The Source

The Lincoln Archives Digital Project

By Michael K. Shaffer · Originally published February 2021 · p. 18

Researchers will benefit from Lincoln as a President.” Given the vast sources available, now the magnitude of sources, rangand in the future, at The Lincoln ing from November 1860 through Archives Digital Project! (http:// late 1865, available in this growwww.lincolnarchives.org/) This ing repository, this month an writer appreciates the assistance overview of the various sections Karen Needles, the brains be- will set the stage for future artihind this undertaking, who pro- cles, which will delve into spevided helpful information for cific categories. Over 20 years this article. According to Ms. of scanning and digitization repNeedles, this effort “launched in resent the current offerings; the 2002.” The goal of the project work will continue well into the is to digitize all federal records future, so bookmark the site and created during the Presidency of check back for updates. One Abraham Lincoln, including all can also follow the Project on cabinet positions, as well as Civil Facebook and Twitter. War records, providing a 360-deThe screenshot shown will serve gree opportunity to truly study as a guide for this introduction.

First, the ‘Search’ function offers a great place to start if one has a particular subject under research. A search of “Frederick Douglass” returned 13 documents of varying topics. ‘Website Tips’ provides techniques that will enhance the time spent on the site. The ‘About Us’ section offers valuable information on the project’s history and details the work ahead. (The site does accept financial contributions to assist in the endeavor!) As of December 2020, the ‘Diaries’ section contains only one, a journal from a trooper with the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Continuing, the ‘GovPubs’— after future digitization—will house the Journal of the House, Congressional Globe, Journal of the Senate, U.S. Congressional Serial Set, Maps, Indian Land Cessions, Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861–1865, Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress 1861–1865, and Statutes and Documents. The National Archives section (NARA) will eventually contain documents from various Record Groups on the American Civil War, and the ‘Newspapers’ and ‘Photographs’ categories, both now in the early stages of work, will provide direct links to many period broadsheets and images. Check the ‘Podcasts’ section now, and listen to discussions on our nation’s 16th president. Various ‘Cartoons’ from the period’s popular illustrated papers appear here, although much work lies ahead to populate thoroughly. The ‘Site Map’ offers a useful overview of the entire collection and a quick navigation method to select topics. Along with the other areas, this article’s future installment will drill into the ‘Special Features.’ The ‘Timeline’ remains under construction, and the ‘What’s New!’ section provides a great place to start when revisiting the site once bookmarked. Finally, ‘Who’s Who,’ when finished, will give an image and bio of prominent individuals: political, military, and civilian. As indicated on this site’s homepage, “If you want to truly understand Lincoln as President, you have to see the BIG picture!” So, next month, we will continue to explore The Lincoln Archives Digital Project: (http://www.lincolnarchives.org). Until then, wishes for continued good luck in researching the American Civil War!

Michael K. Shaffer is a Civil War historian, author, lecturer, and instructor, who remains a member of the Society of Civil War Historians, Historians of the Civil War Western Theater, and the Georgia Association of Historians. Readers may contact him at [email protected] or request speaking engagements via his website www.civilwarhistorian.net. Follow Michael on Facebook www.facebook.com/michael.k.shaffer and Twitter @michaelkshaffer.