Women's History Month 2021: Subscription Websites at the Museum

 

Image by Michal JarmolukPixabay https://pixabay.com/users/jarmoluk-143740/

We all use them, and in today’s world of genealogical research (well, heck, for the last decade-plus), they are a necessity. 

Genealogy subscription websites. 

You are used to either paying for one (or more) or accessing them at a Family History Center or your local public library. You probably are very familiar with all of the genealogy subscription websites available. But in the world of subscription websites and databases, genealogy-focused ones are only the beginning.

I often encourage researchers to check out their local academic library for numerous reasons, including possible subscription websites, but it’s also something to consider as you plan a museum research trip.

Now every museum is different. It’s possible that this may not apply to your local museum, but when we look at larger museums with research facilities, part of their research offerings may include institutional subscription websites.

Now, why is this important? These websites contain databases that offer names, dates, and places (genealogically relevant information). And these sites are not available as an individual subscription (plus they are too costly). So you may have access to it only in a research institution like a museum.

Let’s take a look at an example to get an idea of the importance of these databases.

Let’s start with The Getty. If you ever find yourself in Los Angeles, The Getty is a beautiful art museum, and they also have a major research library. This is the perfect place to research an artist or someone involved in the field of art. 

Let’s take a look at a few subscription websites they offer for on-site research. Notice the top toolbar shows all they offer at the library. The menu on the left side allows you to look at specific categories of subscription websites/databases. Obviously, you can see what they have but you can't research them from home.

Here's what they offer just in their "General" category of subscription websites. As you can see, there are quite a few that genealogists would be interested in.

 

 

Aside from their subscription databases, The Getty has a lot to offer researcheers. Depending on the needs of their researchers and funding, the availability of subscription websites will differ from museum to museum. In some cases, they may only subscribe to JSTOR, but others may offer a lot more. 

One thing to keep in mind is that most museums do not list the websites they subscribe to on their website. Instead, they highlight their physical collections so website visitors get a sense of precisely what they have and why you should research there. Subscription websites and databases are something you're likely to discover when you get there. So as you plan your research trip, leave some time to explore what they may offer in terms of subscription websites.

 

Hard to believe we are finishing up our first week of Women's History Month 2021. Tomorrow we will spotlight a specific museum in honor of Church Records Sunday. See you then!