Primary Sources Defined
A primary source is usually a record made at the time of an event by participants or by firsthand observers. Examples include contemporary newspaper or magazine accounts, government reports, photographs, and manuscripts. For more information on primary sources, see this guide.
For a guide on the history of the University of Oklahoma, see this link.
Newspapers and Magazines
Many Oklahoma cities, towns, and counties have daily or weekly newspapers. There are also many tribal newspapers published throughout Oklahoma. These resources may be found in a variety of places, both inside and outside the university.
For Oklahoma newspapers, check the OHS (Oklahoma Historical Society) Research Center's Newspaper Catalog. Some of these newspapers are available online through the Gateway to Oklahoma History while others are available on-site at the OHS Research Center.
See this link from the Local Catalog for a list of tribal newspapers at OU. There are also tribal newspapers available on microfilm in these collections, American Indian Periodicals from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, American Indian Periodicals in the Princeton University Library, and Contemporary Newspapers of the North American Indian.
See this link from the Local Catalog for a list of Oklahoma newspapers at OU. Also see this page for a list of newspapers on microfilm at the OU Libraries, including some Oklahoma newspapers.
Some key titles are listed here:
- American Indian Newspapers (1828-2016; Adam Matthew)Includes several Oklahoma newspapers.
- Black Dispatch (microfilm; 1917-1981)An African-American newspaper out of Oklahoma City. Available on microfilm. Click title then request via Sooner Xpress. 1917-1929, 1950-1959 available at Gateway to Oklahoma History.
- Ethnic NewswatchNewspapers, magazines, and periodicals of the ethnic, minority and native press, 1960-present. Includes some Oklahoma newspapers.
- Gateway to Oklahoma HistoryDigital Oklahoma newspapers (and more) dating from the 1850s to the 1920s. Includes African American newspapers.
- Gayly Oklahoman(Also in paper, issues missing:1983-1992; 2002-2006, Bizzell, 2nd floor: HQ 75 .G39.) Newspaper for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in OKC and Tulsa. See also http://www.gayly.com/.
- Newspaper Archive (1607-2023)A Metropolitan Library (OKC public) database. Sign up for a library card if you don't have one. Search tens of millions of U.S. and international newspapers whose coverage goes back more than 400 years.
- Newspapers.com Library Edition (1700s-2000s; Ancestry.com via Proquest)A Metropolitan Library (OKC public) database. Sign up for a library card if you don't have one. Full runs and portions of runs of well-known, regional and state titles to small local newspapers in the United States and other countries. Please note that the library edition does not have all newspapers that the personal subscription includes.
- Norman Transcript (microfilm; 1889-2020)Norman, Oklahoma newspaper on microfilm on the 4th floor of Bizzell, outside the former Government Documents Department.
- Oklahoma City Times (1888-1984)In 1916, the Oklahoma City Times became an evening supplement to the Daily Oklahoman. In 1984, it was incorporated into the Oklahoman and ceased publication.
- Oklahoma Daily (microfilm, 1911-2018)University of Oklahoma student newspaper. Microfilm, 4th floor of Bizzell outside Government Documents Department. The paper's website is http://www.oudaily.com/
For digital versions of all OU student papers see University of Oklahoma Student Newspapers (1905-2017) And the Oklahoma Daily (1916-2017) - Oklahoman Archives (The Oklahoman, formerly The Daily Oklahoman, 1901-March 2022)—Update: as of 8-12-23, the database is still available. Due to the large size of the archive, searches may need to be limited with a date range in order to return results.
Because Gannett found this database unprofitable, beginning February 3rd, 2022, the full Oklahoman Archives will no longer be available. Access to 1981-present. For other ways to access online content see this blog post. - Oklahoma Newspapers ListScroll all the way to the bottom of this page for a list of digitized newspapers from various sources such as libraries and Google. Dates vary.
- Oklahoma TodayOnline and F 691 .O5, Bizzell and Western History Collections
This magazine, which began publication in the 1950s, highlights various aspects of Oklahoma history and tourism. - The O’CollegianOklahoma State's student newspaper. Digital from 1895 to 2008.
- Sooner MagazineRich source of University history. All issues available digitally from first issue in 1928 to the present.
- Tulsa World (and title variants)1906-2018 on microfilm. 4th floor East, outside former Government Documents Department. Online: 1989-present.
Digital Collections from the OU Western History Collections
The Western History Collections' Digital Collections feature oral histories and Native American manuscripts, rich primary resources highlighting many aspects of Oklahoma history.
- Doris Duke CollectionOral history interviews with American Indians in Oklahoma in the 1960s. These are keyword searchable, downloadable PDF documents available through this site. To hear the original tapes, visit the Western History Collections (Monnet Hall room 300).
- Indian Pioneer PapersOral history interviews with American Indians and pioneers in Oklahoma. This was a WPA project in the 1930s. These are keyword searchable, downloadable PDF documents.
- Native American ManuscriptsListings are broken down by tribe and nation. To browse within the listings of an entire tribe, click "Browse" beside the tribe's name and then enter search terms. These are keyword searchable, downloadable PDF documents.
- