ASA - The Library Catalog
Interlibrary Loan
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U.S. Government Reports as Primary Sources
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U.S. Congressional Serial SetThe U.S. Congressional Serial Set is an incomparably rich, and until this digitization, a largely untapped collection of primary source material detailing all aspects of American history. Lehigh's Federal Depository collection has had many of these materials in print form, however the indexing was limited and discovery was difficult and time consuming. With this online database one can easily research U.S. political, social, cultural, military and ethnic history, as well as international relations, exploration expeditions across the country and throughout the world, genealogy, commerce, industrial development and much more. Its contents come not only from the U.S. Congress, but also include key Executive Department publications and publication series. Lehigh's official subscription to this product contains the 19th and 20th Century documents beginning with Volume 1 in the first session of the 15th Congress (1817) and extending to 1980.
What is a primary source?
A primary source are sources that were created during the time period a researcher is studying, and provide firsthand evidence about a person, event, work of art, or object. This can include:
- letters or other forms of direct communication
- creative writing such as novels, poems, or plays
- speeches
- newspapers
- works of art, photographs, and music recordings
- eyewitness accounts
- interviews
- maps
Primary Sources Databases
Historic magazines, newspapers, and other published content:
Magazines and periodicals:
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Historical Periodicals CollectionCollection of American periodicals published between 1684 and 1912, provided by the American Antiquarian Society (AAS).
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American Periodicals Series OnlineFull text of over 1,100 periodicals published between 1740 and 1900.
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African American Periodicals: 1825-1995Full text of more than 170 African American Periodicals published between 1825 and 1995.
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Early American Imprints: 1801-1819In addition to its books, pamphlets and broadsides, this collection features many state papers and government materials, including published reports; presidential letters and messages; congressional, state and territorial resolutions. Coverage from 1801 to 1819.
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Harper's Weekly: The Civil War Era 1857-1865Provides Harper's Weekly online for the years 1857 to 1865.
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Readers Guide RetrospectiveDatabase containing comprehensive indexing of the most popular general-interest periodicals published in the United States and reflects the history of 20th century America.
Newspapers:
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19th Century U.S. Newspaper Digital ArchiveCover-to-cover full-text contents for hundreds of 19th century U.S. papers, 1800-1899.
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African-American Newspapers: The 19th CenturyNewspaper coverage of events and issues of the day, as well as biographies, vital statistics, essays and editorials, poetry and prose, and advertisements.
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African American Newspapers: 1827-1998Access to approximately 270 U.S. newspapers chronicling a century and a half of the African American experience.
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Early American Newspapers, Series II, 1758-1900Offers more than 200 significant 18th and 19th-century newspapers, focusing on the period between 1820 and 1860, when the number of American newspapers rose dramatically.
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New York Times (Historical Newspapers)A full-image archive that includes the entire historical run of The New York Times, since 1851.The database delivers every page of every issue from cover to cover, with full-page and article images in downloadable PDF.
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Philadelphia Inquirer (Historical Newspapers)A full-image archive that covers the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1860-2001. The database delivers every page of every issue from cover to cover, with full-page and article images in downloadable PDF.
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Historical Newspapers)A full-image archive that covers the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from 1786-2003. The database delivers every page of every issue from cover to cover, with full-page and article images in downloadable PDF.
