HIS 200 - Applied History
Searching for Primary Sources
For your project, you need to research and identify primary sources. When you're looking for primary sources, look for sources that shed light on the topic you've chosen. If you're investigating the relationship between the Space Race and the Cold War, for example, you'll want to look for primary sources that touch on that topic or add some information to that conversation. You might seek out reports on the shuttle programs, letters from people who worked on shuttle or missile projects, or images of the same.
The best place to look for primary sources can vary widely depending on the topic you're interested in and the sources you would like to use. We've selected a few of the library's databases below that include primary sources. Want more? Check out the longer list of primary source collections in the History research guide.
- History Vault - ProQuest This link opens in a new windowHistory Vault consists of manuscripts and archival collections digitized in partnership with many archival institutions. This rich collection of federal records, letters, papers, photographs, scrapbooks, financial records, and diaries is organized into nine subject categories: 1) Civil Rights and the Black Freedom Struggle; 2) Southern Life, Slavery, and the Civil War; 3) Women's Studies; 4) Workers, Labor Unions, Progressives, and Radicals; 5) American Indians and the American West; 6) American Politics and Society; 7) International Relations and Military Conflicts; 8) Latinx History; 9) Revolutionary War and Early America.
- U.S. History In Context - Gale This link opens in a new windowIncludes more than 5,000 primary source documents, full-text articles drawn from top periodicals and newspapers, thousands of images, videos, and audio selections.
- Primary Source Collections by Adam MatthewAdam Matthew publishes unique primary source collections from archives around the world. SNHU Shapiro Library subscribes to the following collections: African American Communities, American History 1493-1945, the Confidential Print: North America collection in Archives Direct, Defining Gender, Empire Online, Everyday Life and Women in America 1800-1920, Race Relations in America, and Socialism On Film. For more information on how to use these database, please see these tutorial videos.