Primary sources are documents created during the time under study.  They offer a firsthand or "primary" view of the historical events, people or topics.  Examples include:

• Letters
• Diaries
• Sermons
• Financial records
• Newspaper articles published at the time
• Government and institutional documents

• Try using search terms couched in the language of the time.
• Avoid using redundant or overlapping search terms such as "nineteenth century" and "Victorian period."
• Adding geographical terms, time periods or significant figures associated with your topic may be helpful.