• Primary sources are the firsthand accounts by participants and observers in the events or time periods being investigated.

• They are the evidence used in historical writing.

• They are as close as the researcher can get to "being there."

• The same document may be a primary source in one situation and a secondary source in another. For example, Woodrow Wilson's John Wesley's Place in History is a primary source if you are studying Woodrow Wilson's thought, but a secondary source if you are researching John Wesley.

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• EUCLID, the library catalog, is a good place to begin your search for primary sources.

• Look for works by individuals, associations, or other groups directly involved with the topic you are researching by searching for their names as authors.

• Look for works about an event published at the time of the event by limiting a complex search to the pubyears surrounding the event.

• Complex searches may also be limited by format to manuscripts.

• The following subheadings, used with your subject, may identify useful source material:

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• Newspapers from the historical time being investigated can be important primary sources, reporting details about events that were known at the time of the events.

• Use the Woodruff Library's Newspaper List to identify newspapers available here. The list is arranged by place, and indexed by title and time period. There is also a list of African American Newspapers in the Woodruff Library.

• To find articles on a particular subject, the following sources may help:
  • 18th Century
    • Virginia Gazette Index, 1736-1780, Reference AI21 .V5
    • Pennsylvania Gazette, 1728-1800 (in Accessible Archives)
    • Times (Daily Universal Register) Index, 1785-1790, Reference AI21 .T4
    • Times Digital Archive, 1785-1985
  • 19th Century
    • African American Newspapers, the 19th Century (in Accessible Archives)
    • Civil War: a Newspaper Perspective (in Accessible Archives)
    • New York Times Historical (full text 1851-1999)
    • New York Times Index, 1851 to present, Reference AI21 .N44
    • Atlanta Constitution Card Index,1926-1954, Microfilm 1668
    • Atlanta Constitution: a Georgia Index, 1971-1979, Reference AI21 .A87 A85A
    • Atlanta Journal & Constitution Magazine card index, 1932-1980, Reference Office
    • Atlanta Journal, the Atlanta Constitution Index,1983 to present, Reference AI21 .A5
    • [Atlanta Constitution and Journal] Stacks indexes from 1986 to present; for free access to full text use Factiva or Lexis-Nexis Academic
    • Black Newspapers Index, 1977 to present, Reference AI3 .I443
    • DataTimes
    • Ethnic NewsWatch
    • Factiva (includes Atlanta Journal and Constitution beginning with 1986)
    • Lexis-Nexis Academic (includes Atlanta Journal and Constitution beginning with 1991)
    • New York Times Historical (full text 1851-1999)
    • New York Times Index, 1851 to present, Reference AI21 .N44
    • Newspaper Source
    • Official Index to the Times [London], 1909 to present, Reference AI21 .T54
    • Official Index to the Times [London], 1906-1946, Microfilm 3
    • Times Digital Archive
    • Wall Street Journal Historical (full text 1889-1995)

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• Periodical articles from the time may provide more analytical or in-depth articles about your topic.

• To find articles on a particular subject, the following sources may help:
  • 18th Century
    • American Periodicals Series Online (full text periodicals 1740-1900)
    • Early American Periodicals Index, 1728-1850 Microprint 7
  • 19th Century
    • American Periodicals Series Online (full text periodicals 1740-1900)
    • Early American Periodicals Index, 1728-1850 Microprint 7
    • Nineteenth Century Reader's Guide, 1890-1922 Reference AI3 .R47
    • Periodical Contents Index
    • Poole's Plus Index
  • 20th Century
    • International Index to Periodicals, 1906-1965 Reference AI3 .I51
    • Periodical Contents Index
    • Readers' Guide Abstracts (1983 to present)
    • Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature Reference AI3 .R48 (1900 to present)


• For histories of periodicals, and to identify particular types of magazines from the past, the guides below may help:
  • American Mass-Market Magazines. Reference PN4877 .A48 1990
  • Black Journals of the United States. Reference PN4882.5 .D36 1982
  • Children's Periodicals of the United States. Reference PN4878 .C48 1984
  • Conservative Press in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century America.
    Reference PN4888 .C598C66 1999
  • History of American Magazines. 5 vols. Reference PN4877 .M6
  • Magazines of the American South. Reference PN4893 .R54 1986
  • Women's Periodicals in the United States: Consumer Magazines.
    Reference PN4879 .W6 1995
  • Women's Periodicals in the United States: Social and Political Issues.
    Reference PN4879 .W614 1996

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• Use EUCLID to identify United States government publications published from 1976 to the present.

