For Writers

Using Online Primary Sources in Historical Research

by Nina Rowan

When researching a historical romance, primary sources are an excellent starting point. Created during the actual time period, primary sources include letters, diaries, maps, photographs, artwork, documents, newspapers, music, magazines, memoirs and public records. Many libraries have contributed to the preservation of primary source documents through digital scanning, and the scanned texts are often available online.

For historical fiction research, primary sources can serve a number of purposes, whether to lend authenticity to a scene or character, to verify a fact, or even to provide inspiration.

The resources I list here relate mainly to European and British history. Some of the databases can only be accessed with a library code.

If you live close to a university library, even if you're not a faculty member or student, I suggest calling to inquire about obtaining a library pass. Many university libraries provide passes (sometimes for a nominal fee) to members of the community, which allows you full access to library resources and databases.

For idea-browsing on subjects such as politics, legal issues, social structures and daily life, try these sites:

• EuroDocs
  This is a repository of European historical documents that have been transcribed, translated, or reproduced in facsimile. Browse by country and time period to view text and scanned documents.
  
  
• The European Library
  This site searches national libraries throughout Europe. Searchable by country or type of document.
  
  
• The Victorian Dictionary
  An awesome searchable site with excerpts from Victorian sources, including books, advertisements, newspapers and maps.
  
  
• Victorian E-Texts
  A searchable database of Victorian-era novels, including Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, George Elliot, and Emily Bronte.
  
  
• Victorian Studies on the Web
  A searchable database of hundreds of publications relating to Victorian studies. Allows a free one-month trial.
  
  
• Internet Library of Early Journals
  Digitized versions of 18th and 19th century British journals.
  
  
• Map Room
  Scans of maps published in atlases prior to 1923. Contains a zoom function so you can see details and street names of city maps.
  
  
• Penny Magazine Online
  Several issues of the popular 19th century magazine, including poems, images and articles.

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When sketching out your heroine's character, consult letters and memoirs written by women of the era, many of which give insight into the behaviors, expectations, and constraints of women throughout the social scale:

• Victorian Women Writers Project
  Transcriptions of work written by 19th century British women writers.
  
  
• Godey's Lady's Book Online
  Images, stories and articles from the popular 19th century lady's book.
  
  
• British and Irish Women's Letters and Diaries (1500-1950)
  A database of over 100,000 searchable diaries and letters. Includes biographies and an annotated bibliography. Log-in required.
  
  
• Victorian Passage
  This site contains excerpts from American and British Victorian primary sources, including diaries, recipes, catalogue entries, and magazine articles.

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Art—paintings, drawings, sketches, photographs—is a powerful primary source. My next article will address how visual media can complement written sources and authenticate your research.