Springy Answers

Finding primary sources can seem tricky, but it is pretty easy once you learn a few tips.

For most national newspapers, you can get printable articles through Historical Newspapers Online. 

Here are some tips on how to search the database:

• Think like a journalist. What words would they use?
• Use the vocabulary in use at the time. (e.g., Negroes instead of African American)
• Combine synonyms with OR to increase results. (e.g., conservatives OR right-wing)
• Use the asterisk (*) to get multiple endings of a word. (e.g., integrat* for integrate, integration, integrating, etc.)
• To get words closer together, use proximity operators. (See the database's help page for correct syntax.)
• Limit your search to "abstract" or "citation and abstract" (if available) to get more precise results.