimiles of every daily issue from 1785 to 2014.*

50states.com

Extensive information on all 50 of the United States.

Any Day in History

Find out about historic events and birthdates that occurred on a selected day.

Architectural Archives Database at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center

This Houston Public Library collection contains records of architectural drawings owned by the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, primarily for structures in the Houston area.

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Statistics on crime and criminals, victims, and the justice system.

Census Data

Access data and digital content from the U.S. Census Bureau in one centralized place. United States coverage includes Puerto Rico and the island Territories. This resource replaces American FactFinder.  For tips, see: https://www.census.gov/  Firefox browser is recommended.

Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers

Search and read newspapers from 1836-1922 and find information about American newspapers from 1690-present. Includes The Houston Daily Post (12/1/1893--2/28/1903) and The Jewish Herald (Houston) (9/24/1908--12/29/1910).

CIA World Factbook

Information on countries around the world.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD is the Federal agency responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, improve and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws. HUD's mission is to create a decent home and suitable living environment for all Americans, and it plays a major role in supporting homeownership by underwriting homeownership for lower- and moderate-income families through its mortgage insurance programs.

Digital Public Library of America

The DPLA offers a single point of access to millions of items--photographs, manuscripts, books, sounds, moving images, and more--from libraries, archives, and museums around the United States.

Handbook of Texas Online

Encyclopedia of Texas history, geography, and culture.

Houston History

Brief overview of Houston's history from 1836 to present.

Houston Oral History Project

Houston Oral History Project is an effort to record and preserve the dynamic history of Houston through the stories and experiences of its residents. It is a collaboration between the Mayor's Office, Houston Public Library and University of Houston.

Houston Public Library Digital Archives

Unique materials for research, learning, and discovery from our Special Collections, including archival material from the African American Library at the Gregory School, the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, and the Houston Metropolitan Research Center. Some collections are the result of collaborations with partner libraries, museums, and cultural heritage institutions.

Internet Archive

The Internet Archive is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Includes access to websites dating back to 1995 as well as a digital library of free books, music, and movies.

Library of Congress African American History Digital Collections

Explore the rich history of African Americans through the Library of Congress's digitized collections of documents, photographs, records, oral histories, films and other historically significant resources.

Library of Congress Digital Collections

The Digital Collections of the Library of Congress provide free and open access to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. Browse through collections in dozens of catagories or search for something specific.

Making of America

Making of America (MoA) is a digital library of primary sources in American social history from the antebellum period through reconstruction.

Photographic Archives: Houston Metropolitan Research Center Collection

Contains records of over 2,200 images. This Houston Public Library collection highlights historical events and provides glimpses into everyday life in Houston from the 1860s to the 1960s.

Portal to Texas History

Digitalized rare, historical, and primary source materials covering the whole gamut of Texas history from prehistory to the present day. The Texas Digital Newspaper collection within the portal includes images of issues from The Houston Informer (1919-1924), Houston Daily Post (1893-1918), The Houston Post (1923-1924), Houston Post-Dispatch (1924-1925), and other Houston area newspapers, along with all known Republic of Texas Era newspapers. You may discover anything from an ancestor's picture to a rare historical map.

POTUS

Information on United States Presidents, including biographical information on the Presidents, their Vice Presidents, and Cabinet members; elections, notable events in their terms, images and video; as well as links to other resources.

Salem Witchcraft in 1692: A Bibliography

This is a list of sources with historical and other background information on the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Federal agency dedicated to advancing mental and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services in order to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders and their families and reduce the impact of substance misuse and mental illness on America's communities. Offers links to resources for treatment as well as information for family and community members.

Texas Archival Resources Online

Searchable database of finding aids to archival materials in Texas, including those of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center.

Texas Institute for the Preservation of History & Culture

African Americans have contributed significantly in all facets of the building of the Lone Star State — its infrastructure, image, and culture. For that, the Texas Institute for the Preservation of History and Culture is charting every aspect of the black experience in Texas as an online encyclopedia.

The African American Story: Texas State History Museum

Selection of stories about African Americans in early Texas.

World Leaders

Weekly updated online directory of foreign government officials published by the Central Intelligence Agency.