3. Where can teachers find historical records?

In New York State, there are approximately 2,500 historical records repositories and 4,400 local governments (counties, towns, cities, villages, fire districts, school districts) that are sources of historical records.  Samples include the following.

• Personal Historical Records: driver's licenses, birth certificates, social security cards, tax returns, photographs, report cards, drawings, postcards, scrapbooks, diaries, political paraphernalia.
• Schools: old attendance records, school rules, photographs, blueprints, yearbooks, literary magazines, school newspapers, videotaped performances, award certificates, board of education meeting minutes.
• Communities: local libraries, historical societies, universities, museums, churches, businesses, local governments, state agencies, local chambers of commerce, charitable organizations, unions, veteran groups.
   

Search engines on the Internet have become a common tool to access these types of historical records quickly and conveniently. They can provide access to documents in New York State, the United States, and in other countries. Some popular search engines include Google, Yahoo!, Excite, Lycos, and HotBot. 

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