Sources of Sources of HistoryHistory

Mr. Mr. ScullionScullion

Sources of HistorySources of HistoryHow do historians find out about the past? Since they were not there, they must use clues just like detectives. These clues can be written, visual, or physical—actual objects used by people from that time. Historians analyze their sources in much the same way that crime scene investigators examine their clues in a laboratory. Historians use two major groups of sources for their investigations about the past: primary sources and secondary sources.

Primary SourcesPrimary Sources

Examples Examples

Primary sources are records or objects that were created by people who participated in historical events.

Secondary SourcesSecondary Sources

Examples Examples

Secondary sources are items created by people who studied these events or developments rather than participating in them.

Visual SourcesVisual Sources Can be a primary or secondary source Can be a primary or secondary source

Examples Examples

Photographs Photographs

PaintingsPaintings

MoviesMovies

Photographs, paintings, movies, and posters are examples of visual sources. Historians ask questions like these to learn about visual sources: What does this show us about this time? Who made the image and why? Was the photographer paid to show a particular point of view?

Visual SourcesVisual SourcesThe photograph below shows Charlotte cousins Mabel and Ethel Wyche in 1930. Look at it and answer these questions:

1.Why do you think the photograph was taken?

2.What image do you think Mabel and Ethel were trying to present?

3.Why do you think they are looking away from the camera?

4.What do their outfits tell you about women during this time?

ArtifactsArtifactsAre Primary Sources Are Primary Sources

Examples Examples

Pottery Pottery Weapons Weapons Tools Tools

Artifacts are objects made by humans. They can tell historians about the time in which they were produced and offer clues about what it was like to live then.

ArtifactsArtifacts

Look at this artifact and then answer these questions:

1.What do you think this object was used for?

2.What is it made of?

3.Who would have used this and why?

4.What do these answers tell you about life at the time the object was made?

Published / UnpublishedPublished / UnpublishedDocumentsDocuments

Examples Examples

Can be a primary or secondary source Can be a primary or secondary source

Published Published Unpublished Unpublished

Many clues from the past come from documents. Some documents, such as government records, magazines, newspapers, and books are published for others to read. Other documents, like letters, wills, diaries, sermons, and speeches, are usually not published. These unpublished documents can be found in courthouses, churches, family attics, and other places. Historians ask many of the same questions of published and unpublished sources.

Published / UnpublishedPublished / UnpublishedDocumentsDocuments This scrapbook pageis an

example of an unpublished document. What does it tell you?

1.To where did Caroline travel?

2.What special event did she attend?

3.What clues tell you about the approximate date when Caroline created this scrapbook page?

4.Why do you think Caroline wanted to remember these experiences?

Oral HistoriesOral Histories Can be a primary or secondary source Can be a primary or secondary source

Examples Examples

Oral histories are another way for historians to learn about the past. Oral histories are created when researchers interview people about the past. They are especially important for learning about the experiences of people who do not write things down. A historian evaluates these stories like other historical sources.

Is the Source Credible?Is the Source Credible?

What is the source? What is the source?

When and where was it When and where was it produced? produced?

Who created it? Who created it?

For whom was it For whom was it created? created?

What was the What was the creator’screator’sintent? intent?

Is the Source Credible?Is the Source Credible?Bush takes a PunchBush takes a Punch

July 17, 2008July 17, 2008The Onion NewspaperThe Onion Newspaper

WASHINGTON—In an unprecedented gesture of apology, President Bush WASHINGTON—In an unprecedented gesture of apology, President Bush allowed widow Mary Holt, 32, to punch him once on the left arm Monday allowed widow Mary Holt, 32, to punch him once on the left arm Monday as retribution for the death of her husband, Marine Pfc. David Holt, who as retribution for the death of her husband, Marine Pfc. David Holt, who was killed in a 2007 roadside bomb explosion outside Fallujah. "President was killed in a 2007 roadside bomb explosion outside Fallujah. "President Bush cares very deeply about the families of our fallen heroes," said White Bush cares very deeply about the families of our fallen heroes," said White

House Press Secretary Dana Perino, who later explained the stipulations of House Press Secretary Dana Perino, who later explained the stipulations of the punch, which included no monkey bubbles or taking a running start. the punch, which included no monkey bubbles or taking a running start.

"The president gladly would have let Mrs. Holt punch his favored right arm "The president gladly would have let Mrs. Holt punch his favored right arm if it didn't still sting from when little Abigail Pritchard give him a five-if it didn't still sting from when little Abigail Pritchard give him a five-second Indian burn for her grandmother being killed in the aftermath of second Indian burn for her grandmother being killed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina." After delivering the blow, Holt reportedly sustained Hurricane Katrina." After delivering the blow, Holt reportedly sustained

massive internal hemorrhaging when five Secret Service agents tackled the massive internal hemorrhaging when five Secret Service agents tackled the grieving widow to the ground.grieving widow to the ground.