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German Studies

Primary Sources

Primary sources provide first-hand testimony or direct evidence concerning a topic under investigation. They are created by witnesses or recorders who experienced the events or conditions being documented. Often these sources are created at the time when the events or conditions are occurring, but primary sources can also include autobiographies, memoirs, and oral histories recorded later. Primary sources are characterized by their content, regardless of whether they are available in original format, in microfilm/microfiche, in digital format, or in published format.

Source: Yale University Library

To search the online catalog for primary sources, use keywords for topic and add words like:

  • diaries, letters, interviews
  • oral histories
  • personal narratives, personal memoir
  • sources

News

The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) is another excellent resource for books, periodicals, manuscripts, newspapers, and archival materials in print, microfilm, and digital formats. FSU belongs to this international consortium of university, college, and independent research libraries, which allows FSU patrons to borrow CRL materials via interlibrary loan for extended periods.

CRL’s collection related to France is particularly strong in newspapers, official gazettes, legislative debates, and other government publications.

CRL France Topic Guide: http://www.crl.edu/collections/topics/france

Digital Primary Sources

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