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AMST/ENGL 3559 : Moving On: Migration in/to US

Research guide for students in Lisa Goff's Fall 2021 AMST/ENGL 3559 class.

Research Using Library Databases

The UVA Library subscribes to hundreds of databases that contain scholarly resources not available on the free web. Access to most of these databases is restricted to current members of the UVA community. If you will be accessing materials from off Grounds, you will be prompted to sign in with NetBadge when using these resources. For some resources, you may need to use the VPN - see tab on left side menu for more information. 

The best way to connect to the library's databases is through the research portal. This page provides a  list of recommended databases, ebooks, and freely available online resources. There are many more resources available that might be useful.

If you would like research help, Sherri is available for meetings virtually using Zoom. You can schedule an appointment with me by clicking the button in my information box to the left, by selecting a day/time on my Make an Appointment page, or by
contacting me directly at sherri.brown@virginia.edu. When you make an appointment, I will send you a Zoom link for us to meet. If Zoom will not work for you, please email me and we will find another option for meeting. Need help right away? Please contact a librarian using one of our Ask a Librarian options. ​

UVA Library Genealogy Resources

See Jean Cooper's Powerpoint slides (below) for a full list of recommended sites and resources for genealogical research. Also, remember to use Dr. Goff's Ancestry account when you actually need to make your family tree (for research you can use the library edition). Email Jean if you have questions about your genealogy research. 

UVA Access to Digitized/Digital Newspapers

The following are some of the ways to access newspapers through the UVA Library - there are more! If you cannot find a newspaper you're looking for, get in touch and we'll help see if we might have access to what you need. 

Databases for Finding Articles for Context

Primary Source Collections

Search Virgo and the finding aids on the Special Collections Library site for primary source materials held at UVA in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. Email Krystal with questions about UVA Special Collections materials that might be relevant to your research.
Below are some digital resources - both UVA-licensed and free - that might help provide context for your family histories and connections to migrations. For resources more specific to your topic of interest, contact Sherri for research help. 

Finding items using Virgo

Virgo, the UVA Library’s primary search tool, contains catalog records for books, print journals, DVDs, maps, and digitized materials, as well as links to online articles from our rich array of subscription journals. You can also search for items in Special Collections through Virgo. 

Example subject terms/keyword searches:

  • Emigration and immigration
  • Forced Migration
  • Immigrants - interviews 
  • Immigrants - social conditions
  • Immigration enforcement
  • Migration, Internal 
  • Refugees
  • Undocumented immigrants

Example Books on Migration Topics

Below are just a few of many examples of books available that discuss migration in some way. You can search for a particular title or author if you know it, or use the subject term recommendations above to get started searching in Virgo for relevant materials. Limit your format to Online and/or EBook to find books available for online reading. Many ebooks have a search feature and/or index that will help you find sections relevant to your research topic.