Primary Sources

Primary Resources Research Guide Prepared by The D. B. Weldon Library Research & Instructional Services
Table of Contents Canada America Britain Europe Latin America & Pacific Asia, Africa & Middle East		What is a Primary Source? Primary sources are accounts of events described or recorded by someone who either witnessed or participated in the events, or who received their information from others who did.  These sources can include: diaries, speeches, letters, memoirs, interviews, autobiographies, memos, manuscripts, government documents, reports and minutes of organizations, photographs, some websites and blogs, and government documents. There are many primary sources listed in the Government Publications Research Guide. Newspapers, news transcripts, and broadcast tapes can be considered a primary resource because news reports are written at the time of the event.  If the report/story contains a first-hand eye-witness account or reflects popular thinking, cultural attitudes, debates and discussions of the event, then it can be considered a primary source. How do I find Primary Sources? Western Libraries provides access to thousands of primary documents in print, microform and electronic format.  Consult the primary sources pages, which are listed by geographic region in the Table of Contents, to find resources appropriate to your topic.  Listed on each page are selected online resources that provide access to comprehensive collections of primary sources for specific regions, time periods, and topic areas.
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