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?
- What is missing?
I've included some collections of primary sources in this guide to help get you started.
However, part of your historical research will include exploring the bibliographies, reference lists, works cited, or notes sections of books and journal articles to discover citations or pathways to other primary sources.
"The Empire's Sugar Cane" - Empire Marketing Board poster (1926-1939)
Image source: The National Archives, via AM Global Commodities database