Search Tips

Looking for history in our archives can be a daunting but rewarding experience. We've assembled a few tips aimed at helping those in the teaching profession make the most out of our archive.

• Be specific



The single best tip we can give is to be specific as you can.
If you're looking for a first-hand account on the German invasion of Poland in 1939, don't search for Germany and Poland. you'll get too many results.




Instead, search for Germany and Poland and Invasion and limit your search to September 1 of 1939.




• Remember your subject



When you search through our database, keep in mind that a reporter writes a story as it happens. Newspapers hold all sorts of valuable information, but finding the right stories for your students may prove difficult. Keep your subject in mind when researching a topic. When teaching Henry Miller, "tropic of cancer" may be too broad:




Try adding "novel" so that results without the word are ignored:



• Save your searches



When you find a search string that works for you, save it! This makes it much easier to renew and revise your search later. This is a member benefit that allows you to put either a search string or a search result in your filing cabinet. Look for the "Save Search" button on your Search Results page like this:




And when you click it, this pop-up box will appear, allowing you to name your search:




• LiveHelp



If you are a member and there is something you are looking for that you cannot find, but are sure must be in the archives, log in and then the Live Help Button will show up in the in the upper right hand corner of every page. Click on the chat button to ask for help from one of our site content experts. They can't do full time research for you, but they might have an extra tip or two to help you find a particular story.