A primary source is created at the time of an event. The source is created in conjunction with the event or very soon after the event occurs. They provide an inside view of the event.
Examples: Diaries, Newspapers, Letters, Photographs
Google is a wonderful tool for finding Primary sources just be careful how you use it. Try using Google Scholar an academic alternative to Google that returns materials such as journal articles and books. Google Books, as the name suggests will return book results, some of which provide excerpts to books or entire books online. Also used the advanced search in Google, it allows you to limit your results by domain such as .edu or .gov resources.
Finally other libraries create guides such as this one they can provide excellent resources for gathering primary and secondary sources. Some are already listed on this page but others exist as well.
Happy and smart Googling!
Newspapers are excellent primary resources. Here are a few Newspaper Databases to try.
Cover-to-cover full text for more than 40 U.S. and international newspapers, including USA Today, The Washington Post, The Washington Times and The Times (London) - and selective full text for more than 330 regional (U.S.) newspapers. Also includes full-text television & radio news transcripts from CBS News, CNN, CNN International, FOX News, NPR, etc.
Full-text newspapers chronicling American culture and daily life from all 50 U.S. States from 1690 to the recent past. Search by era (historical, Presidential, or a date range), article type, place of publication and/or keyword. Cross-search this & other Readex historical collections with Readex AllSearch.
Full-text and full-image articles for newspapers dating back to the 19th century, including the New York Times (1851-2000), Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-2001), Philadelphia Tribune (1912-2001), Pittzburgh Gazette (1786-2003), and Wall Street Journal (1889-2012).
Take a look at the other primary source databases available at WCU.