Historical Sources and Evidence

Historians are people who study and write about the past. To learn about history, they use evidence called historical sources. There are two main types of historical sources: primary sources and secondary sources. Using both together helps historians build a complete and accurate picture of what happened.

Primary Sources

• A primary source is created at the time of the historical event or by someone who witnessed it directly.
• Primary sources give us a firsthand view of history — they are original evidence.
• Examples: diaries and journals (e.g. a soldier's diary from World War I), letters (e.g. a letter written by Abraham Lincoln), photographs taken at the time, artifacts (objects from the period such as coins, tools, or pottery), official documents (e.g. the Magna Carta or the Declaration of Independence).
• Why they are valuable: They show us exactly what people saw, said, thought, or created at the time.

Secondary Sources

• A secondary source is created after the historical event, usually by someone who was not present. It is based on primary sources and other evidence.
• Secondary sources interpret, analyze, or summarize what happened.
• Examples: textbooks (e.g. a chapter about World War I), encyclopedias, documentaries (films about historical events), biographies, history books published years or centuries after the event.
• Why they are valuable: They help us understand the bigger picture and provide analysis and explanation of historical events.

Why Historians Use Both

• Primary sources provide direct evidence but may be limited to one person's viewpoint.
• Secondary sources provide broader understanding but are based on interpretation, which can vary.
• Using both types together helps historians cross-check information and reach more reliable conclusions.
• A good historian always asks: "Who created this source? When? Why? What does it tell me about the past?"