Primary Sources: What are Primary Sources?

Primary sources are the raw materials of history; an original document that contains contemporary, first-hand, evidence regarding a historical event, place, time, person, etc.

Examples of Primary Sources:

• Legal Documents - Affordable Care Act

• Letters/Diaries - Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Erastus Corning

• Speeches - Ronald Reagan State of the Union Address

• Creative Works - Communist Manifesto, Carl Marx and Frederick Engels

• Art/Architecture - Statue of Asclepius

• Period Newspapers - Evening Star, March 15, 1917

• Manuscripts/Archival Records - National Library of Medicine Archives

• Government Documents - Constitution of the United States

• Scientific Documents - Big Cities Health Coalition Data

• Introduction to Historical Research

Guide developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries that provides an overview of performing historical research. 

•  Reading, Writing, and Researching for History

Guide developed by Dr. Patrick Rael, professor of History at Bowdoin College. The guide provides advice on all aspects of historical research including reading history books, primary source research, and writing historical papers. 

• Learning Historical Research

Website, developed by Dr. William Cronon and students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which provides a basic introduction to those interested in historical research.

Examines the difference between primary and secondary sources using the John F. Kennedy Assassination. 

Credit: UC San Diego Library

Explains the differences between and how to use primary and secondary sources using the Star Wars franchise.