Research Guides: CI 3110, CI 3060, &amp; CI 3554 Researching Social Studies Topics: Primary Resources

What are Primary Sources?

A primary source is a record of events that is described or recorded by someone who either participated in or witnessed the events firsthand.

Examples include newspaper accounts, letters, diaries, notebooks, photographs, and interviews.

Watch this video (1 min. 44 sec.) to learn the difference between primary and secondary sources.

Primary Resources on the Internet

Historical Newspapers

America's Historical Newspapers This link opens in a new window
Includes more than 1,000 U.S. historical newspapers published between 1690 and 1922, including titles from all 50 states.
Includes more than 1,000 U.S. historical newspapers published between 1690 and 1922, including titles from all 50 states.
ProQuest Historical Newspapers This link opens in a new window
Offers full text and full image articles for 13 large American daily newspapers and two daily British newspapers (1764-2005).
Offers full text and full image articles for 13 large American daily newspapers and two daily British newspapers.
Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers This link opens in a new window
Digital facsimile images for hundreds of 19th century U.S. newspapers.
Digital facsimile images for hundreds of 19th century U.S. newspapers.
African American Newspapers This link opens in a new window
Provides primary sources for such diverse disciplines as cultural, literary, and social history, ethnic studies, and more (1827-1998).
Provides primary sources for such diverse disciplines as cultural, literary, and social history, ethnic studies, and more.
New York Times Historical (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
Contains the complete paper cover-to-cover of every issue prior to 2016, with full-page and article images in PDF format.
Contains the complete paper cover-to-cover of every issue prior to 2016, with full-page and article images in PDF format.
Washington Post Historical This link opens in a new window
Newspaper known for its national political coverage, international reporting, and investigative reporting (1877-1995).
Newspaper known for its national political coverage, international reporting, and investigative reporting (1877-1995).

Special Collections at App State

The Special Collections Research Center contains a wealth of published and unpublished primary sources on the Appalachian Region and its people, University history, stock car racing history, and more!

Published Primary Sources

Search the Catalog. Choose ASU SPEC APP COLL or other ASU SPEC... "Locations" on Advanced Keyword Search page.

Unpublished Primary Sources

Search Manuscripts & Archives Finding Aids

Digitized Primary Sources

Browse or Search Collections. To search, click on "Appalachian State University Libraries Digital Collections."

Need Help? Email spcoll@appstate.edu, call 828.262.4041, or visit us (4th Floor of Belk Library & Information Commons)

CI 3110, CI 3060, & CI 3554 Researching Social Studies Topics: Primary Resources

IMC Librarian

What are Primary Sources?

Primary Resources on the Internet

Historical Newspapers

Special Collections at App State

IMC Librarian