Primary+sources



Primary source documents are at the heart and soul of historical research. What is a primary source you ask? They are original records created at the time historical events occurred or afterwards in the form of memoirs and oral histories. They can include letters, manuscripts, diaries, speeches, maps, audio recordings, or artifacts. A secondary source, for example your textbook or another work that is about a historical event, uses primary sources as the basis for their content but they interpret and analyze historical events. They are useful in their own right but primary sources "cut to the chase" and can be very useful in your own research. The following are extensive collections of primary sources as well as directories of primary source collections available on the web. These might come in handy for your multimedia presentations:

Primary source pathfinder- Super useful tool/customized search engine from Springield Township Library that searches primary source specific websites.

[|Library of Congress American Memory]-- The motherload of primary sources regarding US history

[|History Matters]--A great collection of US History related primary sources as well as recommended websites.

Chronicling America- Historic American Newspapers (1860-1920) from the Library of Congress

New York Public Library Digital Collections--Wonderful image collections. Particularly strong in African American History (Schomburg Center).

[|Smithsonian Libraries]--A guide to various online exhibitions from libraries, archives, and museums around the world. Lots to work with here.

SDST Library Primary Source Guide--A collection of recommended links to primary sources on the web. Lots of links to historical speeches, editorial cartoons and maps.

[|UC Berkley guide to collections of primary sources]-- Another list of links, more good stuff.