AMS : American Studies

Get help with primary sources

What is a Primary Source?

A primary source is a record of an event, an occurrence, or a time period produced by a participant or observer at the time. Typically, primary sources include:

  • unique documents or manuscripts (letters, diaries, journals, writings, speeches, photographs, scrapbooks, etc.)
  • historic records of an organization (correspondence, memoranda, minutes, annual reports, etc.).
  • government documents & maps
  • artwork & artifacts
  • music & audiovisual materials (film, audio and video tape)
  • electronic computer files

Core Primary Sources

These resources have been deemed as best bets for starting off any research with primary sources. 

Primary Sources for American Studies

These are additional sources that may useful in locating primary sources, particularly for the research of American Studies.