Librarian
Finding Primary Sources in Library Databases
Selected Search Terms for Primary Sources:
SOURCE*, CORRESPONDENCE, PERSONAL NARRATIVE*, DIAR*, SERMON*, SPEECH*, LAW AND LEGISLATION, DOCUMENT*, DESCRIPTION AND TRAVEL, CHRONICLE*, MEMOIR*
Search Tips
• Use the asterisk (wildcard) to search for variations in word endings, including plural forms
Examples: Zambia* AND source*
Africa* AND document*
• Use the question mark (wildcard) to search for variations within words
Example: wom?n AND “personal narrative*”
• Use quotation marks to search for a phrase rather than for individual words
Examples: “Northern Rhodesia*”AND source*
“West Africa*” AND “travel and description”
Primary Source Databases
The following databases contain primary sources and are available in Archives Unbound or as
individual titles in the Databases (A-Z list) on the library website.
African Studies
British and European History
Business and Economic History
Cultural Studies
Decolonization: The Politics and Independence in Former Colonial and Commonwealth
Territories
European Colonialism in the Early 20th Century: French Colonialism in Africa: From
Algeria to Madagascar, 1910-1930
European Colonialism in the Early 20th Century: German Colonies to League of Nations
Mandates in Africa 1910-1929
European Colonialism in the Early 20th Century: Italian Colonies in North Africa and
Aggression in East Africa, 1930-1939
European Colonialism in the Early 20th Century: Political and Economic Consolidation
of Portuguese Colonies in Africa, 1910-1929
Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
Health and Environmental Studies
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Primary Source Databases Other Than Those in Archives Unbound
Individual titles under Databases (A-Z list) on the library website.
Archives of Latin American and Caribbean History, 16th-20th Century
European Views of the Americas: 1493-1750
Times (London) Digital Archive, 1785—
Major British newspaper covering world news.
Databases with Secondary Sources and Selected Primary Sources
The following databases contain selected primary sources or cite primary sources. Use the suggested search terms for primary sources in combination with search terms for your topic.
Example: Zambia and copper and document*
Academic Search Complete Under Databases on the library website
Historical Abstracts Under Databases on the library website
JSTOR Under Databases on the library website
Includes secondary sources and collections of images and primary sources from libraries, museums, and archives around the world. Select Documents under Primary Sources to limit your results to primary sources.