30 minutes on... Using Primary Sources

Celia Caust-Ellenbogen

Liaison for teaching with Special Collections

(with a focus on TriCo special collections)

Intro to primary sources & archives

Using the Archives & Manuscripts catalog to find sources at Swarthmore

Archival research tips

Resources for more information

Researchers use primary sources because they provide a firsthand account of events or conditions during a particular period in time.

Many documents used as primary sources were recorded contemporaneously by participants or observers.

What is a primary source? (a definition)

Reflect thinking and understanding at a moment in time

What is a primary source?
(an example)

From individual people and families:
- letters, diaries, scrapbooks / photo albums

- collections of "personal papers"

Organizations create records through the course of doing their work:

   • Notes/minutes taken during meetings

   • Newsletters, annual reports, other publications

   • Photographs taken of speeches or protest marches

You'll hear these records referred to as the archives of the organization.

Venn diagram highlighting topics represented in Friends Historical Library (FHL), College Archives (SCA), and Peace Collection (SCPC). FHL: Quaker history & spirituality; Native American History. SCPC: Internationalism. SCA & Rare Book Room: Artists' books, Swarthmore Borough history. FHL & SCPC: Peace, nonviolence, pacifism, and conscientious objection. FHL & SCA: Swarthmore College History. All: African-American history; Women's History.

This information is about the collection overall

This is the contents of the collection. Click on any item to learn more.

Click this button to get all the info you need to request materials

Your turn!

Navigate to the Archives & Manuscripts catalog

Try a keyword and find a collection of interest

Notice what college/library you would visit to see the collection

Prepare for your visit

Do:

  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request materials in advance
  • Talk to the archivist(s)

Don't:

  • Bring food or drink
  • Bring pens
  • Forget to record/photograph citation info!
  • Handle materials carefully
  • Place folders/materials flat on the table
  • Keep folders and pages in order

Swarthmore College Special Collections website

https://www.swarthmore.edu/libraries/special-collections 

  • Learn more about each of our four Special Collections
  • Link to our catalogs (yes, plural!)
  • Book an appointment

Using Archives and Special Collections (Tri-Co) Research Guide

https://guides.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/using-special-collections​

  • Link to our catalogs and appointment booker
  • Get tips on navigating our catalogs
  • Learn archival research skills: how to cite archival materials, read handwriting, evaluate primary sources

*History*​ Research Guide > Primary Sources

https://guides.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/history​

  • Find online primary sources
  • Find other archives in Philadelphia
  • Find other archives in the world

Recap: Archives & Primary Sources
 

• Primary source documents offer you a unique perspective on the past.

• TriCo Archives & Manuscripts lets you explore what's available at Swarthmore.

• Because you'll be working with rare or one-of-a-kind materials, you'll be asked to handle these sources carefully.

• Archivists and library staff can help you succeed: reach out, talk with us about your project, and ask questions.