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European History: Find Primary Sources

This is a guide for students who are studying European History from 1348-1789 and from 1789 to present.

Primary Sources: Best Bets

Times of London Logo

Times of London Digital Archive

Prominent British newspaper. Coverage dates: 1785 - 6 years ago

AM Explorer Logo

AM Explorer

Historical primary sources from around the world about a variety of subjects. Coverage dates: 1400 - present

British Periodicals Logo

British Periodicals Collection I-IV

Journals, newspapers, and magazines covering a range of topics such as literature, drama, philosophy, history, science, the fine arts, and the social sciences. Coverage dates: 1681 - 2005

HathiTrust Logo

HathiTrust

Government information, ebooks, and primary sources from a variety of places, including Google, the Internet Archive, and libraries around the world. Coverage dates: 1850 - present

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Selected Sources by Topic

Finding Primary Sources in the Library Catalog

When you are searching for primary sources in the library catalog, there are a few subject terms you can use to find them. Here's what you do. Change the drop-down option box to "Subject Words." Then type in "sources." Other subject terms to try include:

  • personal narratives
  • diaries
  • letters
  • photographs

Use these terms along with the other subjects you are studying.

Other kinds of primary sources include newspapers, magazines, or documents that were produced at the time you are studying. 

Selected Sources by Type

Newspaper Collections

Newspapers by Title

Magazine Collections