This visitor post comes to us from Cheryl Lederle of this Library of Congress.

Is really a newsprint a source that is primary? a governmental cartoon? A map? A lithograph? Is an excerpt in a textbook a source that is primary? What about a digitized facsimile? Many of these questions came up during the Library of Congress’ 2011 Summer Teacher Institutes.

“Primary sources” will be the recycleables of history — original papers and things that have been produced at the time under research. These are typically distinctive from additional sources, records or interpretations of occasions produced by somebody without firsthand experience. Pupils will many frequently utilize primary sources which were digitized.

This is appears clear sufficient until we start to label specific products as main or additional.

“Columbus using control of this country that is new” 1893

This image depicts Columbus landing for an area he called San Salvador, also called Watling Island. Could it be a source that is primary? Continue reading →