· Learn how the search engine works. Search engines have a “help” or “about” link that explains how the search engine works. This could include search tips, strategies, special features, etc. For a chart of search engine features, see http://www.searchengineshowdown.com/features

· Search tips that the “help” or “about” page should explain:

o Is there a default search, and if so, what is it?

o Boolean operators (symbols or words)?

o How are results sorted?

o Is it case sensitive (upper or lower case letters)?

o Is truncation allowed?

o The following link will teach you more about Boolean operators and how to use them: http://library.albany.edu/internet/boolean.html

· Use unique keywords.

o The more specific your keywords, the better you can narrow your search.

o Example: “Siamese cats” rather than “cats”.

o Another example: For biology searches, use the scientific name of the organism; this will narrow your search.

Use phrase searching.

For a search where more than one word is involved, use all words and put quotes around them.
Example: Use the phrase “Columbia River”. This will narrow down your search. Typing in just “Columbia” will get you Columbia University, Columbia Records, etc.

Check your spelling.

If you keep getting error messages or no results for your search, make sure you are spelling your search terms correctly. Consult a dictionary, either hardcopy or online. Merriam Webster Online is one example of an online dictionary: www.m-w.com/

ONE SQUARE MILE RESOURCES

Judy Bentley

Here are some general resources you may use in investigating your one square mile or one building or one block:

One place to begin is the Seattle Public Library’s website, www.spl.org. Click on

Databases and Web Sites, then Local History for maps, oral histories, building records, photographs, etc.

PEOPLE

Interview people who live or have lived in the area.

Talk to the neighbors.

Ask the local historical society for suggestions of people to interview.

Consult oral history collections for interviews of people.

For example, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society has an oral history

collection of interviews with people in West Seattle. Their address is 3003 61^st Ave. S.W., Seattle; (206) 938-5293

The Washington State Archives in Olympia has an Oral History Index of

oral histories from 1974 to 1977.

The Museum of History and Industry has an Oral History Catalog of

thousands of oral histories, including those at SWSHS: www.seattlehistory.org. Select “Collections & Research/Oral History Catalog.

Duwamish Tribe Oral History Project. Interviews by JonLee Joseph 2002.

979.70049 DUW at the Seattle Public Library, Seattle Room, downtown.

Old Cooper School Oral History Project. Delridge Neighborhoods

Development Association and South Seattle Community College. Interviews with alumni of the Youngstown/Cooper School and neighborhood residents. Available from Judy Bentley.

If you want to know who has lived at an address, or identify relatives of

building occupants, neighborhood old-timers, and longtime residents, check the Polk City Directories at the Seattle Public Library. The directories have listed this information since 1938.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Look for photographs of buildings and people in the one square mile.

For example, SSCC's Library has a collection of photographs of SSCC.

The archives of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society have

photographs from West Seattle.

The Museum of History and Industry has a photograph collection.

So does the Special Collections room at the University of Washington.

The Washington State Archives at Bellevue Community College have

photographs of almost all buildings between 1937 and 1972 in the King County Assessor's Property Records. The archives also have data sheets on many houses. Call 425-564-3940.

The King County tax records are at http://www.metrokc.gov/gis/mapportal.

Also for King County photographs, check www.kcsnapshots.org

Check West Side Story (copy available in SSCC library) for photographs

of West Seattle.

Try the Washington State Capitol Museum in Olympia for photographs

from around the state.

PAMPHLETS and BROCHURES and NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

The SSCC Library has a pamphlet file, with topics listed alphabetically.

Find newspaper articles for a particular date or topic.

Try the UW Library and the Seattle Public Library indexes to newspapers.

MAPS

Look at old maps.

The King County Archives have local historical maps and plat maps from

1853 to the present; (206) 296-1538 or www.metrokc.gov/recelec/archives/archives.htm.

The Maps Room at the University of Washington has old United States

Geological Survey maps.

The Seattle Public Library has copies of insurance maps published by the

Sanborn Map Company every five years from the 1890s through World War II. Digital Sanborn Maps 1867-1970 are at http://www.spl.org/selectedsites/subscriptions.html. Select “Biography & Genealogy/Digital Sanborn Maps.” You will need a library card.

The National Archives at Sand Point also has maps, such as GLO

(General Land Office) surveys. It is helpful to know township and range to find the right map.

GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS

United States Census Data is available on the Internet, at the Seattle Public

Library, at the National Archives at Sand Point, and at the Washington State Library in Olympia. Before 1890, individual names of residents are listed at a particular address. (Names cannot be made public for 100 years, so no names later than 1890 are available to the public.)

The Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Regional Branch at Bellevue

Community College contains the King County Assessor's Property Records (PR) Cards, which tell when a building was constructed, sometimes by whom and with what materials. (See Photographs above.)

For blueprints for permitted commercial buildings and apartment houses and for

residences permitted after 1970, try the City of Seattle Department of Construction and Land Use.

For information about historic districts and Seattle landmarks, try the City of

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

King County Landmarks and Heritage Program may also have resources:

1-800-325-6165.

To find the location of an old mine, use the Index to Mining Surveys, 1883-1964

in the Washington State Archives in Olympia.

GENERAL REFERENCE BOOKS available in SSCC Library

Washington State Place Names

Historical Atlas of Washington

Encyclopedia of Associations