Recommended Primary Sources on the web
Below is a list of reputable web sites that contain primary sources from Modern History (14th -18th century). These websites can be difficult to search, but with patience and the use of good keywords you may find something useful. If you need help, use our AskUs reference services, or contact the subject specialist.
- American Antiquarian Society (AAS) Historical Periodicals Collection: Series 1-5 This link opens in a new windowUse to find primary source articles from journals documenting the life of American people, presented through the eyes of those who experienced it. Contains full-text articles from historical journals and magazines published between 1684 and 1912.
- Avalon Project - Primary documents in law, history and diplomacyEnter keywords in the search box at the top right. Documents are arranged by time period.
- British EmpireCollection of primary sources included in an online exhibit on British Empire from the UK National Archives
- Digital Public Library of America- Primary Source SetsDrawing online materials from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States, the Digital Public Library of America's Primary Source Sets use letters, photographs, posters, oral histories, video clips, sheet music, and more. Each set includes a topic overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, and links to related resources. Select a subject and then time period to browse what sets are available.
- Euro Docs - History of Prehistoric and Ancient EuropeA search in the box on the left for your keywords will give a list of pages where that term appears. Click on one of the links, and then do a ctrl-F and enter your keyword again to get to the right entry on the page.
- European History Primary SourcesIndex of scholarly websites that offer online access to digitized primary sources on the history of Europe. Read the brief guide to searching the portal first.
- EyeWitness To The 17th CenturyThis website has primary sources along with some explanatory notes. Primary sources appear in RED. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to look at the citation for the primary source. There is a search box at the top right where you can search keywords for your topic.
- Founders Online: HomeGeorge Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams (and family), Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. Over 119,000 searchable documents, fully annotated, from the authoritative, federally funded Founding Fathers Papers projects
- Internet Modern History SourceBookSources are arranged according to region or theme, eg. France or Ind. Revolution. Scroll down the column on the left to see if your topic is covered. Try a Ctrl-F and enter a key term to see if it is mentioned on the site.
- Perseus Digital LibraryThis site contains primary and secondary sources organized by theme/time period). Search at the top right by keywords. When you see a blue triangle, click on it to open list of sources.
- Sources > Primary sources | British History OnlineBritish History Online is the digital library containing some of the core printed primary and secondary sources for the medieval and modern history of the British Isles. Try searching in the top right search box.