AFRS 243: African Literature

In this Guide, you will find: 

• Links to digitized primary sources such as newspapers, yearbooks, and other publications
• Links to local histories relating to Northeast and Eastern Iowa 
• Suggested reference resources if you want to look into the background of immigration in America 

Researching local history can be challenging. Some tips to get you started: 

• Be specific! Africa is a large place had has several countries. Instead of searching for "African immigrants" or "Africa immigration" try "Kenya immigration" or "Ugandan immigrants."
• Countries change names occasionally! Prior to 1980, Zimbabwe was known as Rhodesia. Use a variant of older or newer names, especially when working with older sources.
• Skim through advertisements in newspapers for upcoming local lectures or cultural events. These types of activities can be hosted by immigrant groups and tell you about the community and its members.
• Immigrants who have come as refugees may have been sponsored by a local civic or religious organization. Look for evidence of fundraising on behalf of these types of sponsorships in newspapers. 
• Stuck? Ask a librarian for help! We're here to assist!