Notes: Tracing Primary Sources from Secondary Sources (Temperance Movement)

Primary vs Secondary Sources

  • Primary sources: original artifacts (letters, photographs, speeches, banners).
  • Secondary sources: interpret or synthesize primary sources (textbooks, articles).
  • Goal: identify and access the full primary source to understand context and intent.

Why trace to full primary sources

  • See the whole picture, not just excerpts (full speech, full painting).
  • Preserve context, perspective, and purpose of the artifact.

Temperance movement example (workflow)

  • Secondary source found an image in a textbook: page 350; caption notes it was produced by Kellogg and Comstock in the period 1840-1850; image credit: Mrs. Samuel St. John Morgan, Connecticut Historical Society.
  • Challenge: location and access to the original primary source.

Step-by-step process

  • Step 1: Note key details from the secondary source
    • Page: 350; subject: a woman in a red dress (as described).
    • Caption: Kellogg and Comstock, 1840-1850.
  • Step 2: Check image credits in the book
    • Look in back matter for provenance and links to the original source.
  • Step 3: Use reverse image search
    • Take a photo or screenshot the image; use Google Images "search by image".
    • Upload or paste URL; review results.
    • Likely first hit points to a reputable primary-source repository (e.g., Smithsonian National Museum of American History).
  • Step 4: Explore the primary source repository
    • Visit the Smithsonian page; check metadata; download the primary source if available.
  • Step 5: Expand search with Library of Congress (LOC)
    • Use Google: "temperance banner site:loc.gov" to filter results.
    • Browse LOC results, then refine on LOC’s site to the division most relevant to your item (e.g., Photos, Prints, Drawings).
  • Step 6: Compare images and context
    • Side-by-side: textbook image vs LOC image may differ in details (e.g., dress color) but be from a similar time and convey similar messages.
    • Reflect on why the images exist, what messages they aim to convey, and how they persuade.

Practical outcomes

  • You’ll have a verifiable primary source and its metadata.
  • You’ll understand multiple contexts and ensure accurate representation of the era.
  • You’ll build a traceable citation path from secondary to primary sources.

Best practices and takeaways

  • Always trace primary sources referenced by secondary sources when possible.
  • Use multiple repositories (e.g., Smithsonian, LOC) to corroborate.
  • Record provenance details (creator, date, repository, accession numbers).
  • Document reasoning about similarities/differences between sources and their persuasive aims.

Quick reference checklist

  • [ ] Identify the secondary source and the primary source it cites
  • [ ] Note page numbers, captions, and dates from the secondary source
  • [ ] Attempt reverse image search to locate originals
  • [ ] Check reputable institutions (Smithsonian, LOC) for original artifacts
  • [ ] Narrow LOC results by division (Photos, Prints, Drawings)
  • [ ] Compare images and assess context and messaging
  • [ ] Record metadata and citation trail from secondary to primary

Numerical anchors for recall

  • Time period: 1840-1850
  • Page in textbook: 350