1. Choose index volume for desired year.
For certain years, make sure you are in the correct portion of the volume:
*1863-1905        Volumes split into quarterly or half-yearly portions.
1913-1929         *Indexing for early years is idiosyncratic. Ask for help when you need it.

1931-1947         Each year is split alphabetically into two volumes.
1973-1975

1863-1904         Check Table of Contents for applicable subdivision such as Editorial,
                           Foreign, War, General, Miscellaneous, or News.

2. Locate desired topic.
All subject headings are alphabetical in uppercase bold type. All entries are chronological under each heading (except for headings where an alphabetical list of entries is easier, such as under "Deaths," "Book Reviews," or "Motion Pictures"). Significant news items are in bold type.

                    Main Heading---                 Education and Schools. See also
                                                                     Athletics and Sports
                                                                     Colleges and Universities
                    Related                                     Culture
                    Subject---                                 Illiteracy
                    Headings                                   Mental Retardation
                                                                     Scholarships and Fellowships
                                                                     Sex Education
                                                                     Vocational Training
 

As of 1990, the section indicators (A, B,C, and I, II, III, etc.) match the actual system used in the newspaper itself. Before 1990, however, Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, etc.) were used to indicate all sections, even if the sections in the actual newspaper were designated with letter (A, B, C, etc.)

The New York Times Index uses the words "see also" to suggest other subject headings under which more information on a topic may be found. These suggested headings may be followed by a date as in the example above. This date directs you to a specific article in the Index under that subject heading. A date alone is not enough information to locate an article.

3. Locate appropriate reel of microfilm.

Reels are filed chronologically. In the above example of February 5, 1993 look in the drawer with the row labeled "Jan 1993 - Aug 1993" and find the box marked:     1993
                                                                            February
                                                                                1-14

Terminology changes over time, ask for help at the Reference and Information Desk on Haggard 2 when you have difficulty finding your term.  Examples:

1. If searching for articles on Black Americans, the subject heading: "Blacks (in US)" has been used since 1977. For earlier articles, search under: "Negroes"

2. The names of governmental agencies change over time. For instance, the Department of  Health and Human Services can be found under: "United States--Health and Human Services, Department of" (from 1980 forward). But it was formerly part of the Department of Health, Education & Welfare (1953-1979) and would be found under: "United States--Health, Education & Welfare, Department of (HEW)" for those years. But it was part of the Federal Security Agency before that so you would look under: "United States-- Security Agency, Federal (FSA)" for pre-1953 articles, and so on.

1. Personal name Index to the New York Times Index, 1851-1974.
This index allows you to trace the coverage of a particular person over time (1851-1974). The citations given are not to the pages of the actual newspapers but to the pages of the appropriate index volume. This means you can scan the abstracts of the articles to see if they are pertinent before pulling the reels of microfilm.
Example:
           Tubman, Harriet 1913 I, 238; (1821-1913) 1970, 1931
           Tubman, Harriet Ross - (1920-1913) 1971, 1705; 1973, 2369; 1974, 2418
Note: Name variations may represent the same person as in the example above. At the same time multiple citations listed under one name cannot be considered proof that only one person is cited.

The first number of the citation is the year. The Roman numeral refers to the quarterly index of early volumes:
Jan-Mar = I; Apr-Jun = II; Jul-Sept = III; Oct-Dec = IV.

The last number is the page number of that particular index where the abstract can be found.
 

2.  The New York Times Cumulative Subject & Personal Name Index: Women, 1965-1975.

• Topically arranged (see Table of Contents for breakdown).
• Includes a Geographic Index, a Names Index, an Organizations Index, and a Subject Index, all located at the back of the volume.
• A chronology of significant events is in the front of the volume.

3.  The New York Times Cumulative Subject & Personal Name Index: Environment, 1965-1975.

• Topically arranged (see Table of Contents for breakdown).
• Includes a Geographic Index, a Subject Index, an Organizations Index, and a Names Index, all located at the back of the volume.
• A Chronology of significant events is in the front of the volume.
• Also includes a List of Legislation (1965-1975) pertaining to the environment at the back of the volume.

Ask for assistance at the Media/Circulation Desk, Wilson 2nd Floor Central, or the Reference and Information Services Desk on Haggard 2.

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Created and Maintained by Julene Sodt  Last Update:  4/2002