About ArchiveIndex
What this site is and how links are selected.
What it is
ArchiveIndex is a directory of websites for historical research, including archives, digitised collections, genealogy sites, newspaper databases, maps, and research tools.
It is not a search engine, archive, or record database.
How links are chosen
Links are chosen for their usefulness in research.
- Official archives and established research platforms are preferred where possible.
- Free, paid, mixed, and account-required access are labelled.
- Commercial platforms are not presented as official archives.
- Descriptions are short and factual.
- Uncertain source details are marked as uncertain.
Ratings
Each source has one of three ratings:
- : start here.
- : useful for many searches.
- : useful for narrower topics or access needs.
Ratings reflect practical use, not institutional status.
Limits
- The directory is selective, not complete.
- Coverage claims from external sites are not independently checked.
- External sites can change, move, or go offline.
- Access conditions can change. Check the source before relying on it.
Technical note
ArchiveIndex is a static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript site. It has no login system or server-side database.