Finding Primary Sources
Remember: Primary sources are documents, artwork, letters, etc. created during the time period that you are studying.
Use the links below to find primary sources. If you can't find what you're looking for at the first link, move on to the next one.
Try all the links! You never know what you'll find!
Use the links below to find primary sources. If you can't find what you're looking for at the first link, move on to the next one.
Try all the links! You never know what you'll find!
Digital Public Library of America
This resource searches through many different libraries and archives to find records that can be viewed online:
This resource searches through many different libraries and archives to find records that can be viewed online:
- Use the search bar to find information on a person or subject.
- Scroll down to find the "Type" section on the left-hand side of the screen. Narrow down by "text" if you only want documents to read.
- Click on a record. Then click on the red text on the left-hand side that says "Get ____ from [the name of the library]."
- TO CITE: Because these items are coming from different locations, there is not one way to cite. Look around the record. Some may provide the citation for you. You might have to create it yourself using the information on the record page. Make sure to include the link to the item.
Utah's Online Library
- Click on Gale Reference Collection 9-12.
- Click on Biography in Context or Student Resources in Context.
- Search for a person or subject in the search bar.
- Look to the right-hand navigation to see if there are any primary sources.
- TO CITE: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and copy the citation.
DocsTeach
Part of the National Archives, this resource organizes documents by time period:
Part of the National Archives, this resource organizes documents by time period:
- Click on the time period and then search within that collection for a specific person or subject.
- TO CITE: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and copy the Full Citation.
National Archives Catalog
Use the search bar to look up a specific person or subject.
Use the search bar to look up a specific person or subject.
- Not all results are available to view online.
- Some results are "File Units" or "Collections." Click on the record and then click on the button that says "Search within this file unit" to view.
- Click on "Available Online" to find records that you can view.
- TO CITE: Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the "Details" section and use information to create the citation. Make sure to include the link to the item.
Library of Congress Primary Source Sets
Organizes primary sources by time period or event. When looking for primary sources on a specific person, you'll need to know when the person lived and what events they may have participated in.
Library of Congress Collection Connections
Organized by person or subject.
Organizes primary sources by time period or event. When looking for primary sources on a specific person, you'll need to know when the person lived and what events they may have participated in.
- TO CITE: These items come from different locations. So use the information available to create the citation. Make sure to include the link to the item.
Library of Congress Collection Connections
Organized by person or subject.
- Find the collection that interests you.
- Click on the link in "Collection Overview."
- Click on the content
- TO CITE: Scroll down toward the bottom of the page and click on "Cite This Item."
Wikisource
Collection of original texts, some of which are primary sources. If you search for a person, make sure the results show Author:[Person's Name].
Collection of original texts, some of which are primary sources. If you search for a person, make sure the results show Author:[Person's Name].
- TO CITE: Use the information available to create the citation. Make sure to include the link to the item.
Teaching American History
Includes transcripts of primary source documents. You won't be able to see the original copies but you can read the text.
Includes transcripts of primary source documents. You won't be able to see the original copies but you can read the text.
- Use the search bar at the top-right and click "Documents only."
- Or click on "Documents" in the navigation and narrow down by time period.
- Pay attention to the Author of the document.
- TO CITE: Use the information available to create the citation. Make sure to include the link to the item.