Couch Historian Webisodes
Couch Historian Web Courses
Have a computer? Stuck at home? Our Research Library and Archives mascot Maude A. Spider will teach you how to navigate the interwebs and learn more about your local history from the comfort of your own home. Hone your online research skills, learn about free web resources and learn how to spin your own histories in her weekly web episodes. Test your new skills with a skills test worksheet! Learn more about researching Mid-Willamette Valley History and the Willamette Heritage Center at www.willametteheritage.org/research.
Episodes:
Episode 1 (March 25): How old is this house?
An introduction to the Marion County Assessor’s Office Property Records, City of Salem’s Historic Building Map and the Oregon Historic Sites Database.
Download the practice exercises here: How Old is this House? Practice Exercises
Download the answer key here: How Old is this House? Answer Key
Episode 2 (April 1): All the News
Have a computer? Stuck at home? Our Research Library and Archives mascot Maude A. Spider will teach you how to navigate the interwebs and learn more about learn more about your local history from the comfort of your own home.
In this week’s episode we will explore two free, online newspaper databases:
All websites are free to use and open to the public!
Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.
Download the practice exercises here: All the News Practice Exercises
Download the answer key here: All the News Answer Key
Episode 3 (April 8): Fun With Historical Maps
In today’s episode we go back to what Oregon looked like in the 1850s and 1860s and introduce how to use Government Land Office Records and translate them to modern maps.
We’ll explore:
- Government Land Office Records made accessible by the Bureau of Land Management
- ORMAP System made accessible by the State of Oregon
Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.
Download the practice exercises here: Fun with Historical Maps Practice Exercises
Download the answer key here: Fun With Historical Maps Answer Key
Episode 4 (April 15): Introduction to Census Records
In today’s episode we look at Census Records and what they can tell us about people living in our community in the past.
We’ll explore:
- The Internet Archive’s Census Records
- FamilySearch.org’s Census Records
***Note: Both of these resources are free to access, but you will need to set up a free account with FamilySearch.org to access their materials.
Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.
Download the practice exercises here: Introduction to Census Records Practice Exercises
Download the blank census tracking form here: Census Tracking Form
Download the answer key here: Introduction to Census Records Answer Key
In today’s episode, explore eight websites that can help you on your search for historical photographs documenting this history of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
We’ll explore resources from:
- Willamette Heritage Center
- City of Salem’s Oregon Historic Photograph Collections (including materials from the Salem Public Library, Oregon State Archives, Bush House Museum, Statesman Journal and Willamette Heritage Center)
- State Library of Oregon
- Oregon Historical Society
- St. Paul Mission Historical Society
- Willamette University Archives & Special Collections
- Oregon State University Special Collections & Archives
- Library of Congress
Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.
Download the practice exercises here: Finding Historic Photographs Online Practice Exercises
Download the answer key here: Finding Historical Photographs Online Answer Key
Episode 6: Marion County Surveys and Deeds
In today’s episode, we’ll introduce two simple tools for finding property records, deeds and surveys in Marion County, Oregon.
We’ll look at the:
- Survey Graphic Index from the Marion County Surveyor’s Office
- Marion County Deed Records found on FamilySearch.Org
Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.
Download the practice exercises here: Marion County Surveys and Deeds Practice Sheet
Download the answer key here: Marion County Surveys and Deeds Answer Key
Episode 7: Walk around the Historical Block
In today’s episode, we’ll introduce two simple tools for accessing Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps in Salem, Oregon. These maps are like little time capsules outlining what blocks used to look like years ago.
We will look at the 1895 Map from the Library Congress Digital Collections (open and free access to anyone with the internet!): https://www.loc.gov/item/sanborn07453_004/
We will also show you how to access an Online Sanborn Maps database for free with a Salem Public Library Card! https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/library.aspx