History

A general history research guide, highlighting the best resources for history research

What Are Primary Sources?

declaration of independancePrimary sources are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects which were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts or interpretations of events created by someone without firsthand experience.

-- Library of Congress

Example of a Primary Resource - The Declaration of Independence

Understanding Primary & Secondary Resources

Evaluating Primary Sources On Websites

Before relying on the information provided by a website, examine and understand the purpose of the website. While the purpose might not affect the accuracy of the primary source material it contains, it might indicate that the material has been altered or manipulated in some way to change or influence its meaning. More

Some sites containing primary sources

Below are some websites that contain primary resources. These are just some of the examples available online. Use the Evaulating Primary Websites link to the right to determine if the ones you find are legitimate resources.