Books Many books have primary sources in them. This may mean that the whole book is a primary source, like an autobiography or diary or a book of letters, or it may mean that a secondary source CONTAINS primary source material.
There are many books available online. Many are available through databases to which the library subscribes. Some additional sites are listed below:
Library of Congress: American Memory Collectionhttp://www.loc.gov
Bartleby.com - Great Books Onlinehttp://www.bartleby.com
Project Gutenberghttp://www.gutenberg.com
Google Books (may not be whole book, but can look at many books inside)
http://books.google.com
World Digital Library Databases
Most online databases now provide access to primary sources. Passwords for these are listed in your passbooks on pages 38-39. Go to Library and select High School Databases.
Ones to try include:
- Social Studies
- Student Resources in Context
- Daily Life Online: Daily Life Through History
- World Book Online
- Britannica Online
- Gale Virtual Reference Library
Internet There are many places on the Web to find primary sources. Listed below are some of the best. Be patient with these sites and be willing to explore. You WILL be rewarded for your efforts!
You may also want to try searching for your topic, followed by the term
primary documents. Evaluate all sites for authority, accuracy, bias, and currency.
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)http://www.archives.gov
Library of Congress (Try the Digital Preservation, American Memory, and Prints & Photographs, and more)
High-quality archival photos from the Bettman Archives.
(May be blocked from school.)
Access images from museums, etc.
(may be blocked from school)
Bridgeman Art Culture History Site subcollection.
Internet Public Library – Historical Documents and Sources
Photos with commentary.
Creative Commons Users of this site have created licenses for their work, which means it is sometimes easier to cite.
