Historical research is much easier than it used to be. Large collections of historical materials (letters, maps, images, personal narratives) have been digitized by historical societies and archives around the world. Check out this section to see the best examples and learn how to find them.
Books will be an essential part of your research. Remember that they are not available for free on the web, unless they are very old. Check out various types of books available in libraries that will make your research much easier.
Whether you live in a big city near a large public library or in a very small town with a tiny library, it doesn't really matter anymore. In most states, you can connect to the library resources available in the main llibrary. Click on the library building to see what kind of resources and services you can expect!