When you need to find primary sources for your research, using specific phrases and words in your search will help you.
In Muskingum Library resources:
- Add 'sources' to your keyword search in databases or OhioLINK. The subject term for many primary documents uses the word 'sources'. You can also try words like 'letters', 'correspondence, ' 'personal narratives', 'diaries', 'papers', 'journals' or 'oral history'.
In general Internet searches:
- Many museums, libraries, universities and other organizations are digitizing primary sources for scholarly use. Try a google search using 'primary sources' as one of your keywords, or other words such as letters, etc.
- For best results, limit your search to sites hosted by educational institutions (.edu) or the government (.gov). Do this by using Google's advanced search, or just add 'site:.edu' or 'site:.gov' to your search.
- Be careful with online sources - check their 'about us' page to see who they are. Look for citations of the original source.
