Primary And Secondary Sources

What is a Primary Source?
A Primary Source is an original record. Primary sources can be letters, journals, diaries, files, reports, maps, plans and drawings, photographs, films, videos, slides or sound recordings. They are called primary sources because the information they contain is original or first-hand. Primary Sources are, in effect, eyewitness accounts of past events.

A Primary Source is a very useful way of reaching into the past and getting to know the people and events of the past. It could be said that primary sources allow people from the past to speak for themselves. They allow a better understanding of the thoughts and reactions of people to life and events in the past. Sometimes, these views or indeed the language used to express these views may seem strange and unfamiliar. However, when looking at primary sources in an Archive the staff will be available to help if you have any difficulties.

When you use primary sources, it is you that interprets the source. You are the one who decides what it means. Archives as primary sources provide a great opportunity for people to analyse information and reach their own conclusions about events and people of the past.

Newspapers published at the time of the event are a useful starting point for a historical study. But they are not 'primary sources', because the articles are the journalists' interpretation of the events.

What is a Secondary Source?
A Secondary Source is not an original record. Some of the most familiar examples of secondary sources are books, newspapers and magazines. They are known as 'secondary sources' because the information they contain is someone else's interpretation of events. Most information on the Internet is secondary. You need to think about who wrote the information and examine the source to see if there are any clues as to why the author may have interpreted the source in the way they have.

In using primary sources it is important to be aware of the wider context into which these primary sources fit. This is where Secondary Sources are invaluable. Secondary Sources provide a background of information on a period or an event that can help explain the context of primary sources. For example, in reading a letter from a tenant to the agent of an estate in Ireland in 1847 detailing the difficulties as a result of the death of a cow it is helpful to be aware that 1847 was considered the worse year of the Irish Famine. In addition, a Secondary Source can provide valuable information in relation to the relations between tenant, agent and landlord that would help a researcher understand some of the nuances in such a letter.

However, just as primary sources are a product of their time, so too are secondary sources. Remember, Secondary Sources are interpretations by someone, such as a historian or a journalist, of events. This person carries with them their own "baggage" which can reflect in their interpretation of the past. Perspective is an important feature to note in any source we use to come to conclusions. For example, many new interpretations of the past have been occurring in relation to our current views of the position of women in society or the ideals of equality in place of hierarchy. Our interpretation of history is always changing and we can all play a role in interpreting sources in new and interesting ways.