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What are primary sources?

What are Primary Sources?

Primary sources were either created during the time period being studied, or were created at a later date by a participant in the events being studied (as in the case of memoirs) and they reflect the individual viewpoint of a participant or observer. Primary sources enable the researcher to get as close as possible to what actually happened during an historical event or time period. 

General Search Strategies

Before you start searching it may be useful to find some background information on your topic. Reference works and secondary sources can help you find background information on your topic, including names, dates and other information you can use to search library catalogs and article databases/indexes.

The Libraries subject page for History lists many excellent strategies for finding historical information, including newspapers, government documents, and other biographical information.

Primary Source Search Strategies

Your search will be determined by the type of primary source you are looking for. For a detailed explanation on how to locate and use primary sources, see Library Research Using Primary Sources , from UC Berkeley, or Primary Sources Research , from Yale University.

 

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