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Father Holland Learning Centre: Primary sources

General information about the Father Holland Learning Centre.

What are Primary Sources?

According to the American Library Association, "primary sources are original records created at the time historical events occurred or well after events in the form of memoirs and oral histories."  (Reference and User Services Association division of the ALA)

Primary sources allow you to get closer to the original ideas and thoughts of the time period you are studying.  Some examples of primary sources that you can use include:

  • Diaries
  • Speeches
  • Manuscripts
  • Letters
  • Interviews
  • News footage
  • Journals
  • Autobiographies
  • Official records
  • Government documents 
  • Novels
  • Poetry
  • Music
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Artifacts

What are primary and secondary sources?

by EasyBib.com

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Primary sources explained - why and how to use

Created by Weller University.

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Where to Find Primary Sources

To find primary sources with Britannica:

  • search for your topic
  • look for the Primary Sources link in the menu on the left

To Find Primary sources with Gale InContext databases:

  • search for your topic
  • look for the Primary Sources link in the menu on the right