How to Find Microfilm

The Library has approximately 4,000 reels of microfilm, including extensive collections of newspapers, church records, census records, passenger lists, and manuscripts.  In 2003, the Library staff and volunteers embarked on an ongoing project to catalog and re-number all the microfilm.  Nearly all of the microfilm is now included in the Library Catalog.

MdHS manuscript collections available on microfilm are so noted in the manuscript collection's catalog entry.  When microfilm is available, patrons are required to use it to help preserve the original manuscripts.

Where to Find the Microfilm

Microfilm with a call number of Micro followed by a number can be found in the microfilm cabinets along the north wall of the Microfilm Reading Room.  Some microfilm reels have not yet been assigned numbers, and they can be found in Microfilm Cabinet 7.

Most manuscript collections on microfilm can be found by MS number (the manuscript collection number) in Microfilm Cabinet 8, along the east wall of the Microfilm Reading Room by the rest rooms.  Some microfilm reels have more than one collection on them, so the numbers are not strictly chronological.  A guide to help you locate the appropriate reel is available in a red report cover on top of Microfilm Cabinet 8.