Primary sources are documents and records that were created at the time of an historical event or created by someone who witnessed or experienced that historical event.
Examples of primary sources include (but are not limited to):
Audio Visual
Images and Art
Material Culture
Many of these items can also be secondary sources. The key distinction is when it was created or by whom in relation to the historical event.
Example:
Newspaper articles about the election of Susanna M. Salter who, when elected in 1887, became simultaneously the first woman mayor of Argonia, KS and the first woman mayor in the United States.
1. Newspaper article written in 1887 -- primary source, written at the time of the historical event.
2. Newspaper article written in 1961 when Salter died, describing her role in history -- secondary source, written after the fact, by someone who did not witness her term in office.
3. Newspaper article written in 1920 that included interviews with Salter and other residents of Argonia during her term-- the interviews can be primary sources because the people experienced the historical event.
These resources are good starting points for finding primary sources.
More primary sources are provided on the Sources for Selected Topics, Events, and Classes page.
Digital Public Library of America is the best starting point for many topics. You can search by keywords, including people's names, the names of organizations, events, and laws. This is a free website that you can continue accessing after you leave K-State.
ProQuest Congressional is a good source for hearings about the proposed laws. Your best search method is by the name of the law (this should be in your notes or readings for class). The people who spoke at the hearings provide testimony about why the law should or should not be passed. You may want to focus on the testimony of those who were members of the protected class being discussed as they will often describe their working conditions.
Content Warning
These materials may include images and text reflecting various forms of oppression, including but not limited to offensive language or negative stereotypes. Instances of bigotry reflect the attitudes, perspectives and beliefs of those that created and participated in them and should be considered records of the era in which they were produced.
Content warning developed by Irina Rogova, Digital Resources Archivist
Your best options are to search by keywords or use the map to find materials by location.
Your best search is by keyword, particularly ones related to protected classes. You can then limit reports by date, publication title, or subject using the filters on the left side of the search results page.
Interviews start in 2010, making this a great source for identifying current issues.
Paid for by K-State Libraries
Search Congressional hearings, public issues, legislation, and legal research. Includes the full-text of detailed information about Congress, expert testimony on the leading issues of the day, and federal regulations. Includes Serial Set and American State Papers. (Formerly LexisNexis Congressional).
Publication Dates Covered: 1851-2021 Paid for by K-State Libraries
Digitized version of The New York Times since its first issue in 1851. Search the full text of articles to find articles on a wide variety of topics. Full name of the database is ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times with Index.
When an issue goes to court, the most commonly available artifact is the decision by the judges. K-State Libraries subscribes to a database, HeinOnline, where you can get the decision for many cases that were heard in the federal courts. There are also some websites that offer decisions and related materials for cases, such as the audio of the Supreme Court hearings or documents filed by either side in civil rights cases.
HeinOnline is a premier online database containing more than 160 million pages and 200,000 titles of historical and government documents in a fully searchable, image-based format. HeinOnline bridges an important research gap by providing comprehensive coverage from inception of more than 2,600 law-related periodicals. In addition to its vast collection of academic journals, HeinOnline contains the entire Congressional Record, Federal Register, and Code of Federal Regulations, complete coverage of the U.S. Reports back to 1754, and entire databases dedicated to treaties, constitutions, case law, world trials, classic treatises, international trade, foreign relations, U.S. Presidents, and much more.
These sites can answer your questions about the legal system and courts in the United States.
