Primary sources are original materials that were created firsthand; they have not been run through the filter of interpretation.
Because primary sources are the documents or artifacts closest to the topic of investigation, they are a great way to gain insight into and an understanding of an event or topic. Often they are created during the time period that is being studied but they can also be produced later by eyewitnesses or participants.
You may find primary sources in their original format (usually in an archive) or reproduced in a variety of ways: books, microfilm, digital, etc.
Examples are:
Add these words to the end of your search for resources on any topic to focus your search specifically on primary sources:
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For example: american revolution sources
You can find primary sources in books, and the MJC Library & Learning Center has several databases that would be perfect for this type of research.
Remember to add the words above to the end of your search to find primary sources. For example, slavery personal narratives.
The MJC Library has several databases that are filled with primary sources.
Click on the link below to access our primary sources databases. Be sure to scroll down once you get to the Articles & Databases page so that you can see the Primary Sources databases.
View this video below to see a demonstration of how you find our primary source databases, and how you use the database entitled, African American Experience, to find primary sources.
Use these credible Web sites to find primary sources: