Primary Source Documents

Primary source documents are original materials created at the time an event occurred or by someone directly involved. Examples include letters, photographs, official records, diaries, and news reports from the period. These sources provide firsthand evidence and authentic insights into history, culture, or situations, allowing researchers to understand what truly happened from the perspective of those who experienced it. They are valuable for studying the past because they offer direct connections to historical moments, rather than interpretations or summaries created later.