With COVID-19 concerns prompting more people than ever to explore their own history through online research, GHS staff are often asked what is the best way to begin the online research process. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing some tips and resources to help you begin your journey of exploration whatever it might be. 

There are many research tools available at GHS including the digital image catalog, online catalog and digitized finding aids. Today we are focusing on the digital image catalog. The Georgia Historical Society  Digital Image Catalog contains many digitized images of photographs, prints, artifacts, portraits, and other collection materials. It is not a complete catalog of all collections held by the Georgia Historical Society, but new digital images are added regularly. Images can be searched by using the Keyword Search or Advanced Search.  
 
For example, when conducting research for a historic preservation project or maybe just exploring what a particular street or neighborhood used to look like, researchers can search the Digital Image Catalog. GHS has a variety of photographs, postcards, maps, and other digitized visual materials related to cities like Savannah, Brunswick, Augusta, and Atlanta—as well as other cities across the state. Using the Keyword Search or Advanced Search, researchers can type in the name of a city or street to view available images in the GHS collections.  
 
The image below was found using the Keyword Search. (Search term: "Athens" AND “Hotel”) It is a postcard depicting the Georgian Hotel in Athens, Georgia during the first half of the 20th century.  

Remember, even though the Research Center is temporarily closed for renovation, GHS staff are available to address quick reference questions and offer assistance in the use of GHS online resources. Please submit all reference questions to library@georgiahistory.com.