A more in-depth look into American legal history resources, including primary and secondary sources, s available on the American Legal History research guide.
Law journals do not become widespread in the United States until the late 19th century, yet they too existed to report on legal news. The Index to Legal Periodicals, until recently available online only from 1980, is now available from the 1700s. Most law journals are now also available in electronic format, as well as microfilm and paper formats, through HeinOnline. Law journal articles, no matter when published, are excellent sources of secondary and primary information, and should not be neglected.
The earliest American law journals are from the second half of the 19th century, but they are still very valuable as sources of legal information. Most of the law journals are available in paper format, before 1980, on the first floor of the Law Library, though the collection is incomplete. Microfilm versions of most of the law journals are also available in the Law Library, on the 3rd floor, in Media. The easiest way to search them, though is through Hein Online. Non-legal journals should not be neglected. Indices to both of these times of journals are available in the library and online.
Georgetown Law Library call number: Reference KF8 .I39 and SPECL KF8 .I39 Quarto
Early American colonial newspapers, such as the Maryland Gazette, or the Pennsylvania Gazette, were often the only place official legal documents and proceedings were printed. So too will early British newspapers, such as the London Times or the Observer include such original materials. In the late 19th century, newspapers such as the New York Times or the Washington Star also carried the more sensational criminal proceedings of the day. Some, such as the Chicago Legal News were devoted to legal news exclusively. Many of these printed sources are available on microfilm, and a few are starting to be digitized online. The Library of Congress Periodical Reading Room is a very good place to go for indices to obscure early newspapers, and for many of the microfilm editions of these papers.