• A significant portion of the Government Documents paper collection was published prior to 1976 and cannot be identified using EUCLID. Fortunately, there are a number of tools to identify these earlier government publications. Be aware that some of the retrospective catalogs and indexes listed below are themselves the product of an earlier century.

  • The Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (1893 to date)
    Documents Reference GP3 .8/8
    Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (1994 to date)
    The basic list of government publications. Both printed and online versions are available. The print version of the Monthly Catalog covers from 1893 to the present and is primarily used for pre-1976 publications. Earlier versions of the Monthly Catalog exist in varied titles (House Documents and Document Catalogue). Periodicals and other series are listed annually in a periodicals supplement.
    

    Cumulative indexes exist for the following periods: 1941-1950, 1951-1960, 1961-1965, 1966-1970, and 1971-1976. A cumulative title index from 1789-1976 can be found under the call number Reference Desk KF40 .C62 1979. Subject indexes to the Monthly Catalog are also available for the years 1895-1899 [Reference Z1223 .A1847 Volumes 1 & 2], and 1900-1971 [Reference Z1223 .A185 Volumes 1-15].

    Until 1995, publications in paper received by the library through the depository program were checked off in the Monthly Catalog. A checkmark in indexes through 1995, then, indicates that the library has that checked item in paper. In addition, all depository titles (identified in the Catalog by a large black dot and an item number) from 1980 to date are available in the Documents microfiche collection on Level 1.

  • Guide to United States Government Publications
    Reference Desk Z1223 .Z7 A5459 [Date]
    Provides a comprehensive annotated guide to the important series, periodicals and reference tools published by U.S. government agencies (including Congress), as well as a historical record of agencies, their publications and the Superintendent of Documents call numbers assigned. Especially useful for tracking publications over time. Latest issue is at the Reference Desk, while back issues are in the Stacks.

  • Descriptive Catalogue of the Government Publications of the U.S., 1774-1881
    Poore, Benjamin P.
    Reference Desk Y 1.1/2:SERIAL 2268
    Provides a chronological list which gives the title, author and date of each document. The subject and name index at the end of the volume refers the user to the page on which the document is listed. The page must then be browsed to locate the entry or entries. NOTE: This index does not give the classification numbers necessary for finding the material in the Woodruff Library. To find publications listed in this index, you will need to consult either the Checklist of U.S. Government Publications, 1789-1909 (Reference Desk GP 3.2:C 41/2/953/V.1), OR with staff at the Reference Desk.

  • Comprehensive Index to the Publications of the U.S. Government, 1881-1893
    Ames, J.C.
    Reference Desk Y 1.1/2:SERIAL 4745
    Reference Desk Y 1.1/2:SERIAL 4746
    Ames's 2 volume collection is arranged alphabetically by subject. There is a personal author index as well. NOTE: This index does not give the classification numbers necessary for finding the material in the Woodruff Library. To find publications listed in this index, you will need to consult either the Checklist of U.S. Government Publications, 1789-1909 (Reference Desk GP 3.2:C 41/2/953/V.1), OR with staff at the Reference Desk.

  • Document Catalogue, 1893-1940
    Documents Reference GP3 .6: 1-25
    A dictionary catalog listing publications by agency, subject, title, and author. Provides the best subject approach to government publications from 1893-1940. Each of the 25 volumes of the Catalogue covers approximately two years of government publishing activity. NOTE: This index does not give the classification numbers necessary for finding the material in the Woodruff Library. To find publications listed in this index, you will need to consult either the Checklist of U.S. Government Publications, 1789-1909 (Reference Desk GP 3.2:C 41/2/953/V.1), OR with staff at the Reference Desk.

  • Cumulative Title Index to United States Public Documents, 1789-1976
    Reference Desk KF40 .C62
    This 16-volume set contains an alphabetical listing of titles of book and series publications contained in the Public Documents Library of the Government Printing Office. Unfortunately, the Cumulative Title Index includes only those titles which have been assigned a SuDoc number, thus excluding the numbered reports and documents of Congress from the Serial Set.

