MODULE 4

Kinds of Primary Sources and ​Repositories of Primary Sources

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, the learners are expected to:
1. Enumerate examples of primary sources.
2. Search for repositories of primary sources.
3. Explain the process how sources are compiled and processed.
4. Produce a video/audio material about primary sources.

Kinds of Primary Sources

Primary sources gives historian and students of history an almost real-time
understanding of past events. The study of history often misunderstood as a mere listing of
persons and events provides a clear and accurate picture of a people’s past culture and
society. Historian have shown the importance of looking at the diverse ways of evaluating
historical evidences. And in order to fully appreciate history and learn the most out of historical
studies, professional and students of history alike must be able to distinguish the different
classes of primary sources.

Secondary sources tells about and analyze a primary source. They are at least one step
removed from the primary source, such as when an article was written in a newspaper
something that happened half a century ago. If a historian is investigating a person’s life he
must not rely solely on what written about him.

Today, historical revisionism and post-truth create space for discussion on the
importance of credibility to history writing.

Examples of Primary Sources Include

Diaries, Correspondence, journals, speeches, interviews, letters, memos, photographs, videos,
public opinion polls, and government records, Manuscript, Pamphlets, Broadsides, Posters,
Newspaper Articles Photographs and Illustrations, Autobiographical Materials, Interview Or
Speech Transcripts, Oral Histories, Government Documents (Laws, Bills, Proceedings, Acts,
Census Records, etc.

Repository of Primary Sources

Sources of history, whether primary or secondary, come from the past and gives insight
into the period being studied. Instead of viewing history as a list of dates and facts, primary
sources provide the original artifacts of historical interpretation. They are stored, preserved and
accessed from institutions and sites tasked and dedicated to give an accurate and clear
perspective of the past.

For the conduct of historical research there are a lot of repositories of primary sources.
Although it is the toughest part of studying history, it is also most rewarding, especially when

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sources collected becomes the solid foundation for a scholarly work. Both physical, personal
and online repositories of sources abound. The real challenge is to produce a well-curated
collection of materials. An advice would be the use of the right terminology from the era under
study in order to properly locate significant materials.

Materials from libraries, museums and archives are next to nothing in terms of credibility
yet can consume a lot of time. Online or digital sources are abundant are abundant so
researchers have to pore over a great quantity of records, thus, it could be exhausting. These
repositories kept by the government, public or private institutions are a veritable stockpile of
knowledge. Markers and monuments installed by the National Historical Commission also
functions to keep record of important events and personalities. Sometimes special fields are
needed to aid the historians make ends meet in their pursuit of sources. For example,
epigraphy s​ tudies the meanings and significance of inscriptions in monuments could help in
make finding sources meaningful.

Other special related fields that help historian in the work are numismatics, paleography
genetics, cryptography, museology, etc. Museums is where artifacts and implements of the
past are exhibited and restored. Archive is a place where old government or church documents
are stored for safekeeping and research. Libraries are depositories of written texts and other
media.

In the Philippines the National Historical Commission (NHCP) through its Historic Sites
and Education Division (HSED) “administers and maintains national shrines, monuments and
landmarks and operates interactive history museums”. Created under RA 10086, among other
things, the NHCP “manage, maintain and administer national shrines, monuments, historical
sites, edifices and landmarks of significant historic-cultural value”. A number of museums
across the country are are found commemorating historically important persons, events and
places.

Credibility of Sources
Context decides the acceptability of a source or not. Proper distinction must be made
between primary and secondary in order to determine its credibility and relevance to a
particular discipline. For instance, a textbook published during the American colonial period in
the Philippines reflects the educational program offered by the Americans during that era.
Some other time that textbook would be considered a secondary source of history.
Bias, orientation and strongly-held beliefs could affect a rational study of a source. To avoid an
undue results, an impartial and impersonal approach should be observed in studying source.

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Below are helpful guide- questions to help discriminate sources.

What is it?
Who wrote or made it?
When was it written or made?
Where was it written or made?
How was it written or made?
What evidence does this source contribute to my research?
Then Ask, What Is The Meaning of This Primary Source?
Why was this document/object written or made?
Who was the intended audience/user?
What questions does this source raise? What don’t we know about this source?
What other information do we have about this document or object?
What other sources are like this one?
What other sources might help answer our questions about this one?
What else do we need to know in order to understand the evidence in this source?
What have others said about this or similar sources?
How does this source help me to answer my research question?
How does evidence from this source alter or fit into existing interpretations of the past?
http://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/primarySources.html, 9/16/2015.

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