General   • Requirements   • Using the database    • Searching   • Advanced Search   • Using the Folder

Content Categories    • Biographies   • Subject Entries   • Primary Sources   • Timelines   • Image Gallery   • Maps and Charts

Other Resources   • Exhibit of American Negroes    • Web Links   • Further Information

Hardware and software requirements are an Internet-accessible PC or Macintosh computer running Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. On Macintosh computers the version requirements are Explorer 5.1 or Netsape 4.7 or higher; on PCs, Explorer 5 or Netscape 4.74 or higher.

Back to Top

On the main page of African-American History & Culture, you will see a left menu. This is the main navigational tool of the database and is present on every page of the website. No matter where you are in the database, you can start a new search by clicking on a link from the left menu.

To browse entries in any section of the database, click a link in the left menu; then select a specific subject or era from the menus to the right. To locate a specific entry, enter a term or phrase in the search box. Check the boxes below the search box to narrow your search, or select Advanced Search from this menu for more options. For more information, view the help section on Searching.

There are also several buttons in the upper right corner of the African-American History & Culture window. To return to these instructions, click Help at any time; or click Home to return to the main page of African-American History & Culture. A second Home button in the Database Center menu bar will return you to the main page of the Facts On File History Database Center.

All content can be printed, copied, and saved for personal use via your Internet browser's print, copy, and save commands.

Printing:

You can use the folder to store your research in one central location. Important database entries or interesting photos can be archived until needed, then reviewed, printed, or e-mailed when you are ready. A button in the upper right corner of database entries allows you to add pages to the folder or view the folder. For more detailed information on how to use this feature, view the help section on Using the Folder.

Back to Top

Type a word or phrase into the box at the top of the left menu and click Search to find all the entries that contain your search terms. Because the search returns only pages that include all of your search terms, there is no need to include "and" between terms. To restrict a search further, just include more terms.

If you wish, you may narrow this search by deselecting categories on the left menu. By default, all content categories are selected, and the search runs in every part of the database. However, if you are looking only for a particular type of record, such as a biography or image, you can eliminate irrelevant content categories by clicking on the boxes to remove the check marks. Several options are available to allow you to further refine your search. All of these options can be accessed using the Advanced Search link at the bottom of the search box in the left menu, but they can also be accessed from the basic search box.

Capitalization:

Searches are not case sensitive. For example, it does not matter if you enter george washington carver or George Washington Carver or even gEoRgE wAsHiNgToN cArVeR; all will return the same results.

Accent Marks and Diacriticals:

Many names, especially those from non-English languages, contain special symbols to clarify their pronunciation. To search for these names, simply type the name without the accent marks. For example, to search for Angelina Weld Grimké, simply type angelina weld grimke in the search box.

Phrase Searches:

To search for an exact phrase, enclose the phrase in quotation marks. Without quotes, the search will return all pages that have all the words in your search, regardless of their location on the page or relation to one another. With quotes, the search will return only records that contain your search phrase exactly as you entered it.

Limiting Results with "NOT" Searches:

Sometimes you may want to limit results even further. For instance, to retrieve entries on George Washington, but not George Washington Carver, enter george washington not carver or george washington -carver into the search box. As you can see from the two examples, you may use either the word "not" or the minus sign to exclude a word from the search; however, the minus sign must be attached to the front of the word to be excluded, while "not" must be surrounded by spaces. Both approaches have the effect of excluding all entries which contain the name "Carver."

"OR" Searches:

Sometimes you may want to search on two different topics that do not appear together, such as two different people or two different wars. In that case, enter both search terms, or sets of terms, separated by the word or. For instance, the search bell hooks or cornel west will return any record which deals with either theorist, including records which mention one, but not the other.

Back to Top

Select this option from beneath the search box in the left menu to access advanced search options from a simple menu. You can select one or all of the search options in any combination to locate specific entries. You can also ignore any search option, leaving that search box empty. The following are the search options:

with ALL of the words:

This search returns only pages that include all of your search terms; however, the words may be anywhere on the page and can appear in any order. To restrict a search further, just include more terms. (This search is essentially the same as the basic search box on the left menu. However, when used in combination with the other options below, its power and accuracy can be magnified.)

with the EXACT PHRASE:

Use this box to search for an exact phrase if the basic search returns too many results. The search will return only records that contain your search phrase exactly as you entered it. The phrase search here has the same effect as putting quotation marks around a phrase in the basic search box.

with AT LEAST ONE of the words:

Sometimes you may want to search on two different topics which do not appear together, such as two different people, or two different organizations. In that case, enter both search terms, or sets of terms, separated by the word or. You may also use this search box to locate a record if you are unsure of the exact words to use. For example, if you are unsure whether Nat Turner led a revolt, rebellion, or uprising among slaves, you might type revolt rebellion uprising into this box, while placing Nat Turner in the with all of the words box.

WITHOUT the words:

Sometimes you may want to limit results by excluding certain words. For instance, to search for George Washington but not George Washington Carver, you might type Carver into this search box and George Washington into one of the previous boxes. This has the effect of excluding all entries which contain the name "Carver"

Full-Text vs. Title/Heading Search:

Use the pull-down menus to the right of the search boxes to specify what part of our database to search. Full-Text searches apply to the text of an entry as well as to the title and header material. The Title/Heading search applies only to the title.

