LibGuides: History: Government Resources for Historical Research

Purpose

This is a selected bibliography of primary source collections pertaining to U.S. history available online. Please note, the library is not responsible for the content on these sources and it is the student's responsibility to properly cite from the proper location. There may also be secondary sources included in these collections and it is up to the student to evaluate if the item qualifies as a primary or secondary source.

Selected History Websites

Government Primary Source Collections

100 Milestone Documents
A selection of 100 significant documents pertaining to American history - from the Lee Resolution of 1776 to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
America's Historical Documents
From the National Archives, digitized images of significant documents pertaining to U.S. history from the Articles of Confederation, the check written to purchase Alaska, Edison's light bulb patent and more.
American Notes: Travels in America 1750-1920
From the Library of Congress, more than 250 published narratives about and from visitors to the colonies and United States (1750-1920). Subjects include: agriculture, topographic descriptions, social life and customs, religion, Native Americans, military, Mormons, and much more.
American Revolution
The American Revolution and the New Nation: 1775-1815
Images of primary source documents pertaining to the American Revolution and the New Nation (1775-1815). [George Washington's Commission as Commander in Chief (1775), Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776), Lee Resolution (1776), Declaration of Independence (1776), Articles of Confederation (1777), Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), Treaty of Paris (1783), Northwest Ordinance (1787), Constitution of the United States (1787), Federalist Papers (1787-1788), George Washington's First Inaugural Address (1789), Judiciary Act of 1789 (1789), Residence Act (1790), Bill of Rights (1791), Jay's Treaty (1794), George Washington's Farewell Address (1796), Alien and Sedition Acts (1798), Jefferson's Secret Message Regarding the Lewis & Clark Expedition (1803), Marbury v. Madison (1803), Louisiana Purchase (1803), Treaty of Ghent (1814)].
An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera
"The Printed Ephemera collection at the Library of Congress is a rich repository of Americana. In total, the collection comprises 28,000 primary-source items dating from the seventeenth century to the present and encompasses key events and eras in American history."
Colonial and Early America
Images, manuscripts, maps and sound files about Jamestown and the first Thanksgiving.
State of Delaware: Examining The 17th Century Through The Documents Of The Delaware Public Archives
From the Delaware Public Archives, 30 primary source documents (1646-1683) including land grants, court dockets, marriage contracts, indentured servant contract and more. Fully transcribed and images of the original available as well.

Born in Slavery: From the American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress
From the Library of Congress, over 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery from the Federal Writers' Project.
Frederick Douglass Papers at the Library of Congress
7,400 digitized documents pertaining to the life of former slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass.
From Slavery to Freedom: The African-American Pamphlet Collection, 1822-1909 (Library of Congress)
396 pamphlets (1822-1909) written by African American authors on the subject of slavery.
Unknown No Longer
Collection of primary source records pertaining to slavery in America. Sources include: account books, affidavits, autobiographies, Bible records, bill of sales, broadsides, court records, deeds, diaries and more.
Voices from the Days of Slavery
Seven hours of digitized audio recordings of interviews of former slaves.

100 Milestone Documents
A selection of 100 significant documents pertaining to American history - from the Lee Resolution of 1776 to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
American Civil War
American Memory Project: The Civil Rights Era
Collection of various documents and photographs pertaining to the Civil Rights Movement, particularly on the subjects of desegregation and in the realm of entertainment and entertainers.
Antietam National Battlefield Letters and Diaries of Soldiers and Civilians
Transcription of letters and diaries of soldiers who witnessed the Battle of Antietam.
The Civil War: Soldiers and Sailors Database from the National Park Service
Searchable database with information of soldiers and sailors who served during the Civil War.
Civil War@Smithsonian
Civil War and Reconstruction
Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877) from the National Archives
Images of primary sources pertaining to the Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877) from the National Archives.
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1860-1877 from the Library of Congress
Transcription of significant primary sources pertaining to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Documents include: Homestead Act (1862), Pacific Railway Act (1862), Morrill Act (1862), Emancipation Proclamation (1863), Gettysburg Address (1863), 13th Amendment to the Constitution (1865), Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address (1865), Treaty with Russia for the Purchase of Alaska (1867), 14th, Amendment to the Constitution (1868), 15th Amendment to the Constitution (1870), and the Act Establishing Yellowstone National Park (1872).
Civil War (National Park Service)
Civil War Maps from the Library of Congress
Over 2,000 digitized maps pertaining to the Civil War can be found here. "The maps, charts, and atlases depict battles, troop positions and movements, engagements, and fortifications. Also included are reconnaissance maps, sketch maps, coastal charts, and theater of war maps."
Civil War Soldiers & Sailors Database
Mr. Lincoln's Virtual Library
A cooperative project from the Library of Congress which highlights selections from two of the Library's collections.
Rosa Parks Papers: Library of Congress
Photographs and various documents pertaining to the life of Rosa Parks.
We Shall Overcome: Historic Places of the Civil Rights Movement
List and interactive map from the National Parks Service pointing out Civil Rights historic sites. While there are no primary sources available from the site, it provides a valuable directory and secondary information that will lead you to the location of primary sources.

