Primary sources are records that provide firsthand accounts or evidence of historical events or experiences. You might also find primary source material reproduced within a secondary source, such as a published biography or documentary history book.
Types of primary sources can include:
Books
Photographs and images
Magazine and Newspaper Articles
Letters
Advertisements and Cartoons
Memoirs and Autobiographies
Interviews
Diaries and Journals
Research Data and Statistics
Movies/Videos
Audio recordings
Speeches and Public Opinion Polls
Check your knowledge by completing the activity below on primary and secondary sources
Held in microfilm at the ADPML library
Held in microfilm at the ADPML library
Trove - a great resource for finding books, images, historic newspapers, maps, music, archives and more.
Australian War Memorial - combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive
National Archives of Australia - preserves Australia’s most valuable government records and promotes good records management by Australian Government agencies.
State Library of Victoria - Victoria's largest public reference library.
The Museum of Australian Democracy - presents 110 key documents that are the foundation of our nation.
State Library of New South Wales - internationally renowned and one of Australia’s leading libraries.
Public Record Office Victoria - holds the archives of the State Government of Victoria.