Reconstruction, 1865-1877

It can be difficult to know which websites are trustworthy and which are less reputable. To evaluate a website (or any source you encounter), use the following criteria:

Currency:

• When was the page created and/or updated?
• Do the links on the page work?
• Does your topic require current information?

Relevance:

• Does the information relate to your topic?
• Who is the intended audience? Is the level too elementary or advanced for your needs?
• Do the links lead to other reputable sited?

Authority:

• What type of organization published this site? (.edu, .gov, .org, .com).
• Who is the author, publisher, or source? Is there contact information?
• Is the author qualified to write on this topic?

Accuracy:

• Where does the information come from? Has it been reviewed (Peer reviewed)?
• Is the information supported by evidence? Can you verify it in another source?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or typing errors?

Purpose:

• Always ask, why was this written and for whom.
• Is the purpose of this site to teach, inform, entertain, sell, or persuade?
• Is the information factual, opinion or propaganda, objective or impartial?
• Are there political, religious, cultural, ideological, or personal biases?
• Is advertising clearly differentiated from the informational content?

The National Archives has assembled a list of links to Freedmen's Bureau resources, including the guide to the microfilm set, images, and articles from Prologue, the journal of the Archives.