Highlighted below are primary source databases available through Tulane University Libraries, as well as key open access resources. For specialized resources according to specific world regions, topics, chronologies, and material types, consult the Library Guides listed in the box at the bottom of the page.
The following are major primary source platforms/ vendor pages where you can access dozens of digital collections in one place.
Archives Unbound presents topically focused digital collections of historical documents, including government records, books, manuscripts, correspondence, pamphlets, periodicals, and ephemera. Tulane provides access to 67 primary source collections, with a strong focus on U.S. foreign relations, European colonialism and history, the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, women's history, southern history, and Holocaust.
Tulane University Libraries provides access to thousands of historical newspaper titles from the U.S. and around the globe. In addition, some sites, like the Library of Congress and Google News, make historic press available for free. Below are the most important aggregators and and multi-source platforms to discover historical newspapers. For a more extensive list of individual databases, see the News & Newspapers Library Guide.
An advanced search page for access to all of the ProQuest News databases—both historical and current—available through Tulane University Libraries. Encompasses the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Latin American Newsstream, Le Monde, Historical Black newspapers, Jewish American press, and more.
The databases listed below are particularly helpful for discovering books printed from the inception of the European moveable-type press (late 15th century) to the early 20th century. For old books published in countries outside the U.S., check that country's national library website.
The primary source databases listed above are the most important and wide-reaching platforms available through Tulane University Libraries. For listings of primary source databases relating to specific regions, themes, and material types, explore these library guides:
