How is local history thought about? How should it be approached? What is the context behind local events and institutions? Where does one start? Through brief, succinct notes and essay-length entries, the Encyclopedia of Local History presents ideas to consider, sources to use, historical fields and trends to explore. It also provides commentary on a number of subjects, including the everyday topics that most local historians encounter. Useful appendices provide information on ethnic groups, religious organizations, and immigration. A handy reference tool that no public historian's desk should be without! Topics include: African-American history, agricultural history, almanacs, archives, biographical dictionaries, business history, census, children's history, copyright, economic history, family, genealogy, government records, historic preservation, labor history, maps, obituaries, photography, regionalism, slang, state historical journals, tourism, toys, virtual shopping, zoos.