What is a primary source?
Each academic discipline creates and uses primary and secondary sources differently; the definition of a primary source only makes sense in the context of a specific discipline or field of inquiry.
In the humanities and the arts, a primary document might be an original creative work.
It might be a part of the historical record written about, or in proximity to, an event.
In the sciences, it might be a publication of original research.
Here are two definitions that try to capture the elusive nature of primary documents:
A definition from Cornell: Primary sources are the main text or work that you are discussing (e.g. a sonnet by William Shakespeare; an opera by Mozart);
actual data or research results (e.g. a scientific article presenting original findings; statistics);
or historical documents (e.g. letters, pamphlets, political tracts, manifestoes).
["What is a Source?" Recognizing and Avoiding Plagarism. Cornell University. College of Arts and Sciences.]
A definition from Yale: "A primary source is firsthand testimony or direct evidence concerning a topic under investigation. The nature and value of a source cannot be determined without reference to the topic and questions it is meant to answer. The same document, or other piece of evidence, may be a primary source in one investigation and secondary in another. The search for primary sources does not, therefore, automatically include or exclude any category of records or documents."
[Yale University Library Primary Sources Research Colloquium in History]
with thanks to Michael Engle, Cornell reference librarian
A photograph can be a Primary Source
Thomas Jefferson's drawing of a macaroni machine and instructions for making pasta, ca. 1787 Thomas Jefferson Papers, American Memory.
Italian-American Photograph Project (online), Center for Migration Studies
Examples of online Primary Sources
American Memory: Historical Collections for the National Digital Library.
Washington: Library of Congress, National Digital Library Program, 1994- .
Making of America: the Cornell University Library MOA collection.
Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Library, 1996- .
What kind of source is this?
Follow the link: "Italian Macaroni," (July 1893)
And this: "The Italians and the Organ-Grinders" (1873)
Examples of news and periodicals as Primary Sources
American Periodicals (database)
The New York Times (1857-1922), ProQuest HIstorical Newspapers.
The New York Times (1923-2013), Proquest Historical Newspapers.
Independent Voices: An Open Access Archive of an Alternative Press
Primary? secondary? both? when?
Gebhart, John C. The Growth and Development of Italian Children in New York City. Publication no. 132. New York: New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, 1924. Olin RJ 206.D81 no. 1-10 (housed at Library Annex).
Italians in the United States: A Repository of Rare Tracts and Miscellanea. The Italian-American Experience. New York: Arno Press, 1975. Library Annex E 184 .I8 I875.
Cordasco, Francesco. Italian Americans: A Guide to Information Sources. Volume 2 in the Ethnic Studies Information Guide Series. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1978. Olin Z 1361.I8 C792.