What Are Primary Sources?
Primary sources are first-hand accounts of an event or time in history. They are considered original sources that have not yet been interpreted, analyzed, or evaluated by another person.
When you are looking at primary sources, keep in mind these questions:
- What evidence was created?
- what is it asking?
- why was it created?
- what can it tell you?
- what can't it tell you?
- What evidence was saved, and where?
How to Find Primary Sources in UCSB Library Search
To find primary sources via UC Library Search, search the Library Catalog and type in words that represent your general topic. Here's an example of a search for primary sources that have something to do with Renaissance women.
In the top line, type in your topical words: women AND Renaissance.
In the line below your topical words, type in Subject words that represent primary sources. Such words include:
- autobiographies
- correspondence
- diaries
- journals
- manuscripts
- memoirs
- pamphlets
- personal narratives
- sources
- speeches, addresses etc.
Try different combinations of topical and Subject words to make sure that you are finding all of the primary sources available to you in the UCSB Library.
Handwritten account of the bombing of Hiroshima, by survivor Haruo Shimizu.
Image source: Library of Congress Manuscript Collection
