One of the first things you might consider when looking for primary sources for your research is what kinds of things are common to the time. What types of communication, documentation and material culture were produced in the mid-nineteenth century and by the people/events you are interested in? A little background knowledge and a little imagination can start you off on the path by using specific search systems and keywords.
Common Search Terms & Keywords
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Photography was a revolutionary new medium in the Civil War era. Understanding the history of the medium and types of photography available can give context on their purpose, who it was available to, and more.
Maps and Mapmakers of the Civil War by 
The Routledge Atlas of African American History by Subscription resources for members of the Cal State LA community only.
Contains the full text of early African American poems, from the first recorded poem by an African American (Lucy Terry's 'Bars Fights', c.1746) to the major poets of the nineteenth century, including Paul Laurence Dunbar and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.
High-quality images of historical clothing, non-scholarly articles, eBooks, and encyclopedia articles.
Historical documents and other primary sources focusing on the work of African Americans to abolish slavery in the United States prior to and during the Civil War (1830-1865).
Plays written by Black playwrights from the mid-1800s to the present in North America, English-speaking Africa, the Caribbean, and other African diaspora countries. More than 40 percent of the collection consists of previously unpublished plays.
Historical non-fiction writings by notable Black American leaders—teachers, artists, politicians, religious leaders, athletes, war veterans, entertainers, and other figures—covering 250 years of history.
Historical documents and other primary sources including personal writings of women of the 1700s-1900s from around the U.S., drawn from the collections of the American Antiquarian Society. The letters and diaries reveal, in each woman’s own handwriting, the details of the authors’ daily lives, their activities and concerns, and their attitudes towards the people and world around them.
Books are an excellent place to find reprints and transcriptions of original documents and images. You can use Keywords to search for books, or the Subject Heading for primary sources "Sources" by changing the drop down from "Any Field" to "Subjects."
