You will get limited results if you try to search for "primary sources" in library databases since the Library of Congress does not use that subject heading. Try searching these subject headings instead:
You will get limited results searching for the word "autobiography" since the Library of Congress does not use that subject heading. Try searching for "biography" but then look to make sure that the author is also listed as a subject. That is your clue that the person is writing about him or herself, and that is a primary source.
According to the Library of Congress
"Primary Sources are the raw materials of history, original documents and objects which were created at the time."
"Secondary sources are accounts or interpretations of events created by someone without firsthand experience."
"Tertiary sources present summaries or condensed versions of materials, usually with references back to the primary and/or secondary sources."
| Common Examples of Primary Sources | Common Examples of Secondary Sources | Common Examples of Tertiary Sources |
|
personal narratives documents speeches memoirs diaries interviews oral history letters |
Biographies Monographs Journal Articles Dissertations/Theses Essays Encyclopedia articles |
Dictionaries/encyclopedias Almanacs Fact books Bibliographies Directories Guidebooks Manuals Handbooks Textbooks Indexing and abstracting sources Atlas |