The Title/Heading search will almost always return a smaller result than the Full-Text search, so it is probably more helpful for frequently-mentioned figures. The Full-Text search will help locate all the information on less well-known figures.

Search Categories

Use the check-boxes at the bottom of the Advanced Search screen to eliminate content categories which are not relevant to your search. By default, all content categories are selected, and the search runs in every part of the database. However, if you are looking only for a particular type of record, such as a biography or image, you can eliminate the other content categories.

Choose from one or more options to refine your search and click Search. To clear your search click Reset. Multiple options work as an "and" search, which means that you will only get results that match all categories chosen, not one or the other.

Back to Top

General:

The Database Center folder allows individual users to store their research in one central location for later access. Important database entries or interesting photos can be archived until needed, then reviewed, printed, or e-mailed when the user is ready. Simple on-screen buttons allow the user to add pages to the folder or view the folder.

Because the folders are stored online, users must first create an account to begin using their folder. Thereafter, a user must log in to view or access the folder. Both steps can be accomplished via the View Folder button on the right side of the History Database Center title bar.

Once you've established an account and logged in, any page you view through the Database Center or an individual history database within the suite can be added to your folder for later reference. Simply click the Add to Folder button or link available at the top of every page. (When you run a search from the main page of the suite, this will be a button in the middle of the title bar at the top of the page; when you browse or run a search through the individual databases, this will be a link on the right side of the database window and just beneath the title bar.) If you haven't logged in yet, a pop-up window will inform you of the error. Log in and try again.

If you have already added pages to the folder, you can view them by clicking the View Folder button on the right side of the History Database Center title bar. A dialogue box will prompt you to log in. Enter your log-in name (your e-mail address) and password.

To view a page you've saved in the folder, simply click the title of the page. You may then print or e-mail the page as described above. To delete a page you no longer need, click its check box and click the Delete Checked button above. This action will apply to all checked records, and can not be undone.

When you are done using the folder, simply log out via the link in the upper right corner of the screen.

How to Get a Password:

Obtaining a password to access the History Database Center folder is very easy. All that is required is a valid e-mail address.

First click the View Folder button in the upper right corner of the window. This will open the folder log-in window. In the lower-left corner of the log-in box is a link to create a new account.

Enter your e-mail address, desired password, and first and last names in the appropriate boxes, then click Create New User ID to finish the process.

Your user ID will be your e-mail address, and it will be activated immediately upon completion of the registration process. You will be able to use the folder beginning immediately.

How to Log In:

First click the View Folder button in the upper right corner of the screen. This will open the folder log-in window.

Enter your user ID (your e-mail address) and password in the appropriate fields, then click Log In. You may begin to use the folder immediately.

See below if you need help remembering your password.

What to Do if You Forget Your Password:

If you need help recovering your password, first click the View Folder button in the upper right corner of the screen. This will open the folder log-in window. To recover your password, click the Forgot your password? link in the lower-left corner of the log-in box.

A new dialog box will prompt you to enter your e-mail address. After doing so, click the Send me a reminder button at the bottom of the dialog box. A password reminder will be sent to your e-mail address.

Back to Top

From this menu, you may choose to Browse or Search biographies of current and historical Americans in sports, politics, science, literature, and other fields. Click on this link to access the following search and display options:

Browse by Occupation/Profession:

Lists general occupational categories, such as "Activists" and "Lawyers and Judges." Clicking on an occupation will generate an alphabetical list of people whose area of activity matches the one chosen. Many people fall into more than one category; those people will appear in each list that matches one of their occupations.

Browse by Subject Area:

Lists general topics, such as "African-American Studies" and "Integration and Desegregation." Clicking on one of the topics generates a list of biographies that relate to that category.

Browse by Time Period:

Lists both general history eras and eras specific to African-American History. Clicking on an era generates a list of biographies that fall into that historical period.

Browse by Alphabetical Index:

Click on any letter of the alphabet to generate a list of biographies indexed by surname.

Search Biographies:

Use the search box to conduct a targeted search of the Biographies. Use any of the pull-down menus beneath the search box to limit your search to a particular occupation, subject area, or historic era. When you've entered the pertinent information in the search fields, click the Search button; or click Reset to clear the fields.

NOTE: This search box accepts the same options and commands as the basic search box in the left menu.

Back to Top

These entries explain key concepts, themes, events, court cases, legislation, movements, and organizations. Click on this link to access the following search and display options:

Browse by Subject Area:

Lists general topics, such as "Harlem Renaissance" and "Affirmative Action." Clicking on one of the topics generates a list of subject entries that relate to that category.

Browse by Time Period:

Lists both general history eras and eras specific to African-American History. Clicking on an era generates a list of subject entries that fall into that historical period.

Search Subject Entries:

Use the search box to conduct a targeted search of the Subject Entries. Use any of the pull-down menus beneath the search box to limit your search to a particular subject area or historic era. For example, by searching on protest but limiting the search to 1961–1979: The Vietnam War and the Modern Feminist Movement you would be able to locate entries on Vietnam-Era protests without entries from other periods. When you've entered the pertinent information in the search fields, click the Search button; or click Reset to clear the fields at any time.

NOTE: This search box accepts the same options and commands as the basic search box in the left menu.

Back to Top

The full text of pivotal court decisions, speeches, political platforms, and other documents in African-American History. Click on this link to access the following search and display options:

Browse by Primary Source Type: