DATABASES

PRIMARY SOURCES
Primary sources are original materials that provide first-hand information or data. They serve as the raw materials used as the building blocks of research by historians, scientists, and other scholars.
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They can include (but are not limited to): ​​
  • Census Data
  • Diaries & Journals
  • Government Documents
  • Interviews
  • Letters
  • Manuscripts​​​
  • Maps
  • ​Newspapers
  • Periodicals
  • Photographs
  • Scientific & Medical Study Results
  • Speeches
The databases and resources on this page offer excellent gateways to finding primary source materials.​​
tips for identifying and using primary sources
Types of Sources

All materials, data, and information used in research are known as sources. Information sources are classified into three categories: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources.
Primary Sources are original materials that provide first-hand information or data. They serve as the raw materials used as the building blocks of research by historians, scientists, and other scholars. Determining if a source is primary depends on context, which will be discussed further, but include examples listed here.
Examples:
  • ​Photographs
  • Music & video recordings
  • Interviews
  • Speeches​

  • Newspapers & periodicals
  • Census data & survey results
  • Letters, diaries, and journals
  • ​Scientific & medical study data
Secondary Sources describe, digest, interpret, evaluate, and analyze information, usually by using multiple primary sources. 
Examples:
  • ​Journal articles
  • Biographies
  • Nonfiction books​

  • Reviews & criticism
  • ​Documentary films
Tertiary Sources compile, list, index, and summarize information from secondary and primary sources. These sources are great for starting your research journey when getting background information, but are not sources you want to cite in your own research projects.
Examples: 
  • Encyclopedias
  • Reference books​ ​

  • ​Wikipedia
  • Textbooks​ ​
Identifying Primary Sources

Determining if something is a primary source is often dependent on the context in which the source was created and published, and how you are using and interpreting the source. Consider these factors when making a decision.
Timing

Was the source produced at the time of the event/period being studied? Shortly after? Or much later?

Sources created closer to the event are more likely to be primary.
Primary Source: A photograph of settlers preparing for their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1847
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Secondary Source: A 2018 documentary film about the Oregon Trail using photographs, diaries, and other source material 
Authorship

Was the source created by someone directly involved or witnessing the event?

First-hand accounts and records usually indicate a primary source.
Primary Source: A memoir written by a woman who grew up during the Great Depression

Secondary Source: A biography by a historian published in 2004 about Frances Perkins, the U.S. Secretary of Labor during the Great Depression 
Purpose

Is the source's original purpose to convey direct information, or to analyze or interpret the information?

Raw documentation and data tends to be primary sources
Primary Source: Statistical data on 1980s voter turnout collected by the U.S. Census Bureau
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Secondary Source: An article in an academic journal analyzing voter trends over time that uses census data
Context of Use

The context in which a researcher uses and analyzes a source can also determine if it is primary or secondary.

If the source directly provides the key information or evidence being examined, it is likely a primary source.
Source: Review of the movie Jurassic Park by movie critic Roger Ebert.

Primary Source: For a biography about Ebert, or a study of film criticism through history. 

Secondary Source: for research on the evolution of special effects in movies, or a biography of the director.
Finding Primary Sources

There are multiple ways to gather Primary Sources. Think about the type of primary source you are looking for to help you decide the best place to find it.
Databases & Websites
Several databases and websites are dedicated to providing original documents, raw research data, and other primary sources. You can find a large collection of them on our Primary Sources database page.
Archives
Archives are collections of historical artifacts like documents, records, manuscripts, or photographs surrounding a specific place, institution, individual, or group of people. They are usually hosted by museums, historical societies, libraries, businesses, universities, and other institutions. Many archives require appointments and other requirements to view their materials, but there are often partial or complete digital archives as well.
Oral Histories
Oral histories are collections of interviews - either audio recording or transcribed - with people who have first-hand experience with a historical event or topic. Oral histories are often collected in books or as digital archives. 
Create Them Yourself
Conduct interviews or surveys, collect your own raw data, or take your own photos! If they help to answer your research question, they are primary sources.

LIBRARY DATABASES

Library databases are available 24/7.
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Access resources off campus by logging in with your USERNAME (everything before @s207.org ) and PASSWORD.
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If you have questions, need help, or can't access a resource, please contact Ms. Cochran or Mr. Mather.
Log in to access off campus.
Delivers complete, fully-reproduced issues of The New York Times (1851-2019), Chicago Tribune (1849-1998), and Chicago Defender (1909-1980). Explore historical events, social and consumer history, economics, literature, technology, and more.
Current news, investigations, opinions, photos, and videos by the journalists of The New York Times from more than 150 countries around the world. Access the archive, including primary sources, via the TimesMachine. Sign up for a digital subscription using your school Google login. Watch this video tutorial to help you get started.

ONLINE RESOURCES

A curated selection of reputable, high-quality resources, with information and data created by universities, archives, government agencies, and other public service institutions. 
Collection of information on the U.S. Presidency, including documents, media, related historical artifacts, and statistics. A project of UC Santa Barbara.
Find thousands of primary source documents on the struggle for Black Freedom throughout different eras of U.S. History.
Archival collections and digital images from multiple historical and cultural institutions all over the Chicago area.
Explore millions of digitized resources from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. This one site gives access to images, documents, videos and more, including primary source sets with teaching guides for educators.
Explore the digitized collections of the largest library in the world, an invaluable resource for primary and secondary source research. Includes digitized maps, legal materials, audio interviews, music recordings, and much more.
This site, provided by the U.S. National Archives, highlights primary source documents from pivotal moments in the course of American history and government. Each document includes contextual background on its creation and impact, photos of the original document, and an easily read transcript of the text.
This resource is devoted to making the U.S. Supreme Court accessible to everyone. Find  searchable audio of court proceedings, easy to understand case summaries and decision information, and full-text Supreme Court opinions. Oyez also provides detailed information on every Justice throughout the Court’s history and offers a panoramic tour of the Supreme Court building.
The U.S. Census Bureau provides facts and figures about America’s population, places, and economy. Find detailed data on topics like education levels, income, technology access, religion, race and ethnicity, businesses, and more across the United States. You can find information for specific states, cities, zip codes, congressional districts, and other locations. The Census Bureau's data search tool enables you to enter your desired parameters and then create maps, charts and graphs.
Provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, natural hazards, natural resources, impacts of climate and land-use change, and core science systems. Excellent resource for maps, photos, video, and other data on environmental and geographic topics. Provided by the science unit of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Librarians
Colleen Cochran
[email protected]
​847-692-8443
Evan Mather
[email protected]
​847-692-4076
Library Hours
Monday - Friday
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