Primary Sources

What is a Primary Source?• Primary sources are original records created

at the time historical events occurred. Sources serve as the raw material to interpret the past, and when they are used along with previous interpretations by historians, they provide the resources necessary for historical research.

Examples of Primary Sources

• Letters, diaries, newspapers, documents written by Government officials, film, video, images, artifacts, audio recordings, research data, speeches.

Is this a primary source?

Painting titled Rejection letter by Trinh Do.

Trinh Do was a dissident artist and was imprisoned in Vietnam. After he escaped and was waiting in a Hong Kong detention center for the status of his family he painted this picture.

What about this?

Edwin Bryant was a journalist who arrived at Sutter’s Fort on Sept 1, 1847. His journals were one of the first sources of authority on California during the discovery period.

Is This?

Autobiography. It is important that it captures the life of the author.

How about this?

Flyer about Romney Wheeler who was going to speak at a large gathering

• Jan 1st, 1917 •     I was not born to live in these times of turmoil. At least not in

this place, Russia, the country I love. I am torn apart daily as I go through life as a supporter of the Bolsheviks, while in reality being a lover of the Tsar. Let me give a bit of background about myself. My name is Vladmir Visiliovich but people usually call me Vlad. I was born on February 17th, 1882 in Siberia (yes, people actually do live in that god-forsaken place). I've come a long way since then though. Now I am "happily" living in Petrograd or the former Saint Petersburg. If it were 20 years ago, those quotations would not be necessary, but they certainly are now.

•     My wife is the lovely Svetlana... she is all that brings me through these troublesome times. I am one of the many factory workers in Petrograd. I, like the rest of us am a member of the soviet; in fact I am the head of the soviet for my factory, the Petrograd Shoe Factory. I wonder how many others are pretending to support the Bolsheviks, like myself, compared to the deluded masses that truly believe in their cause. I have started writing these journals to commemorate the New Year. I hope these records can be of some use to someone someday....

• Jan 13th, 1917     Today I reflect. My mind wanders back to the year of 1905, to a Sunday that was exactly 12 years ago. First a bit of background... A man, a priest rather, Father Gapon came to us from the Tsar. He did not come to preach to us though... oh, no - he came to collect our grievances. Finally a chance to let the Tsar know of the troubles of daily life and to let him help us out of our situations.

Evaluate Primary Sources• Look at the web site. EvaluateDiary web site to evaluate

So where can you get “RELIABE”Primary Sources?

Cold War Link

Fairfield’s Library Home Page

How to evaluate a Primary Source

Understand the purpose of the website before using the Primary document. A cite may not use a primary document appropriately. Check to make sure it has not been altered orManipulated to alter its meaning.

Look at the website, who published the information. Look at Domain .edu and .gov are usually most reliable but be carefulSometimes government sites may have their own agenda ( a.k.a purpose, propaganda)

Domains and what they meanDomain Sample Address.edu = educational institutionhttp://docsouth.unc.edu. gov = US government sitehttp://memory.loc.gov.org = organization or associationhttp://www.theaha.org.com = commercial sitehttp://www.historychannel.com.museum = museumhttp://nc.history.museum.net = personal or other site

And Remember• Check the author• Check the domain• Check links it will tell more about

purpose and document.See if site has been reviewed.

• Determine if it is a transcription or if it is scanned. If copy then you need to cite original source.

Now Browse• Browse these cites only• The following reputable sites link to thousands of primary

sources. American Memory: Historical Collections for the National Digital Library

Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy

WWW-VL HISTORY: THE COLD WAR HISTORY

• Primary sources can also be found in SIRS and ABC-Clio subscription Databases

Assignment1. Browse through the different cold war cites for the rest of

this class period. Browse only the recommended primary webcites on the library page, Sirs, ABC Clio.2. Second time to the Library browse and find one primary source that you will use for information for your paper.• Once you have found your Primary source that you want to

use for the paper answer these questions.• Who is the author of the source?• Who published the source?• What is the purpose of the cite?• What is the domain?• Summarize the article in 5-7 sentences• How will you use this source in your paper?• Email me your primary source or email me the

link.