What are Primary Sources?
Every human being creates primary sources throughout their lifetime. Primary sources are records of existence. We communicate and write documents, such as letters, journals, reports, signatures on forms, birth announcements, certificates, marriage licenses, photographs in a family album, records of vacations, art work that children have created, and items purchased for our homes.
Primary source artifacts are original records of people, places, events, and objects. Some primary sources have specific dates labeling them as to their origination and others can be connected to a general timeline.
Primary sources come in a variety of formats and media types. Sources may be in paper form, such as diaries, journals, posters, sheet music, books, and official documents. Movies or motion pictures, audio recordings including interviews, news, music, maps, objects, and photographs are all primary source artifacts that have been created throughout history.
About This Website:
Explore this website for lesson plans and WebQuests that utilize the primary sources found on the Library of Congress website. These materials have been developed by Bradley University pre-service teachers with guidance from area in-service teachers. This website is part of the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources at the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities project and was designed by Dr. David W. McMullen, Dr. Sherrie C. Pardieck, and Dr. Dean A. Cantu.