HIST 214: Sandin, J. (Summer 2024): Primary sources
What is a primary source?
What is Primary Source?
A primary source is information in its original form. A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time that is being studied. It has NOT been interpreted or translated.
Examples of Primary Sources Include
- Audio: oral histories, memoirs, interviews, music
- Images: photographs, videos, film, fine art
- Objects: clothing, tools, pottery gravestones, weapons, memorabilia
- Statistics: Census data, population statistics, weather records
- Text: letters, diaries, original documents, legal agreements, treaties, maps, laws, advertisements, recipes, genealogical information, sermons/lectures
Remember: A copy of a primary source is also a primary source!
You might find primary sources on your topic in TCC books and reference books (both print and online), magazines, newspapers (TCC research databases), and on academic institution and archive websites that host special historical collections.
- What is a primary source?Definitions and examples of primary and secondary sources, Ithaca College Library
Primary sources at the TCC Library
The TCC Library collection contains a number of primary source materials on the history of the PNW.
To find these sources in the library catalog, try incorporating the keywords listed below in your catalog search.
- narrative
- diary
- journal
- travels
- letters
- eyewitness
An example search might be look like this, depending on your chosen topic:
Find primary sources - Historic New York Times
As a TCC student, you are able to set up an account for the New York Times, which is a great source for finding primary sources.
Here's how to set up your account::
- Click on this link (https://nytimesineducation.com/access-nyt/)
- Complete the steps to set up your account
Here's how to search for your topic:
- Click the 3-barred icon on the top left of the page
- Click "More" at the very bottom of the list
- Select "Timesmachine."
- Click on the magnifying glass search icon on the top right
- Click "change dates" at the bottom of the box
- It will automatically look for articles written beginning in 1851 but you'll need to change the ending date to fit your research needs.
- Now enter your search terms in the search box.
- Click search.
Online primary source websites
- Civil Rights - Washington State oral historiesLinks to oral histories relevant to the civil rights movement in Washington State; part of the Civil Rights History Project, from the American Folklife Center and the Library of Congress.
- Pacific Northwest Primary Sources - Alaska, Idaho, OregonA collection of links to sites on general Pacific Northwest history, and sites with primary sources related to Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon. From the UW Libraries research guide.
- Washington State Primary SourcesCollection of links to images, maps, historical newspapers, and other digital collections with material on Washington State History. From the UW Libraries research guide.
Find primary sources - JSTOR database
Finding primary sources in JSTOR is straightforward. Here's how:
1. Enter your search term(s) in the search box and click "search."
2. On the left of the page look for "Primary Source Content."
3. Select the format preference.
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