People, Groups and Culture: Statewide Resources
| African American |
| Asian American |
| European American |
| Gay and Lesbian |
| Jewish |
| Latinos |
| Multi-Ethnic |
| Native American |
| People with Disabilities |
| People/Groups/Cultures |
| Women |
The rich documentary evidence of New York's diverse communities can be uncovered in historical societies, libraries, museums, archives, and cultural organizations around the State. Here you will find the details of life in oral histories, personal papers, scrapbooks, local history collections and business records.
Here you can find records and resources relating to:
- people united by common:
- geography or place of origin
- cultural, ethnic, religious or racial identity or background
- gender, age, sexual orientation, ability/disability
- economic or social class
- activities, lifestyles, and changing ways of life of individuals, families and particular groups
- population movements of immigration, migration, and emigration
- process of settlement
- distinctive aspects of living within communities and neighborhoods or as part of population groups
- groups and organizations formed according to group identity for support, advocacy, or education
- activities and organizations that reveal the nature of domestic, family, and community life
- social clubs, fraternal organizations
- genealogy
- daily life, culture and cultural influences
- cultural sensibilities
- language
- family and community associations
- friendship networks
- community centers
Historical societies, libraries, museums, archives, and other organizations around New York provide resources for the study of people, groups and cultures. You can find valuable details in diaries, letters, business records, deeds, wills, photographs, oral history tapes, and many other types of information created by people and organizations in the course of their daily activities.
- Find a repository through the New York State Historical Records Repository Directory
Local governments, whether a town, city, school, or county, often hold relevant records.
- Find a local government that might hold your family records by searching the Directory of New York State Local Governments
You can continue your search for records on various people, groups, and cultures by using the Historic Documents Inventory, a statewide catalog of historic records.
Do you know of an online index, finding, exhibit, or other resource that relates to this topic? If so, please send a message to dhs@mail.nysed.gov so that we can include your link in this resource.