Guide to Finding Primary Sources
at the Hanson Public Library

What is a primary source?
A primary source is a document (such as a letter, diary, speech, or newspaper article) that was written by someone who experienced the event you are researching. Generally, it is written during the time period of the event.

Searching iBistro, the Online Catalog

Using the Advanced Search, combine a words or phrase search for the person or topic you are researching with
a subject search for:
correspondence       sources       speeches
addresses       diaries       personal narratives

Using the Advanced Search, combine a words or phrase search for the person or topic you are researching with
a words or phrase search for:
primary source$       primary document$       memoir$
interview$       eyewitness account$       firsthand account$
[note: $ indicates truncation]

Sample series searches:

Great Trials of the Twentieth Century       Library of America
Great American Political Documents       History Firsthand
Debating Historical Issues in the Media of the Time

If you are researching a particular person, search for them as an author.

Adult and Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction Sections in the Library
Materials may be found in the 300s, 800s, or 900s. Specific titles include:

Young Adult
The Articles of Confederation: A Primary Source Investigation into the
Document That Preceded the U.S. Constitution………………………................342.73 Cal
Words of the Ancient Romans: Primary Sources……………………………...…….937 Nar
America under Attack: Primary Sources………………………………….…...973.931 Ame
Voices of the Holocaust………………………………………………………...940.53 Voi

Adult
Auschwitz Chronicle…………………………………………………………....940.53 Cze
World War II Letters: A Glimpse into the Heart of the Second World War
Through the Words of Those Who Were Fighting It………………….................940.54 Wor
A Treasury of the World's Great Letters from Ancient Days to Our Own
Time…………………………………………………………………...........…….808.86 S
Witness to America: An Illustrated Documentary History of the United
States from the Revolution to Today……….….………………………..............…...973 Wi
Historic Speeches of African Americans………………………………..…………....815 Hi
Patriots: The Vietnam War Remembered From All Sides………………...…....959.704 App
The Revolution Remembered: Eyewitness Accounts of the War for
Independence……………………………….………………………...........……...973.3 D
Words That Changed America: Great Speeches That Inspired,
Challenged, Healed, and Enlightened…………………………………..............…808.5 Bar
Eyewitness to America: 500 Years of America in the Words of Those
Who Saw It Happen……………………………………………………..........……973 Ey

Reference Section
Twentieth-Century America: A Primary Source Collection from
The Associated Press………………………………………………............…973.921 Twe
WWII: Primary Sources………………………………………………………….940.53 Bi
Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History………………………...……….808.85 Len
Slavery in America: From Colonial Times to the Civil War……………......…….973.0496 Sc
Women's Suffrage in America: An Eyewitness History………………….....………..324.6 Fr
Annals of America………………………………………………...……...Homework Center
Debating Historical Issues in the Media of the Time series…………......………...Ask at Desk

On the Web

American Memory
    http://memory.loc.gov
The National Archives
    http://www.archives.gov
AMDOCS: Documents for the Study of American History
    http://www.vlib.us/amdocs/
Eurodocs : Online sources for European History
     http://www.eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page
Making of America – University of Michigan
    http://moa.umdl.umich.edu/
Making of America – Cornell University
     http://moa.cit.cornell.edu/moa
Documenting the American South
    http://docsouth.unc.edu/
Virtual Jamestown
    http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/vcdh/jamestown
Historical New York Times Project
     http://www.nyt.ulib.org/
Famous Trials
     http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ftrials.htm

If you need assistance locating or accessing any of these resources, please ask a staff member or call us at 781-293-2151.

Updated Jan 19, 2007