Witches and Witchcraft in New England and Salem
Historical witches in Salem Village and elsewhere in New England and early America: witchhunts and witch trials. Often called the "witch craze," during these periods people -- often women -- were identified as witches, often with little evidence. What's the real story?
Salem Witch Trials - Recommended Books
A selection of the best books to read to learn more about the New England witch hunts. Some books look at why most of the accused were women; others focus on alternate explanations, including legal rules, disease, psychology, religion and so forth.
A selection of the best books to read to learn more about the New England witch hunts. Some books look at why most of the accused were women; others focus on alternate explanations, including legal rules, disease, psychology, religion and so forth.
FAQ's About the Salem Witch Trials
From a commercial museum commemorating the Salem Witch trials of 1692, some quick answers to common questions. For more depth, you'll want to consult other resources, but it's a good starting point.
From a commercial museum commemorating the Salem Witch trials of 1692, some quick answers to common questions. For more depth, you'll want to consult other resources, but it's a good starting point.
Images of the Salem Witchcraft Trials
Fourteen images from unnamed sources, illustrating the trials, executions, people and village.
Fourteen images from unnamed sources, illustrating the trials, executions, people and village.
Life in Salem 1692: Economic and Social Divisions
From the Discovery Channel, the basic facts about Salem Town versus Salem Village and tensions in Salem Village, especially around the powerful Putnam family and Reverend Samuel Parris, the newest Salem Village minister.
From the Discovery Channel, the basic facts about Salem Town versus Salem Village and tensions in Salem Village, especially around the powerful Putnam family and Reverend Samuel Parris, the newest Salem Village minister.
Life in Salem 1692: Puritan Children
What was life like for the children of Salem? Hard work, few opportunities for fun and play, many prohibitions. This Discovery Channel page suggests that these conditions might have been a factor in the actions of the young girls who "sparked the witch hunt."
What was life like for the children of Salem? Hard work, few opportunities for fun and play, many prohibitions. This Discovery Channel page suggests that these conditions might have been a factor in the actions of the young girls who "sparked the witch hunt."
Life in Salem 1692: Religion and Witchcraft
From the Discovery Channel, some basic information on Puritan religion and belief in witchcraft and the Devil.
From the Discovery Channel, some basic information on Puritan religion and belief in witchcraft and the Devil.
New Light on Witchcraft
Joseph McCabe's skeptical approach to the history of witchcraft and the evolving definition of "witch," part of a larger critique of Christianity.
Joseph McCabe's skeptical approach to the history of witchcraft and the evolving definition of "witch," part of a larger critique of Christianity.
Salem, Massachusetts: What About Witches
History of the Salem witchcraft craze presented by Salemweb, including links to local sites. Links to further information for understanding today's witches.
History of the Salem witchcraft craze presented by Salemweb, including links to local sites. Links to further information for understanding today's witches.
Salem Village Witchcraft Victims' Memorial
Danvers, Massachusetts, memorial, with names of and quotes from many of the victims.
Danvers, Massachusetts, memorial, with names of and quotes from many of the victims.
Salem Witch Trials
Summary from The History Channel.
Summary from The History Channel.
Salem Witch Trials Chronology 1692
A timeline of the events from the first incident later labeled as "witchcraft" to the last conviction.
A timeline of the events from the first incident later labeled as "witchcraft" to the last conviction.
Salem Witchcraft
An essay looking at the possible causes of the Salem witch trials, by Tim Sutter, 2000.
An essay looking at the possible causes of the Salem witch trials, by Tim Sutter, 2000.
Salem: Witchcraft Hysteria
From National Geographic, an online feature to accompany/enrich their 1997 print feature on the witchcraft craze of Salem, in 1692.
From National Geographic, an online feature to accompany/enrich their 1997 print feature on the witchcraft craze of Salem, in 1692.
Salem: Witchcraft Hysteria Interactive
This illustrated site includes a few tidbits about the Salem Witch Trials. The bibliograpy and an "ask the expert" list of questions may be found via the pull-down menu. The online feature is meant to accompany/enrich the 1997 National Geographic print feature on the witchcraft craze of Salem, in 1692.
This illustrated site includes a few tidbits about the Salem Witch Trials. The bibliograpy and an "ask the expert" list of questions may be found via the pull-down menu. The online feature is meant to accompany/enrich the 1997 National Geographic print feature on the witchcraft craze of Salem, in 1692.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
National Geographic online depiction of the Salem witch hysteria. An "interactive" feature.
National Geographic online depiction of the Salem witch hysteria. An "interactive" feature.
Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692
Includes chronology; biographies of some of the key figures; legal documents including petitions, a death warrant, petitions for compensation; images; information on the play The Crucible, bibliography and more links. Part of a larger "Famous Trials" website.
Includes chronology; biographies of some of the key figures; legal documents including petitions, a death warrant, petitions for compensation; images; information on the play The Crucible, bibliography and more links. Part of a larger "Famous Trials" website.
Statistical Analysis of the Accused
Age, sex, marital status and residence of the people accused of witchcraft in 1692 Salem.
Age, sex, marital status and residence of the people accused of witchcraft in 1692 Salem.
Statistical Analysis of the Afflicted
Age, sex, marital status and residence of the "afflicted" - those who were supposedly the victims of the accused witches of Salem.
Age, sex, marital status and residence of the "afflicted" - those who were supposedly the victims of the accused witches of Salem.
Story of the Witch Hunt
Six minute downloadable movie highlighting the Salem Witch Trials. Suitable for classroom use, from the Discovery Channel.
Six minute downloadable movie highlighting the Salem Witch Trials. Suitable for classroom use, from the Discovery Channel.
Witchcraft in Salem Village
Original documents from the Salem 1692, presented by the Peabody Institute Library and the Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia.
Original documents from the Salem 1692, presented by the Peabody Institute Library and the Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia.
Books on the Salem Witch Trials
A selection of the best books to read to learn more about the New England witch hunts. Some books look at why most of the accused were women; others focus on alternate explanations, including legal rules, disease, psychology, religion and so forth.
A selection of the best books to read to learn more about the New England witch hunts. Some books look at why most of the accused were women; others focus on alternate explanations, including legal rules, disease, psychology, religion and so forth.