Additional Resources

Researching Anchorage’s History or Alaska History Topics

Researchers who want to explore Anchorage’s past—any aspect or sub-theme—or the broader field of Alaska history, are fortunate in having several excellent local collections: the Alaska Collection at Z.J. Loussac Library, Anchorage Public Library; the Consortium Library on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus; and the Atwood Resource Center at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. These libraries hold major Alaskana collections of books and other published works about Alaska and the Circumpolar North. These facilities offer research guides and other finding aids, on-line research tools, and dedicated staff who can provide research assistance to help you locate what you seek.

In addition, there are two local collections which hold a large quantity of primary sources--original documents, photographs, maps, and oral histories: the Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage; and the Atwood Resource Center, Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. The 673rd Air Base Wing History Office, located on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, contains a smaller, less comprehensive, collection of records, photographs, and other related materials relating to Alaska’s military history from about 1920 to the present. In addition, the Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association (AMIPA), located on the third floor of the Consortium Library, holds a large collection of Alaskan film, television, and recorded sound materials. The Alaska federal records formerly housed at the National Archives at Anchorage were transferred to the National Archives at Seattle, Seattle, Washington, in 2014. There are two local genealogy collections: Z.J. Loussac Library, Anchorage Public Library; and the Family History Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Outside of Anchorage, there are excellent collections of Alaskana (books and other printed works) and primary sources held at these libraries and archival repositories: Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Alaska Historical Collections, and Alaska State Archives, Juneau; Special Collections, Pacific Northwest Collection, University of Washington Libraries, Seattle; and at the National Archives at Seattle.

 

Major Repositories--Anchorage

Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association (AMIPA) http://www.amipa.org  

Alaska Resources Library & Information Services (ARLIS) http://www.arlis.org

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center-Atwood Resource Center https://www.anchoragemuseum.org/collections/access-research/

Anchorage Public Library--Alaska Collection, Z.J. Loussac Library http://www.muni.org/Departments/library/Pages/Alaskana.aspx

Consortium Library—Archives & Special Collections University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University https://consortiumlibrary.org/archives

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson—History Office. The History Office primarily researches, writes, and preserves the history of the Air Force (at the base and unit levels). The office answers questions about Air Force history only. It does not answer questions about other services present and active at the installation (including the Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard). Information about the history of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson can be found at this URL: https://www.jber.jb.mil/About-Us/ . Contact information: contact the History Office at 907-552-4765 or 4767.

 

Major Repositories--Fairbanks

Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives http://library.uaf.edu/apr

Alaska Film Archives http://library.uaf.edu/film-archives

Oral History Program http://library.uaf.edu/oral-history

 

Major Repositories--Juneau

State of Alaska, Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums: Alaska State Library—Alaska Historical Collections http://library.alaska.gov/hist

Alaska State Archives http://archives.alaska.gov

Alaska State Museums http://museums.alaska.gov

 

Major Repositories--Seattle, Washington

National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives at Seattle. https://www.archives.gov/seattle (National Archives at Anchorage – moved to Seattle, WA, in 2014)

University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections, Pacific Northwest Collection. http://guides.lib.uw.edu/friendly.php?s=research/pnw

 

Genealogical Information

Anchorage Genealogical Society. http://www.anchoragegenealogy.org

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Anchorage, Alaska Family History Center. https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Anchorage_Alaska_Family_History_Center

 

Additional On-Line Research Tools & Databases

Alaska’s Digital Archives. http://vilda.alaska.edu

Alaska Historical Collections (Alaska State Library, Juneau). Collection Guides, Indexes, and Educational Resources http://library.alaska.gov/hist/online_resources/online_resources.html

Alaska Historical Society. Local Historical Societies. http://alaskahistoricalsociety.org/for-researchers/local-historical-societies

Alaska and Polar Periodical Index (University of Alaska Fairbanks). http://library.uaf.edu/resources-appi

Archives West. http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org

Cook Inlet Historical Society (Anchorage). Legends & Legacies, Anchorage, 1910-1940. http://www.alaskahistory.org

Project Jukebox: Digital Branch of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Oral History Program. https://jukebox.uaf.edu/

Statewide Library Electronic Doorway (SLED). http://lam.alaska.gov/sled