How to find a primary source collection that works for YOUR research
1. Search in Catalyst (see list of subjects below). Note the location (Special Collections or a database) & go directly there and search more!
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Catalyst Advanced SearchAdvanced search for Catalyst.
2. Browse the "Historical Documents" list of databases. Not just for "old stuff", but also includes databases with declassified government documents, newspapers, videos, etc.
3. Visit an Archival collection: at Carleton, the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Historical Society...or many others!
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Carleton College Archives Database(Searches through citations and subject indexing)
Search all known records of archival photographs, documents, and artifacts at Carleton College, many of which are available in digitized form.
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Archive GridLike Worldcat, but for the contents of archives! It doesn't work perfectly, but is a great starting place to figure out where to do your research.
4. Browse ALL databases! Never hurts to look here!
Primary Sources in Catalyst
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SOURCES (try this first!)Any field (contains) slave*
subject (contains) sources
HINT: Also try the keyword "Documents": Any field (contains) slave* AND documents -
BIOGRAPHIESSample advanced search: Any field (contains) lesbian* + subject (contains) biography
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PERSONAL NARRATIVESSample advanced search: Any field (contains) lesbian* + subject (contains) personal narratives
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DIARIESSample advanced search: Any field (contains) lesbian* + subject (contains) diaries
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NEWSPAPERSSamples advanced search: Any field (contains) lesbian* + subject (contains) newspapers
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CONTROVERSIAL LITERATURESample advanced search: Any field (contains) wom*n + subject (contains) controversial literature
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CORRESPONDENCE (i.e. letters)Sample advanced search: Any field (contains) slave* + subject (contains) correspondence
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TEXTSSample advanced search: Any field (contains) slave* + subject (contains) texts
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PICTORIAL WORKSSample advanced search: Any field (contains) slave* + subject (contains) pictorial works
Search CRL
The Center for Research Libraries has a number of microfilmed collections, international newspapers, and official documents from countries outside the U.S.
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CRL: Center For Research Libraries(Searches through citations and subject indexing)
This collection includes microfilm for foreign newspapers and foreign dissertations. You may borrow microfilm reels and other materials through Interlibrary Loan.
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CRL Topic GuidesEach guide includes a short writeup on the landscape of the field of study, links to relevant primary source collections at CRL, and links out to related sources.
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FOCUS on Global Resources (CRL Newsletter)CRL's quarterly newsletter with themed issues.
Large Primary Source Collections
Most -- but not all! -- content in these databases is primary sources.
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DPLA: Digital Public Library of America(Searches through citations, subject indexing, and transcripts)
Aggregates millions of digital items from major libraries and collections across the country, including Carleton College. -
HathiTrust Digital Library(Searches through citations and the full text)
HathiTrust is a partnership of major research institutions and libraries working to ensure that the cultural record is preserved and digitally accessible. A major source of digitized books and other documents. Some of the collection if available for free to all, and additional content is available to Carleton faculty, staff, and students.
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Internet archiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library. Its purposes include offering permanent access to current and historical web content.
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Europeana(Searches through citations and subject indexing)
A large collections with artworks, artifacts, books, videos and sounds from across Europe. -
Library of Congress Digital Collections(Searches through citations and subject indexing)
Contains texts, sound recordings, still and moving images, maps, and sheet music from the Library of Congress that document American History.
NOTE: The Library of Congress has migrated all collections from the American Memory Project into this new platform. -
Carleton College Archives Database(Searches through citations and subject indexing)
Search all known records of archival photographs, documents, and artifacts at Carleton College, many of which are available in digitized form. -
Carleton College Oral Histories(Searches through citations and subject indexing)
Includes recorded interviews with Carleton faculty, alumni, staff and others covering their individual experiences at Carleton. 1971-2014
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American Archive of Public BroadcastingHistoric programs of publicly funded radio and television across America. Includes video of Watergate hearings, raw interview footage form Ken Burns documentaries, and many other political speeches and interviews.
