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Library Catalog

Descriptions of early and modern manuscripts in the Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center can be found by conducting a keyword search in the Library catalog. Search by author, title, subject, or by the unique number assigned to the manuscript in the call number field (i.e., Ms100, Ms965). Try limiting your search results by Location (Special Collections Research Center) and by Format (Archives/Manuscripts).

Looking for codex manuscripts? Start with this tailored catalog search. Results can be refined by language, date, or other criteria listed under "Narrow Search" on your computer, or by clicking "Refine Results" on your mobile device.

Tip: Most manuscript collections have a basic catalog record, even if they don't yet have a detailed finding aid. Search the Library catalog and the finding aids database to learn about everything we might have on a topic.

Screen capture of finding aid for Ida B. Wells Papers

Finding Aids

A finding aid is a guide to an archival or manuscript collection. Finding aids include a narrative overview of the scope and contents of a collection, often followed by a listing of materials by box, folder, or item.

Tip: Our finding aids are the most detailed guides to manuscript collections from 1700 to the present.

Digital Resources

Digitized Early Manuscripts (pre-1700)

Early Western codex (bound) manuscripts. Many manuscripts described in these finding aids have been fully digitized. Links to PDFs are in the Inventory section of each finding aid.
The Edgar J. Goodspeed Manuscript Collection comprises 68 early Greek, Syriac, Ethiopic, Armenian, Arabic, and Latin manuscripts ranging in date from the 5th to the 19th centuries.
Sir Nicholas Bacon Collection of English Court and Manorial Documents (Circa 1200-1785. Partially digitized.)