Library Guides: The American Dream: Primary Sources: Statistics & Polls

Primary Sources

What is a primary source?

A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time you are researching.

Original Documents: diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records
Creative Works: poetry, drama, novels, music, art
Relics or Artifacts: pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

Search in the Discover@MU using these keywords:

charters, correspondence, diaries, early works, interviews, manuscripts, oratory, pamphlets, personal narratives, sources, speeches, letters, documents

Primary Sources

American Decades Primary Sources
Primary sources arranged in chronological order by date - use the drop down list on the left to pick a decade.

ProQuest Historical Newspapers: New York Times
Cover-to-cover digital reproductions of every issue (1851-2020). Full page-image and full-text searching.
Date Coverage: 1851-varies

Maximum Users: Unlimited

Truncation:
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Reader's Guide Retrospective 1890-1982
Contains comprehensive indexing of the most popular general-interest periodicals published in the United States and reflects the history of 20th century America.
Date Coverage: 1890-1982

Maximum Users: Unlimited

Truncation:
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Polls / Public Opinion

Gallup Polls
Public opinion polls on political, social, and economic issues, conducted by Gallup, Inc.
Roper iPoll
A unique, rich data source for US public opinion questions and answers, hosted by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University.

Statistics

Statistical Abstract of the United States

Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878-2012
Data.gov
Here you will find data, tools, and resources to conduct research, develop web and mobile applications, design data visualizations, and more.