Women's Studies Section

Association of College & Research Libraries / American Library Association

OTHER
Maps

17th century - 19th century

Description

This is a fascinating collection of primary source documents on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and related material. Sources include court records, complete texts of contemporary books (dating 1690s-1800s), record books, historical maps of Salem, images of the original court documents from various archival institutions, and other images.

Women's Studies Content

Salem WItch Trials is an excellent source of information for women's studies. Biographies of “afflicted women” (accused witches), the trial transcriptions, and contemporary books (1690-1800 imprints) reveal attitudes towards and the socio-cultural milieu for women. One example of such attitudes is apparent in the biography of one of the hanged, Ann Pudaetor. Biographical information about the accused shows that women who defied the gender standard of the unassertive, dependent, and docile female put themselves at great risk to be singled out for punishment through witchcraft accusations.

Resources for women's studies are primarily text, but there are also a number of drawings and paintings as well as a map of withcraft accusations across Salem village.

Searching

Searching is limited to the court record books and contemporary books and letters for names of people involved in the trials. There is an alphabetical list of names, and each name is linked to related records.

Archive Review:
Toby Matoush
San Jose State University