LibGuides: Find Primary Sources: Where to Search for Primary Sources

Primary Sources in the Library Catalog

Many primary source materials can be found in the library catalog, including newspapers, government documents, personal materials, and images. You can limit your search to specific types of primary source material by doing an advanced search in the catalog.

Example: If you are looking for interviews about Watergate, search watergate in "any field" and interview in "subject"

Find Primary Sources by Type

Google News
Good for current news especially

America's Historical Newspapers
Newspapers from 1690-1998 from all 50 states
Nexis Uni
Find American and International news, both broadcast and print
PressReader
Full scanned version of current newspapers from around the world.

More Newspaper Databases
See every newspaper database the UT Libraries subscribe to (includes historical)

Guide to Finding Speeches
Guide to finding speeches, created by the Communications Librarian.

Avalon Project
A project out of Yale Law School, "digital documents relevant to the fields of Law, History, Economics, Politics, Diplomacy and Government," with supporting documentation.
FindLaw
Legal news and cases, including from the Supreme Court
National Archive
Legal and historical documents and materials from the National Archives and Records Administration

ProQuest Congressional
Congressional publications from 1789-present, including hearings, committee prints, reports, documents, and congressional research service reports

USA.gov
Official guide to government information and services

Avalon Project
A project out of Yale Law School, "digital documents relevant to the fields of Law, History, Economics, Politics, Diplomacy and Government," with supporting documentation.
FindLaw
Legal news and cases, including from the Supreme Court

American National Elections Study Guide
The Guide provides immediate access to tables and graphs that display the ebb and flow of public opinion, electoral behavior, and choice in American politics over time. It serves as a resource for political observers, policy makers, and journalists, teachers, students, and social scientists. It currently contains data from 1948 through 2012.
Pew Research Center
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world.
Public Agenda Online
Public Agenda is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that helps diverse leaders and citizens navigate divisive, complex issues and work together to find solutions.

Polling the Nations
1986 - present. 4 users

PollingReport.com
An independent, nonpartisan resource on trends in American public opinion.

American Memory
"A digital record of American history and creativity" from the Library of Congress.
National Archive
Legal and historical documents and materials from the National Archives and Records Administration.
Teaching American History
Historical documents and materials.

American Memory
"A digital record of American history and creativity" from the Library of Congress.
National Archive
Legal and historical documents and materials from the National Archives and Records Administration
New York Public Library Digital Gallery
Search in the advertisement and advertising collection genres.

Ask a Librarian

Chat With Us

EID login required