The Library has added a number of cool new electronic resources in the past few months. This weekly series will provide some ideas on how you can get the most out of them. Questions? Contact Paula Hammett at hammett@sonoma.edu.

Historical Statistics of the United States

What is it?

This standard source for quantitative facts of American history includes topics ranging from migration and health to crime and the Confederate States of America, each placed in historical context by a recognized expert in the field. Users can graph individual tables and create customized tables and spreadsheets reflecting their own particular areas of interest. Includes essays on key topics that provide historical context.?

When should I use it?

I’m writing a paper on how the definition and measurement of poverty has changed over the years. How many women were held as slaves in the years just before the outbreak of the Civil War? How did the stock market fluctuate during the years of the Great Depression?

An Example: