A Guide to African-American Studies Resources in the Special Collections Research Center  Tags: african-american africana black scrc special_collections_research_center  

Special Collections Research Center Access Tools: There are a variety of tools available to guide you in finding materials in the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC). Don't forget that you also may come into the SCRC in person and consult with the staff member on duty for guidance.

The list of resources in this guide is not comprehensive.  The SCRC has many other collections that include some items relating to African-Americans.  Because slavery was such an important part of Virginia life for both the enslaved and the slave owners, most of our antebelllum collections do have some mention of slaves or slavery, whether in letters, diaries, or business records. 

Please keep in mind that the general collections of Swem Library also support research in this subject area, including newspapers, magazines, government documents, published memoirs, etc.  Among the major sources are:

Microfilm:

• Records of Ante-bellum Southern Plantations and the Records, HD1471.U5 R43
• Slavery in Ante-bellum Southern industries, E443.S53
• Slavery: Source Material and Critical Literature (Lost Cause Press), various call numbers
• Black Biographical Dictionaries, 1790-1950, E185.96 B528 1987
• Papers of the NAACP, E184-185 (several different call numbers in that range)
• Records of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, 1895-1992, E185.86 N34
• New Deal Agencies and Black America, E185.5 N48

If you get stuck along the way, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help. Just click the HELP tab at the top of any page in this guide to get contact information for Special Collections Research Center staff.

Swem Library has created other guides that will be of interest to researchers including a Research Paper Writing and Citation Guide, Primary Sources Guide, and Copyright Guide.

Best of luck with your research!