Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2019 22:05:49 GMT
I decided a while ago that I would make a list of resources for the site, but was originally planning on making it into a Google Spreadsheet. However, it seems as if that wasn't working out, so I'll just make a thread and it'll likely get more views anyway. With that being said, here's a list of online resources I often use when making articles, looking for media in archives, and investigating other information about media that wouldn't necessarily look too organized within the article itself:
Newspapers
Often the most valuable resource I use when looking into media is digitized newspapers. Indicated below are a list of resources I personally use for newspaper searches that are 100% free to use.
Television
If you're looking for anything related to television, here's a few free sites that might be able to be of help to you:
Newspapers
Often the most valuable resource I use when looking into media is digitized newspapers. Indicated below are a list of resources I personally use for newspaper searches that are 100% free to use.
- Fulton History (this resource is also available at Fulton Search, which has more comprehensive search capabilities)
- The California Digital Newspaper Collection (This resource will highlight the article in which your results appear, making it easier to find what you're looking for on the page)
- New York State Historic Newspapers (be sure to click on the "Search" button at the top rather than clicking on the county map unless you're looking for something in a specific county)
- Chronicling America (This site will be your go-to for anything prior to 1964, with newspapers going as far back as 1789)
Television
If you're looking for anything related to television, here's a few free sites that might be able to be of help to you:
- The Interviews at the Television Academy Foundation (This resource is the most incredible of the bunch, with actors, actresses, directors, and producers all giving first-hand oral testimony of the shows they've worked on. Is searchable by television show, individual, and citable, but should be cross-referenced due to possibly incorrect recollections.)
- Crazy About TV (A smaller site, but it has a good amount of information about older television shows. A great guide, but isn't really citable, and should be cross-referenced.)
- Sitcoms Online (If what you're looking for is a sitcom, this site will have information on it. Everything from audio files of theme songs, to promotional photos of the series, to links to hidden videos and the likes that can be found in the description of said promotional photos. However, a reminder that this website is not citable, and should only be used as a guide like Wikipedia.)
- The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable Shows (I use this resource less often, but it contains basic information on virtually every major television show in the U.S. between 1946 and 2000. Remember to cite the page number if used as a reference)
- American Radio History (This website is incredible, as it includes pdf files of old Billboard magazines and other major publications involving American Radio and Television, with some more corporate details tossed into the mix here and there)
Video Games
I'm a little less avid in video game searches than others are, but here two resources I know that contain information on some lost video games:
Archives
Want to know if what you're looking for is held at an archive? Here's a couple resources for you to use in order to find resources or materials available at major archives in the U.S. and Canada.
I will continue to add to this list as I come across more resources, but these have been a huge help for me thus far. Feel free to add your own resources in the thread, as I hope this will help others in finding information for their projects, especially with more obscure items.
I'm a little less avid in video game searches than others are, but here two resources I know that contain information on some lost video games:
- The Handheld Games Museum (A website documenting lesser-know handheld gaming systems. Found myself here by mistake)
- A History of Korean Gaming (A little more niche, but this page documents a decade of lost Korean video games from 1987 to 1997)
Archives
Want to know if what you're looking for is held at an archive? Here's a couple resources for you to use in order to find resources or materials available at major archives in the U.S. and Canada.
- The UCLA Film and Television Archive (You can search the University of California in Los Angeles' Film and Television Archive at this link for movies, serials, and television shows)
- The Collection at the Paley Center of Media (The Collection available at the Paley has extensive results on television series, movies, and specials)
- Annenberg School for Communication Television Script Archive (A spreadsheet document listing all of the television shows whose scripts are held at the Annenberg School of Communication's Library Archives)
- Smithsonian Collections (I've only had to use this resource once, but for especially obscure but historically significant materials, this may be your best bet)
- Library and Archives Canada (Great for Canadian materials, searches the collections of Canada's national library and archives in Ottawa)
- The Library of Congress (Be sure to know how to navigate this page. While the Library Catalogue and Digital Collections may have what you're looking for, clicking on Researchers will be the most likely in helping you find the best results.)
- WorldCat (You likely know by now that WorldCat is one of the most comprehensive guides out there, helping you find records for items in libraries and archives around the world)
I will continue to add to this list as I come across more resources, but these have been a huge help for me thus far. Feel free to add your own resources in the thread, as I hope this will help others in finding information for their projects, especially with more obscure items.
