In addition to consulting county histories, newspapers, and city directories, you can also use reference sources to learn the context and background for your ancestors.
Citation database of journal articles about U.S. and Canadian history ranging from prehistoric to present times.
Includes sources published from 1882 to present
Citation database about world history from 1450 to the present (excluding the United States and Canada; search America History and Life).
Includes sources published from 1883 to present