Research Guides: American Civil War: Resources in Special Collections: Online Resources

Digital Collections

Select archival and special collection materials have been digitized and made available online through the Digital Collection @ the University of Maryland, a searchable digital repository of scanned materials from the University of Maryland's libraries.

Use the keyword search box on the homepage to search collection by keywords. For example, typing "Civil War" in the search box will retrieve materials realted to the Civil War.

You may also search using the provided subject browse terms, which includes "War, Military".

Databases and Journals

Database Finder offers online access to databases and journal articles, and is available only to University of Maryland staff and students or at University of Maryland Libraries.

Academic Search Ultimate
Multi-disciplinary database providing information for nearly every area of academic study. Includes an enormous collection of the most valuable peer-reviewed full text journals, as well as additional journals, magazines, newspapers and books. Multidisciplinary subjects including: social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, language & linguistics, arts & literature, medicine, ethnic studies. 1965- present.
America: History & Life with Full-Text
Core American history database now includes unique full-text coverage of nearly 200 journals and 100 books. Information on articles, books, book reviews, and dissertations on U.S. and Canadian history from prehistory to the present. Covers more than 2000 international worldwide. All aspects of historical research. Time span: 1964-present.
JSTOR
Electronic archive of core journals in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Includes complete runs of journals with full-text of all articles published from volume 1, issue 1. Please note, most journals have a “moving wall” (time lag) of three to five years between the most current issue published and content available on JSTOR. Coverage spans the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
America: History & Life with Full-Text
Core American history database now includes unique full-text coverage of nearly 200 journals and 100 books. Information on articles, books, book reviews, and dissertations on U.S. and Canadian history from prehistory to the present. Covers more than 2000 international worldwide. All aspects of historical research. Time span: 1964-present.

Websites and Online Exhibits

Below is a list of websites and online exhibits covering various topics related to the Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln Papers
A guide to the digitized Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.
American Civil War Collection at the Electronic Text Center
Provides digitized primary source material on the American Civil War, including letters, diaries and newspapers. Created by the University of Virginia Libraries.
Civil War Trust
An extensive guide to Civil War battlefields. Includes maps and photographs.
Civil War Women: Primary Sources on the Internet
Digitized diaries, letters, photographs, and other primary source material related to women and the Civil War. Created by Duke University Libraries.
Civil War@Smithsonian
An online exhibit created by the Smithsonian Institute. Includes a timeline of the War and links to additional online resources.
Discovering the Civil War
An online exhibit created by the National Archives. The resources page contain digitized primary source documents from the Civil War era and other useful materials.
Maryland in the Civil War - Enoch Pratt Free Library
An introductory guide to the Civil War in Maryland. Includes a list of prominent Marylanders during the War and links to useful websites.
Online Guide to Cotton and its Role in the Civil War
An online resource guide focusing on the how the cotton industry impacted the Civil War.
Research in Military Records: Civil War
A guide to researching the Civil War using collections from the National Archives.
Selected Civil War Photographs
A digitized collection of Civil War photographs from the Library of Congress. Also includes a timeline of the War.
The Civil War
An extensive guide created by PBS with images, maps, biographies, historical documents, bibliography, related links, a fact page, and section for educators.
The Emancipation Proclamation
An overview and digitized copy of the Emancipation Proclamation provided by the National Archives as part of their featured document series.
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
Created by PBS, this website offers information about the end of institutionalized slavery in America and the development of the Jim Crow laws. Includes interactive timelines and maps, as well as tools and activities for teachers.
Women on the Border: Maryland Perspective of the Civil War
A digital exhibition from Special Collections at the University of Maryland Libraries.