Doing Research

Doing research in 1999 is not the same as when you did a paper in middle school or college. Think of finding information as solving a puzzle. When visiting a library, don't be afraid to ask for help. Reference and local history librarians are in the business of finding information. They will not do the research for you, but can offer suggestions. Do not be afraid to go back and ask again if you are having trouble or need more suggestions. Just let them know when they are particularly helpful.

• Look at bibliographies in books, remembering to check dates.
• Consult regional electronic catalogs to find books outside your local library and then borrow them on interlibrary loan.
• Browse the shelves, looking under the following numbers.

Travel - 917.47(NY) 917.49(NJ)
Local History - 974.7(NY) 974.9(NJ)
Hiking 796.5 The topic hiking deals more with how to than where.

• Search the Web, including on-line bookstores.
• Use magazine databases, available through a public library or the Web.

The Web is an incredible source of information, particularly at the local level. Since there is no review process of material posted on the Web, check when the site or page was last updated and who is publishing the site. Visit suggested web sites and use search engines to "poke" around. The advantage of the Wb is that you can do it at your convenience. Remember to write down URL addresses so you can revisit them.

• www.nynjtc.org/links.html a maintained list to sites of interest to hikers
• www.nj.com/outdoors/ information about the outdoors in NJ
• www.hv.net Hudson Valley information
• www.nynjctbotany.org/ Natural history information
• www.rootsquest.com/~amhisnet/nj.html NJ local history arranged by county and topic
• www.genexchange.com/alhn/ny/index.cfm A long list of local NY sites

Public Libraries

New Jersey

• www.capecod.net/epl/public.libraries.html#NJ

New York

• www.rcls.org - public libraries in Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and part of Ulster
• midhudson.org -public libraries in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, and part of Ulster
• www.wls.lib.ny.us - public libraries in Westchester
• www.nypl.org - New York Public Library
• www.senylrc.org:8101 - databases and catalogs

Local History Rooms

Most public libraries have at least one shelf of local history material. These listings are just a sample.

• www.thrall.org/lochis.htm Middletown (Thrall Library) (NY)
• www.gti.net/mocolib1/nj.html Morris County Library (NJ)
• www.newcitylibrary.org/rockland.html New City Library (NY)
• nyack.lib.ny.us/localhistory.htm Nyack Library (NY)

Historical Societies

Just a sample of what is available:

• www.planet-rockland.org/histsoc Historical Society of Rockland County (NY)
• sia.cc/glochist1.htm Passaic County Historical Society (NJ)
• www.monmouth.com/~mcha/ Monmouth County Historical Association (NJ)