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Bishop's Resource Guide: Primary Sources

Research Subject Guides that will help you get access resources relevant to that subject.

What is a primary source?

Primary sources are original items/sources created during the time of the event or reflected on by witnesses of the event, such as artifacts, photographs, first-hand accounts of events, diaries, interviews, speeches, news reports, bills or laws, empirical studies, etc.

How to find primary sources at Bishop's?

You can use Sofia to search for primary sources.  Using Advanced Search, search for the following terms in the subject field or click on the links below.

CorrespondenceDiaries, History--SourcesInterviewsPersonal narratives, PortraitsSpeechesStatues, Statutes

Note: These searches are for the broad source type.  You will need to look at the subject heading on the left-hand side of the screen or add in additional keyword terms to find sources on your topic.

Some sources may be stored off-site, in CSTOR, or in the Old Library in McGreer.  See the Library Services Desk for more information on how to access these sources.

You can also consult our Jackdaw collection of primary sources.  If you come across a primary source in Sofia that has a call number of Reference Vertical Files Jackdaw, you can access them at the Research Assistance Desk.

Use Sofia's Advanced Search option to search for your subject term. Be sure to select "Subject" from the Search Index's drop-down menu.

Advanced Search in Sofia

For help finding primary sources, please see Research Assistance at the Library Services Desk.

Hours

Today's Library Hours

Need Help?

Reference librarians are available to help students and faculty with their research!
Check the Library's Research Assistance hours and come by the Library Services Desk located on the main floor of the LLC.
During Research Assistance hours, you can also chat with us using the LibChat box on this page or our Library Home Page!
 
Contact us:
   E-mail: reference@ubishops.ca
   Telephone: (819) 822-9600 ext. 2608
   Text: (819) 201-0354