Examining Primary Sources
The following considerations may be useful when examining primary sources:
Origins
- Who created this material?
- When was it created?
- What was its purpose?
- Who was the intended audience?
Historical Context
- Which historical events were taking place during at the time this item was created?
- How did historical events influence the creation of this item?
Content
- What ideas are being conveyed?
- How are these ideas being conveyed?
- How reliable is the creator? Is there evidence of bias?
Finding Primary Sources
Artifacts and Print Materials
Historic items from the Rollins Archives are a rich source of primary documents, including correspondence, official publications, government documents, photos, maps, blueprints, and more.
Archival collections are searchable online in the Archival Collections Database. Not sure how to navigate this resource? Read the ARC User Guide for specific search strategies.
Digital Materials
Digitized Archival holdings, including maps and photographs, may be explored online in the Rollins Digital Collections.
Olin Library also provides access to databases containing primary source documents, such as the following:
