Specialized Encyclopedias /Subject Sources
Let's look at subject specific reference sources. There are reference sources relevant to every discipline, and many reference sources are subject specific. Many are intended to provide specific or specialized information and are arranged for quick and easy use with detailed indexes to the contents. There are specialized or subject based reference sources for most topics that can not only give you an overview and the basic facts but can also guide you in your exploration of the topic area.
Even the latest information regarding slavery from Britannica Online is not especially helpful in your need to know more about the effects of slavery on survivors and survivors' children. So what to do now? Look for a specialized encyclopedia. There are numerous subject specific encyclopedias. There is a six volume specialized encyclopedia on aspects of African-American history called the African-American Encyclopedia. Check the online catalog of your library to see if it is available.
A quick review of the encyclopedia's index ( remember the index first strategy!) indicates a number of page references including the following: children, 302-304, slavery 1476-1487, and emancipation proclamation, 527-530. What a gold mine! There are pages of information on each of these topics including a general survey of slavery. Some sections have short bibliographies of books and journal articles.
This specialized subject source can help you focus your research, increase your understanding, persuade you that considerable research has been undertaken during the past 130-140 years, and point you to other books and journal articles you just might want to search on Innopac.