African Americans in the Gilded Age: Library of Congress
This link provides lesson guides for teachers on teaching the subject of African American Identity in the Gilded Age. Look under the heading "Lesson Two: Analyzing Primary Sources." Under this heading there are links to primary sources on the following subcategories: family, work, play, faith, education, race and violence.
America at Work, America at Leisure: Motion Pictures from 1894 to 1915: Library of Congress
151 motion pictures from the late 19th and early 20th century that feature Americans at work and leisure.
Conservation Movement, 1850-1920: Library of Congress
Digitized primary sources including images, government documents, books, pamphlets and more on the United States conservation movement (1850-1920).
Development of the Industrial United States: Library of Congress
From the Library of Congress, links to primary and secondary sources on the development of industrial United States (1876-1900).
The Development of the Industrial U.S. (1870-1900): National Archives
Hundreds of digitized primary sources pertaining to the development of the Industrial U.S. (1870-1900).
The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930): National Archives
Hundreds of digitized primary sources pertaining to the emergence of Modern America (1890-1930).
Inside an American Factory: Films of the Westinghouse Works, 1904: Library of Congress
39 motion pictures and films that feature factory workers from the Westinghouse companies - early 20th century.
Inventing Entertainment: The Early Motion Pictures and Sound Recordings of the Edison Companies: Library of Congress
Hundreds of motion pictures and sound recordings from the Edison Company (late 19th early 20th centuries).
National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection, 1848-1921: Library of Congress
167 books, pamphlets and other documents pertaining to the National American Woman Suffrage Association (1848-1921).
Theodore Roosevelt: His Life and Times on Film: Library of Congress
121 films and images of Theodore Roosevelt.
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Digitized newspaper accounts of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire that occurred in 1911.

The Spanish-American War in Motion Pictures: Library of Congress
82 images and films from the Spanish-American War from the Library of Congress.
The Spanish-American War: The United States Becomes a World Power: Library of Congress
Photographs, maps, newspapers and documents pertaining to the Spanish-American War.
Theodore Roosevelt: A Resource Guide: Library of Congress
Links to several digital collection on the life of Theodore Roosevelt are included in this resource guide from the Library of Congress.

American Leaders Speak: Recordings from WWI and the 1920 Election: Library of Congress
Audio recordings of speeches and other dialogs from WWI and the 1920 election.
Newspaper Pictorials: World War I Rotogravures, 1914 to 1919: Library of Congress
Digitized collection of newspaper pictorials from the New York Times and the New York Tribune during WWI.
Stars and Stripes: The American Soldiers' Newspaper of World War I, 1918 to 1919: Library of Congress
Complete digitized collection of The Stars and Stripes WWI edition, a newspaper published in France by the American Expeditionary Forces.
Veterans History Project
Biographical information on soldiers from WWI to the Iraq War. Some entries include digitized photographs, memoirs, letters and other documents associated with that particular soldier.
WWI and WWII Posters: Library of Congress
Digitized propaganda posters from WWI.
WWI Records: National Archives
War records from WWI, including draft registration cards, death records, veterans homes records, and African American military records.

American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936 to 1940: Library of Congress
Transcriptions of interviews conducted by the Federal Writers' Project with persons living between 1936-1940.
The Great Depression Primary Source Sets: Library of Congress
Primary source documents from the Library of Congress covering the Dust Bowl Migration and the New Deal.
The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945): National Archives
Digital collection of the National Archives, covering the Great Depression and WWII.
Voices from the Dust Bowl: the Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin Migrant Worker Collection, 1940 to 1941: Library of Congress
Selected digitized photos that depict the life of migrant farm workers living and working on Farm Security Administration camps in central California.
WPA Posters: Library of Congress
Digitized collection of nearly 1,000 posters from the WPA (1936-1943).

The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945): National Archives
Digital collection of the National Archives, covering the Great Depression and WWII.
The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945): National Archives. Lessons
Lessons incorporating primary digitized documents from the National Archives' Educator Resources.
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum Online Collection
From the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum digital collection, documents, audio files, photographs and more covering topics such as dropping of the atomic bombs, desegregation of the armed forces, Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, Japanese Americans during WWII, NATO, Truman Doctrine and more.
Historic Government Publications from World War II: Southern Methodist University
Over 300 documents printed by the Government Printing Office during WWII. Includes pamphlets, reports, speeches, propaganda posters and more.
Japanese American Internment: Library of Congress
Digitized primary sources pertaining to Japanese American internment during WWII.
Veterans History Project
Biographical information on soldiers from WWI to the Iraq War. Some entries include digitized photographs, memoirs, letters and other documents associated with that particular soldier.