  • Checklist of U.S. Government Publications, 1789-1909
    Reference Desk GP 3.2:C 41/2/953/V.1
    Commonly known as the 1909 Checklist, this volume is the basic source for SuDoc numbers prior to the 20th century. Although there is no subject indexing to documents through the 1909 Checklist, the volume is useful for browsing the publishing output of government agencies and for identifying various editions of the same document. An agency index appears at the end of the volume. There are checkmarks next to items held in the Woodruff Library.

  • Early American Imprints, 1639-1800
    Microfiche 1367
    This collection contains U.S. documents and other materials published in the United States before 1800. A two-volume index to this collection is available in Microforms Reference (Microform Reference Z1215 .S495 V.1/V.2) on Level 1. This collection may be helpful in tracking down early documents not covered by the above indexes. It is based on Charles Evans' American Bibliography (Reference Z1215 .E92) and Roger Bristol's Supplement (Reference Z1215 .E92334) to Evans. The collection is indexed in the library catalog, EUCLID. Many of these publications are now available online in the Evans Digital Edition.

  • Early American Imprints, 1801-1819
    Microfiche 1376
    This collection is a continuation of the Early American Imprints listed above. This microfiche collection is based on Shaw and Shoemaker's American Bibliography (Reference Z1215 .S48).

  • CIS Index to U.S. Executive Branch Documents, 1789-1909: Guide to Documents Listed in Checklist of U.S. Public Documents, 1789-1909, Not Printed in the U.S. Serial Set
    Reference KF40 .C56 1990
    This index presents a complete annotated bibliography of all Executive Branch documents listed in the 1909 Checklist, including annual reports, general publications, bulletins, instructions, rules and decisions, circulars and catalogs. These documents are indexed by subjects, names, agency report numbers, and SuDoc numbers.

  • CIS index to U.S. executive branch documents, 1910-1932: guide to documents not printed in the U.S. serial set
    KF40 .C56 1996
    Covers the full spectrum of materials issued by the bureaus and offices of the Federal executive departments and independent agencies in existence during the period 1910-1932..
    

  • CIS/Index to Publications of the United States Congress (1970 to present)
    Reference KF49 .C62
    Also available through LexisNexis Congressional
    Abstracts and indexes congressional hearings, committee prints and public laws as well as the numbered House and Senate reports and documents contained in the Serial Set. Information is indexed by subject, author (personal or corporate), witness, title and bill number. The index volumes refer the user to the abstract section where documents are described and information necessary for locating the publication can be found. Most of the documents listed can be obtained in the Documents Collection on Level 1 either in paper or microfiche.

  • U.S. Serial Set Index, 1789-1969
    Reference KF40 .C59
    Also available through LexisNexis Congressional
    An index to the basic publications of Congress (i.e. reports of private and public bills) as well as a variety of documentation which Congress has decided to incorporate into the reports and documents of the House or Senate. The collection is particularly important for the 18th and 19th centuries when most government publications were either originally published as part of the Serial Set or were reprinted in it. Provides access primarily by subject to the over 14,000 volumes which appeared from 1789 to 1969. The 13th Part is a 4-volume index of legislative reports by reported bill and resolution numbers from 1817-1969 (15th - 91st Congresses).

  • CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Hearings Index, 1833-1969
    Reference KF40 .C53
    Also available through LexisNexis Congressional
    Provides access to hearings from 1833 through 1969. Indexes refer the user to the "Reference Bibliography" which provides detailed information about the hearing, including its SuDoc number when available. Woodruff Library holds almost all listed hearings in either paper or microfiche, including a microfiche collection covering listed hearings through the 75th Congress (Microfiche 272, 273, 274 and 698). Hearings issued after 1969 are indexed in the CIS Index.

  • CIS Index to Unpublished U.S. House of Representatives Committee Hearings, 1833-1968
    Reference KF40 .C54
    Also available through LexisNexis Congressional
    This index covers House Committee hearings transcripts dated 1833 through 1968 that were never printed and published. It provides index access to the subject matter and issues covered in these hearings, including bills and laws discussed, the Federal agencies concerned, the witnesses who testified and the organizations they represented. The reference bibliography accompanying the index volume includes full bibliographic data for each hearing. Microfiche 1165 on Level 1 contains a full-text copy of each hearing indexed.

