Primary Sources
(a 1856 Braintree map downloaded from the Library of Congress)
Embedded Files
A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.
Some types of primary sources include:
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
diaries speeches manuscripts
letters film footage official records autobiographies
CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art
RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings
A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.
Some types of secondary sources include:
textbooks histories criticisms
commentaries encyclopedias biographies
art reviews books on the topic
magazine and scholarly articles
(The above information was modified from the Princeton library's website.)
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, films and video, audio recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections.
Valuable federal government records are preserved and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family’s history, need to prove a veteran’s military service, or are researching a historical topic that interests you.
This site provides access to photographs, manuscripts, books, audio recordings, and other materials of historical interest that have been digitized and made available by a statewide consortium of libraries, museums, archives, and historical societies from across Massachusetts.
The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is a free, open access platform that provides access to millions of items from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States.
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