TCORE 114a – Introduction to Humanities
Paper TWO: Paper on Constitutional topicWhat are Primary Sources?
Primary sources include documents or artifacts created by a witness to or participant in an event. They can be firsthand testimony or evidence created during the time period that you are studying. Primary Sources may include diaries, letters, photographs, newspaper articles, government documents, poems, novels, plays, and music. The collection and analysis of primary sources is central to historical research.
Many U.S. history primary resources are available at the UW Tacoma Library or through databases which can be accessed through the library home page. Additional information is also available through the UW Libraries Resources by Subject on the library home page, for example Government Publications and History.
Finding Primary Sources
To locate books written during a specific time period, published collections of correspondence, memoirs, etc, start with the UW Libraries Catalog. Below are a few examples (all available for checkout from the Tacoma Stacks):
- The Federalist Papers, KF4515. F4 1981
- Selected Writings and Speeches of Alexander Hamilton, E302 .H22 1985
- Documents of American Constitutional and Legal History, KF 4502 .D635 1989b, v. 1-2
- The Papers of George Washington Presidential Series, E312.72 1987, v. 1-3
- Political Writings, by John Locke, JC153 .L79 2003
- Two treatises of government, by John Locke, JC153 .L8 1988
- Sources and documents illustrating the American Revolution, 1764-1788, E203 .M86 1965
For more information on searching the catalog, see Using the UW Libraries Catalog to Find Primary Sources in US History
Below is a sampling of the databases which either contain primary sources or citations to resources that may be used as primary sources.
Go to the History Subject Page and scroll down to the sections on Finding Primary Sources.
- American Periodicals Series Online (1740-1900)
Includes full-page images of 18th and 19th Century American magazines. - Early American Imprints (1639-1800)
Database of full-page images of more than 30,000 works published in America between 1639 and 1800; documents a broad spectrum of life in 17th and 18th century America, including literature, music, religion, foreign affairs, diplomacy, and much more.
Historic Newspapers Online
- The New York Times (1851-2003)
To access this resource search the library catalog using a journal search. Choose the first New York Times entry. Next, choose The New York Times electronic resource. - Times (London, England : 1788)
To access this resource search the library catalog using a journal search. Choose the first Times London England 1788 entry. Next, choose Times (London, England : 1788).
Limit Publication Type to Primary Source Document
Sample Searches (copy and paste into search box):
- COLONIAL period, ca. 1600-1775
- UNITED States -- Politics & government -- To 1775
Online Primary Sources
- American History to 1865
Includes links to reliable web sites, many containing primary sources including papers, diaries, and important documents. - Avalon Project: Colonial Charters, Grants and Related Documents
- Journals of the Continental Congress
Finding Secondary Sources in Subject Databases
History Databases- America History & Life — American & Canadian history
- JSTOR — Back issues of major history journals
- HEIN Online
- LexisNexis Academic
Additional Research Assistance
-
You can ask questions of or set up individual appointments with the librarian for CORE, Erica Lynn Coe.
Phone: 253-692-4651 Email: elcoe@u.washington.edu
You can also contact the UWT Library Reference Desk for assistance.
Phone: 253-692-4442 Email: tacref@u.washington.edu