Baptism By Fire: CIA Analysis of the Korean War
Over 1,300 CIA documents dated between 1947 and 1954 pertaining to the Korean War.
The Korean War and its Origins: Truman Library
From the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, a chronological listing of digitized significant documents pertaining to the Korean War (1945-1953).
Korean War Records (U.S. National Archives)
Digitized Vietnam War records from the National Archives, and links to other websites. Includes: Korean War Casualty and POW/MIA Records, Vietnam War Fatal Casualty Statistics, State Lists of U. S. Fatal Casualties of the Korean War, and Electronic Data Records Relating to Military Objectives and Activities During the Korean War.
Veterans History Project
Biographical information on soldiers from WWI to the Iraq War. Some entries include digitized photographs, memoirs, letters and other documents associated with that particular soldier.

Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library
Diaries, histories, telephone conversation transcripts, photos, audio and videos pertaining to Johnson's presidency.
Naval History and Heritage Command: Vietnam War
Monthly summaries from the Naval Department during the Vietnam War years.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Digitized collection of diaries, documents, and interviews related to President Nixon's time in office.
Pentagon Papers: National Archives
Report of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Vietnam Task Force papers from the Pentagon. Report covers topics such as peace negotiations, war reports, and more.
Veterans History Project
Biographical information on soldiers from WWI to the Iraq War. Some entries include digitized photographs, memoirs, letters and other documents associated with that particular soldier.
Vietnam War Records: National Archives
Digitized Vietnam War records from the National Archives. Includes: Vietnam War Casualty and POW/MIA Records, Vietnam War Fatal Casualty Statistics, State Lists of U. S. Fatal Casualties of the Vietnam War, and Electronic Data Records Relating to Military Objectives and Activities During the Vietnam War.
The War in Vietnam - A Story in Photographs: National Archives
Select photographs from the Vietnam War from the National Archives.

American Memory Project: The Civil Rights Era
Collection of various documents and photographs pertaining to the Civil Rights Movement, particularly on the subjects of desegregation and in the realm of entertainment and entertainers.
Civil Rights Primary Source Sets: Library of Congress
Collection of primary sources covering the topics of Jim Crow laws and the NAACP.
FBI Records: Civil Rights
Digitized FBI records concerning Civil Rights cases, organizations and leaders.
Rosa Parks Papers: Library of Congress
Photographs and various documents pertaining to the life of Rosa Parks.
Civil Rights in America (National Park Service)

Cherokee Trail of Tears Primary Sources from the National Archives in Washington, DC
Documents and reports pertaining to the Cherokee Trail of Tears.
Native American Heritage Month
Provides links to a variety of online primary and secondary sources, covering topics such as Native American veterans, historical sites, treaties, and culture.
Native Voices
Interactive timeline, online exhibit and recorded interviews with Native Americans concerning the topics of health and illness. Interviews provide insight into the culture and history of various tribes.
North American Indian: Images from the Smithsonian
Collection of Native American photographs by Edward Curtis.
Researching American Indians and Alaska Natives: National Archives
Provides access to Native American genealogical records as well as tribal treaties.
Transcript of the Dawes Act
Transcription of the 1887 Dawes Act which required Native American enrollment to receive an allotment of tribal land.

African American Odyssey (Library of Congress)
Page provides links to various African American collections from the Library of Congress.
African America Perspectives: Pamphlets from the Daniel A.P. Murray Collection, 1818-1907
Digitized collection of pamphlets pertaining to African American history and culture. Features many well known African American authors such as Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington.
Born in Slavery: From the American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress
From the Library of Congress, over 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery from the Federal Writers' Project.
Slaves and the Courts, 1740-1860
Large collection of pamphlets and books published between 1772 and 1889 pertaining to African American slaves in the colonial and U.S. legal system.

Chinese Exclusion Act
Image of along with transcription of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, an important document in the history of immigration legislation in the U.S.
Ellis Island Museum of Immigration: Primary Sources
Memoirs of a few immigrants who passed through Ellis Island. Transcriptions are included along with the audio recordings.
Immigration: Challenges for New Americans: Library of Congress
Collection of primary sources from the Library of Congress that concentrate on the challenges faced by immigrants to the U.S. in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Mexican American Migrations and Communities: Library of Congress
Documents, photos, maps and more from the Library of Congress pertaining to Mexican American migration and Mexican American communities.

The Struggle for Women's Suffrage Selected Images From the Collections of the Library of Congress
Digitized images of prominent leaders in the women's suffrage movement.
Votes for Women: Library of Congress
167 books, pamphlets and other documents pertaining to the National American Woman Suffrage Association (1848-1921).
Women's History: Library of Congress
Select list of documents that hit on key points of women's history. Documents include a petition for bail from accused witches (1692), letter from Mary Todd to Abraham Lincoln, letter from Susan B. Anthony, and Amelia Earhart's palm print and analysis of her character to name a few.
Women's Suffrage: Library of Congress
Selection of primary sources pertaining to women's suffrage.

History

Purpose

Selected History Websites

Government Primary Source Collections

Other Government Websites