Archival Sources
Archives and research libraries are excellent places to find early American sources. Their holdings often contain government records, private manuscripts, rare books, unique maps, and other documents necessary for studying the past. Below are several lists of American archives organized by country/region.
The United States of America is home to vast archives that collect and preserve the documentary heritage of all the Americas. Both the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration maintain extensive collections of early American sources, as do hundreds of other public and private institutions.
Canada is home to several archives and research libraries that house early American sources. Library and Archives Canada serves as the official repository for the Government of Canada, but there are also many provincial and local institutions that document Canada’s early history.
The United Mexican States maintains several archives and research libraries across Mexico. Its Archivo General de la Nación is one of the most important repositories in the world for the study of not just early Mexico, but all the Americas.
Caribbean Archives
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Several countries in the Caribbean maintain archives and research libraries that are at once national and regional in their scope.
Central American Archives
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Various archives and research libraries can be found throughout Central America. From Guatemala to Panama, researchers can find all manner of early American sources.
South American Archives
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Archives and research libraries throughout South America collect and preserve early American sources.
European Archives
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Europe’s colonization of the Americas produced significant amounts of documents related to early American history. Much of the colonial record of early America is thus held in European archives, museums, and research libraries.