Primary sources are unique materials that are created at the time of a historical event that can serve as proof of historical facts. Primary sources are unfiltered materials; the information is not interpreted by someone who was not a witness to the event. Primary sources provide a window into the past. How do we know about events that have passed? Through the primary sources that participants left behind.
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Examples of Primary Sources
Often primary sources are unique, one-of-a-kind, and available only in one location, such as an archives or a manuscripts library.
"Papers" is the term generally used for collections created by individuals or families as they lived their lives. These collections may contain things like letters, diaries, speeches, photographs, and all sorts of ephemera (such as posters and flyers), to name just a few of the types of documents you might find.
"Records" is quite often used to describe the collections created by government agencies, businesses, and organizations. These collections may contain some of the same types of materials as personal papers, like correspondence and speeches, but they can also contain constitutions and by-laws, financial records, membership records, legal documents, and subject files. Again, this is just a few of the possible types of records.
Don't be confused if the archives you go to doesn't use these terms this way, and you find that the organization you are interested in has "Papers" instead of "Records"!
Some sources can be created at a later date but are still a primary source because they were created by persons intimately involved in the events. Examples include:
Interviews, including audio, video, and even written notes or typed transcripts.
Copies of primary sources can be available at many different locations because they have been digitized, microfilmed, or published. Examples include:
Digital copies of any of the types of primary sources listed above that have been posted on websites and in blogs.
Newspapers often have been microfilmed or digitized, but some historical societies or libraries may still have the actual paper newspapers. (Microfilm often can be borrowed on Interlibrary Loan.)
Microfilm “editions” of archival collections can be one or more microfilm reels with images of each document in an archival collection. (Microfilm often can be borrowed on Interlibrary Loan.)
Publications can contain primary sources, like quotations from archival sources used in books or articles, or entire archival collections published in books.
Some Things to Keep in Mind When Using Primary Sources
Even primary sources are written from a particular point of view. Think critically about the source you're looking at—was it written by someone who came from only one side of the event? Is only one side of the story apparent in the document? If so, try to find other documents that give all points of view of a controversial issue.
Ask a lot of questions about the primary source you're using. What did you notice first about this item? Who created this source? Who is the audience for this item, and how does that figure in with the point of view? What does this primary source tell you about the history of the event or trend you're researching? Does it contradict what you thought, or read, about the event or trend? In what ways?
Sometimes primary sources only make sense in the context of the collection, or, in other words, how they relate to other materials in the collection. For example, a single entry in a diary sometimes won't make sense unless you read the whole diary and understand the whole point of view of the writer.
Secondary works about the topic can provide the context needed to more fully understand a primary source. Make sure you have done some reading about your topic before a visit to the archives. The more you understand about your topic the more the primary sources will "make sense." Some archives have secondary works about the topic of your collection--ask before you come!
Some primary sources, especially older ones, are handwritten, and can be hard to read. Try to decipher the handwriting but speak to an archivist if you just can't read the document. A transcription (typed version) may be available, or the archivist may be able to read a word or two you cannot decipher.
It is important for the bibliography of your process paper to correctly cite the primary sources you use. Remember that when you cite a single resource you must include the collection name that the item came from. Here is an example of a citation for a primary source: Letter from Mrs. A. Smith to Mr. B. Smith, January 1, 1900. Box 5, Folder 36, Smith Family Papers. Special Collections Department, Big State University Libraries.
Some Key Teacher Resources on Using Primary Sources
These are examples of a few websites that explain how to teach students to work with primary sources. They suggest methods, activities, and examples.
Library of Congress “Teachers” - “Primary Sources”
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