Searching for Nevada-related primary sources

If you are searching for primary sources about Nevada or other regional topics, try using some of the archival search tips and resources below.

Special Collections and University Archives

Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) houses many manuscripts, artifacts, personal papers, photographs, maps, and more related to the history of the region and the University. While many SCUA materials have been digitized for access online, most materials must be accessed in person by visiting SCUA and using them in the reading room.

You can search for SCUA materials in three ways:

  1. Use Library Search to search for books and journals housed in SCUA.
  2. Search archival collections (i.e., finding aids) for information about uncatalogued materials.
  3. Search digital materials from the archives, including photographs, letters, maps, University yearbooks, the Nevada Sagebrush newspaper, local city directories, and more.

You can also search these databases for historical newspaper articles about Nevada-related topics:

You can visit SCUA on the third floor of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center, or complete their contact form to ask for help with research, donations, copy orders, permission to publish, etc.

Other places to search for Nevada-related primary sources

Search tips

When searching for primary sources on a local topic, event, or person of interest, keep in mind that archival research often works differently from ordinary database searching. Sometimes, the topic, event, or person may not be mentioned in a catalog record although there is still relevant information available in a collection.

  • If you can’t find resources about a particular person, then search for organizations, groups, or activities they were involved with. Look for organizational materials and see if they may have been mentioned in any of these.
  • Use places as search terms. Consider the places and contexts for a person’s experiences. Search for towns, schools, workplaces, churches, etc.
  • Search broadly before narrowing. A narrow search for "Jane Smith" may fail, while a broader search like “Smith Reno school” may succeed.
  • Try different versions of names. Search full names, initials, maiden and married names, nicknames, alternate spellings, abbreviations, and older forms of organizational names. Newspapers and older records can be inconsistent.
  • Use terminology from the historical period. Organizations, occupations, communities, and social groups may have been described using terminology different from today's.
  • Use database filters to help you narrow appropriately. You may be able to narrow your search by data, type of material, etc.
  • Follow citations and references in anything you find. Secondary sources may point directly to sources, collections, organizations, or people worth investigating.
  • Don't assume that "no digital result" means "no material." Only a portion of many archival collections have been digitized. Search the catalog and finding aids for physical collections as well as digital collections.
  • Ask an archivist. Archival staff often have insights into what’s available and can point you in the right direction.