Research is critical to writing Historical Novels. Although I have found no substitutions for my local libraries and books, here are some links I use often during my writing. If you have other references you recommend, please send me a link.
Language:
- Historical Dictionary of American Slang: Alpha Dictionary
- Origin of Phrases and Idioms: Phrase Finder
- Origin of Words: Word Origins
- Online Etymology Dictionary: Etymology Dictionary
- Ebonics: Hooked on Ebonics
- Google Ngram: Word Use over time
- Old Terms: Civil War Slang
- Legends of the West: Western Slang
- CU’s Arapaho on-line Dictionary: Arapaho
- Common Words of the 1860s: The Patriot File
- American Mountain Man Terms: Mountain Man Terms
Historical Clothing:
- Colonial Williamsburg’s Museum Collection: Historic Threads
- A Colonial Gentlemans Clothing: A Glossary of Terms
- 7 Things Historical Women Wore Under their Skirts: Mental Floss Article
- Early Victorian Nightclothes: Casual Attire for Women
- Deadly Vintage’s: Vintage Fashions Glossery
- Women’s Clothing: Women’s Clothing in 1860
- Victoria Magazine: How to Dress in 1860
- Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine: Jan-June 1863
- Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine: July-Dec. 1863
- Godey’s Lady’s Book: January 1864
- Godey’s Lady’s Book: May 1864
- Godey’s Lady’s Book: Fashion Illustrations
- Thanks to Girl Scout Katie for finding this great site: Historical Clothing and Costumes
Historical Etiquette
- Florence Hartley’s Ladies’ Book of Etiquette
- The American Ladies’ Handbook of Etiquette
- Radcliff Institute’s Common Social Etiquette Books
Newspapers:
- Library of Congress: Chronicling America
- Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection: Colorado Historic Newspapers
- California Digital Newspaper Collection: California Newspapers
- Wyoming Digital Newspaper Collection: Wyoming Newspapers
- Utah Digital Newspaper Collection: Utah Newspapers
Historical Illnesses and Hygiene:
- Common Ailments and Complaints: Summary
- Frontier Home Remedies: Minnesota History Magazine
- Colonial Hygiene (thanks Alexa!): Hygiene in Colonial America
Historical Pictures:
- Denver Public Library Digital Collection: Digital Collection
- History Colorado Digital Collection: Collection
- Library of Congress: On-line Prints and Photographs
Cookbooks:
- Eliza Actions 1845 edition of: Modern Cookery, In All Its Branches
- Angilina Collins 1857 edition of: The Great Western Cook Book
- Elizabeth Halls 1856 edition of: Practical American Cookery and Domestic Economy
- Earthly Pursuits: Cooking Terms and Tips
- Vintage Cookbooks from 1840-1859: 1840-1859 Cookbooks
- Vintage Cookbooks from 1860-1879: 1860-1879 Cookbooks
Kitchen and Food:
Genealogy Resources from Dan and his sons:
- How to: How to do your Genealogy
- Guide: Ultimate Guide to Genealogy
- Children reseach: Projects to Interest Children in Family History
- Family Tree: Exploring Your Family Tree
- How to make a Family Tree
- Formatting your Family Tree
- And a great recommendation from Thomas and his mother about Ellis Island: New York City History
- Another great recommendation from Amanda on Passanger Ships: Researching Your Family’s History from Ships Passenger Lists
- A great recommendation from Stephen: Genealogy Resources
- Andy, working on his Genealogy Scouts badge, found this: a great Genealogy for Kids Building a Family Tree
Maps of Colorado and Colorado Info:
- Interactive State Map from 1866: 1866 Colorado
- Colorado Territory Map 1861-1865: Colorado Territory
- Colorado Territory Survey Map 1861: 1861 Map
- Colorado Life Zones: Plants and Animals
Denver City and Auraria:
- Territorial Gold Coinage: Colorado Territorial Gold
- History of the Denver Mint: US Denver Mint
Frontier Mining History:
- Sovereign Hill Education: Mining Technology Research Notes
- Mining Technology in the Nineteenth Century
History of other Colorado Towns:
- Great History of Leadville: Leadville
Misc. History:
- Civil War History: War of the Rebellion
- Clear Creek History: Idaho Springs
- The Reynolds Gang: Exonerating the Reynolds Gang
- Detective Cook: Hands up; or Thirty-five years of Detective work in the Mountains and on the Plains
- American Dance: A History of Social Dance in America
- George Dorcey’s Traditions of the Arapaho
- Pilgrims: The History of People of Plymouth Colony
Book Reviewers
- Book Reviewer: Yellow Pages
