Many students may find useful this definition of primary sources: "Primary sources are those with a direct link, in time and place, to the person, event, situation, or culture under study."
For example, a newspaper article on the outbreak of World War II in 1939 would be a primary source; a newspaper article reflecting on the outbreak of that war in 2014 would be considered a secondary source. A primary source, such Abraham Lincoln's "Emancipation Proclamation," issued January 1, 1863, is a primary source, but it is also a primary source when republished in 1963.
Primary sources are the foundation of historical research and history writing, as opposed to secondary sources, which are books on history researched from primary and secondary sources. Students who write capstone papers are expected to make use of primary documents and sources, as well as secondary sources.
Below are some examples of primary sources located in the Lewis University Library, either in the reference section or the general circulation collection.
The sites listed here provide Civil War letters and diaries from combatants and citizens from both the North and the South.. Some are difficult to use, so carefully read the guidance comments for the different sites.