Library Resources for European History

Finding Primary Sources

Tips for finding Primary Sources using the Online Catalog:
  • The Library's catalog (or OPAC) is available at home or at school; go to Current Students web page, click on Library | Online Catalog
  • Use keywords or combinations of keywords -- not phrases -- to search the Online Catalog. Try synonyms or more general subject terms if the first keywords don't yield results. Always include "sources" as a keyword.
  • Two keywords that indicate primary source material: --Sources, —Personal narratives.  Ex. France--History--Revolution, 1789-1799--Personal narratives; Women--Social conditions--Sources.
  • General collections of documents on European history are listed under the subject term, Europe--History--Sources.
  • Title words that often indicate a collection of primary sources: "documentary history"; "documents"; "reader"; "writings"
  • Search under the series title, "Documentary history of Western civilization" for several primary source collections.
  • For collections of images (such as paintings, photographs, or prints), try the keyword "art" or "pictorial" with a country name or a subject term.
Chapin Databases
  • History Resource Center -- World section includes primary source documents for some topics. Search your topic and then click on "Primary Sources" tab on Results page.
Web Sites
 Bibliography Help:
  • The bibliography format for primary sources is the same as secondary sources, i.e. use the anthology/collection format for a collection of primary source documents, or the web page format for a primary source document found online.
  • For models and examples of MLA bibliography format for print and online sources, see Library Links > US Library > MLA Style for Bibliographies.
  • Or, use NoodleBib to help format your bibliography and store bibliography info in your own folder on the Web. NoodleBib can also be used to organize and save notecards online. See the US Library web page, Introduction to NoodleTools, for details.

Compiled by Ms. Lutz, last updated 10 January 2008