Primary sources

What are primary sources?

Primary sources are original sources of information that were produced during the time period being studied or researched. This may include direct, first hand accounts by people who were connected to the events, or manuscripts and other works that were a direct product of the time and reflect or report contemporaneous events.

Primary sources include:

• Books
• Journal articles
• Law reports and legislation
• Letters and diaries
• Newspapers
• Images
• Films
• Maps
• Music
• Classical sources
• Archival material

Primary source material may be found within secondary sources (usually a book).