Primary and Secondary Sources
We can use both Primary and Secondary Sources to help us to research and understand people, places, ideas and events from the past.
Primary Sources:
Primary sources are created at the time of an event by someone who was there, or very soon after something has happened. These sources are first-hand account. Primary sources include:
Secondary Sources:
Secondary sources are created after an event. They are a second-hand account and often interpret, explain or give an opinion about a primary resource. Secondary sources include:
Primary Sources:
Primary sources are created at the time of an event by someone who was there, or very soon after something has happened. These sources are first-hand account. Primary sources include:
- Diaries, letters and journals
- Photographs
- Original documents
- Art
- Relics and artifacts
- Maps
- Video, film or sound recordings
- Interviews and speeches
- Newspapers and magazines
Secondary Sources:
Secondary sources are created after an event. They are a second-hand account and often interpret, explain or give an opinion about a primary resource. Secondary sources include:
- Encyclopedias
- History books
- Text books
- Biographies
- Art
- Newspapers and magazines
- Movies of historical events
Watch this video about Primary and Secondary Sources to find out more
Museums and State Libraries
Museums and State Libraries are places where you will find Primary Sources. We have the Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum and the State Library of Victoria. Many museums and libraries now have digital collections for you to browse online as well.
At the Melbourne Museum you can discover some of the history of Melbourne by looking at the Primary Sources at the Marvellous Melbourne Collection or view some of the Museum's Treasures.
At the State Library of Victoria you can explore Treasures and Curios including a close up look at Ned Kelly's armour.
Read how Museum Victoria used Primary Sources to research a 1889 tram so they could build a miniature model using 21st century technology including a 3D printer.
Discover more about life in the trenches during the First World War through photographs from the National War Memorial.
Museums and State Libraries are places where you will find Primary Sources. We have the Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum and the State Library of Victoria. Many museums and libraries now have digital collections for you to browse online as well.
At the Melbourne Museum you can discover some of the history of Melbourne by looking at the Primary Sources at the Marvellous Melbourne Collection or view some of the Museum's Treasures.
At the State Library of Victoria you can explore Treasures and Curios including a close up look at Ned Kelly's armour.
Read how Museum Victoria used Primary Sources to research a 1889 tram so they could build a miniature model using 21st century technology including a 3D printer.
Discover more about life in the trenches during the First World War through photographs from the National War Memorial.