Michigan eLibrary and Gale Launch Michigana, Sources in U.S. History Online

This Michigan history resource looks really good. I played around in it for a few days last week and found some very interesting data. I especially loved the biographies section.

But what I found most intriguing (and useful!) was the online book called "The emigrant’s handbook, and guide to Wisconsin, comprising information respecting agricultural and manufacturing employment, wages, climate, population &c. : sketch of Milwaukee, the queen city of the lakes : its rise and progress : business and population : list of public offices, with a full and accurate table of statistical information of that and other ports on lake Michigan : also, table of routes from New York, Boston, &c. ..."

It was fascinating and even though the focus was Wisconsin, it gave me a much better idea of what my ancestors faced on leaving their homelands and sailing across to America in that time period.

The table of routes was invaluable and I'd most likely not found it any other way.

I found this book by using their list of Subjects (Topics). I chose Emigration & Immigration and then browsed the titles that are in that category. Very easy, very fast. I plan to go back and do some more exploring, as there are other ways to find what you are interested in

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Here is the Press Release for this resource:

New Resource Provides Online Access to Michigan History at www.MeL.org

Farmington Hills, Mich. – Michigan eLibrary (MeL), and Gale, part of Cengage Learning, announced the launch of Michigana, Sources in U.S. History Online, an online resource providing access to primary source documents and contextual essays for the study of Michigan history.

Michigana: Sources in U.S. History Online contains valuable and authoritative content packaged with an engaging user interface, allowing students and researchers multiple ways of accessing historical information.

“We are pleased to make Michigana available to all Michigan residents through Michigan eLibrary,” said Nader Qaimari, Gale’s senior vice president of market strategy. “This resource includes state and regional histories, biographies, historical maps, speeches and more. It is a treasure trove for anyone interested in Michigan history.”

Michigana: Sources in U.S. History Online provides access to primary source documents in an online system that is easily accessible by students and researchers of all levels. For example, a user may enter a search term such as Fort Mackinac to find all references to that word or phrase found on any page within the database. Or a student may choose a subject term from the listing of top subjects that are listed on the home page to quickly find all works that are closely related to that person, place or event – for example, William Hull or railroads.

Another way to access the content is through contextual essays that have been written by Michigan historians specifically for the database. These are accessed through the images at the bottom of the home page which take a user to a list of related essays, all of which include a bibliography of related documents from within the database.

“We are excited to have Michigana, Sources in U.S. History Online added to Mel.org. We know that researchers of all ages and who are interested in various depth of coverage will find the information useful. From students simply having fun digging for fun facts, to college students writing in-depth research papers, to genealogists tracking down family history, this resource is invaluable,” said Deb Biggs Thomas, the Library of Michigan’s MeL Coordinator.

“Anyone interested in any aspect of the history of our state will find this resource a valuable tool,” said Larry J. Wagenaar the Historical Society of Michigan’s executive director. “Users of Michigana will find it helpful to research family history, learn about the area in which they live and uncover many other remarkable facts. We are pleased that the Michigan eLibrary is able to provide this wonderful resource.”

MeL is a project of the Library of Michigan in partnership with all Michigan libraries and supported by federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding. Through MeL, Michigan residents can access electronic resources such as Academic Onefile, Kids Infobits, Educator’s Reference Complete, Business and Company Resource Center, General Business-File, InfoTrac Custom Newspapers, the New York Times and e-books on all aspects of general reference.

MeL Michigana can be accessed at http://mel.org/michigana