  • CIS Index to Unpublished U.S. Senate Committee Hearings, 18th-88th Congress, 1823-1964
    Reference KF40 .C55
    Also available through LexisNexis Congressional
    Covers some Senate Committee hearings transcripts dated 1824 through 1964 (the 18th through the 88th Congresses) that were never printed and published. It provides index access to the subject matter and issues covered in these hearings, including bills and laws discussed, the Federal agencies concerned, the witnesses who testified and the organizations they represented. The reference bibliography accompanying the index volumes includes full bibliographic data for each hearing. There are also indexes for unpublished Senate Committee hearings for the years 1965-1968 (Reference KF40 .C55 1989 ), and 1969-1972 (Reference KF40 .C55 1995). Microfiche 1164 on Level 1 contains a full-text copy of each hearing indexed.

  • U.S. Congressional Committee Prints Index from the Earliest Publication through 1969
    Reference KF40 .C58
    Also available through LexisNexis Congressional
    Committee prints contain research sponsored by congressional committees. Prints may be detailed studies of individual bills, or wide-ranging background studies of important public issues. The U.S. Congressional Committee Prints Index covers these publications by subject, name, title, committee, bill number and SuDoc number. The reference bibliography accompanying the index volumes provides more information. Woodruff Library has all documents contained in the Prints Index in either paper or microfiche, and all of the prints are available on the companion microfiche collection, Microfiche 493 on Level 1. Committee prints published after 1969 are indexed in the CIS Index.

  • Declassified Documents Catalog (1975 to present)
    Reference Z1223 .Z9 D4
    Describes and indexes post-World War II government documents formerly classified as Top Secret, Secret or Confidential, that have since been declassified. Material located through this catalog is available through interlibrary loan.


• To locate United States government documents published before 1975, check with the staff at the Referenced Desk on level 2 of the Woodruff Library.

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• The Special Collections and Archives Division (SCA) of the Woodruff Library is open to all researchers who wish to use its collections. The Division encourages the broadest possible use of the materials it holds. SCA houses rare books, manuscript collections, and organizational archives, including the Emory University Archives. SCA has particularly strong collections in the areas of English language literature, African American history and culture, and Southern history. All of the rare books and most of the manuscript collections have been catalogued in EUCLID. Subject guides to the manuscript collections are available for selected broad subject areas. All SCA materials must be used in the Divisions' reading room. SCA is located on the 10th floor of the Woodruff Library. For more information about SCA and its holdings, please visit its website (http://web.library.emory.edu/libraries/speccolls/) or contact the SCA Research Services staff at 404-727-6887 or speccollref@emory.edu.
  
• The Special Collections of the Pitts Theology Library holds rare books, manuscripts, and archives documenting religious history. The collection's strengths are in Christian history and thought, but Special Collections also collects materials documenting other religious traditions. For more information about Pitts Special Collection's holdings and how to request materials, please see the Special Collections section of the Pitts Theology Library website (http://www.pitts.emory.edu/).

• The following databases will help to search for material in other special collections repositories:
  • RLIN Bibliographic File
    Search results in RLIN may be limited by "material type" of "archival and mixed collections." Many RLIN archival repositories are making their internal finding aids available in the Archival Resources database.
  • WorldCat
    Advanced searches in WorldCat may be limited to archival materials.

  • Archives USA
    Includes all the earlier entries fromthe printed volumes of the National Union Catalog of Manuscripts. Regularly updated.
  • National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections
    Online access to manuscript collectins throughout the country registered in the National Union Catalog of Manuscripts from the mid 1980's to the present.

• Links to other archival repositories in Georgia are available through the Society of Georgia Archivists website (http://www.soga.org/resources/gar.html). Nearby institutions with strong research collections include:
  • the Atlanta History Center
  • Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
  • the Georgia Department of Archives and History
  • the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the University of Georgia
  • the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies at the University of Georgia
  • the Special Collections and Archives of the Georgia State University Library
  • the William Bremen Jewish Heritage Museum

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• Because Web sites may not have had the same editorial scrutiny as published books and articles, they may need to be evaluated more carefully. In "Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation," you will find some handy guidelines for this.

• The library staff has cataloged some useful Web sites in EUCLID and you will identify these when you search under your subject in the library catalog. Many of these are digitized versions of primary source material. Some may be found by a keyword search for "history web resource" or "African American web resource."

• The library's U.S History Guide also links users to many Internet Sites, including many collections of primary source material.
  

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