Finding Primary Sources in Databases
Our databases are filled with primary sources.
Remember that original research is a primary source!
You can often find primary sources in most databases. For example, when searching for John F. Kennedy in Gale Biography in Context, one finds Images, Primary Sources (reports, articles, etc.), Videos, and Audio.
BC Library Databases
We have nearly a dozen databases that contain primary sources. Follow the link above to see all of the databases you can search for primary sources, or see our top picks below.
- 19th Century U.S. Newspapers This link opens in a new windowFacsimile-image database of American newspapers of the 1800s
- Slavery & Anti-Slavery This link opens in a new windowHistory of slavery from the original books, newspapers, pamphlets, manuscripts, etc
- AAS (American Antiquarian Society) Historical Periodicals This link opens in a new windowAmerican periodicals published between 1684 and 1912
- Civil War Primary Source Documents This link opens in a new windowAn archive of unique manuscripts chronicling the American Civil War as it was experienced.
- U.S. History In Context This link opens in a new windowUncover information on hundreds of the most significant people, events, and topics in U.S. history from a variety of sources.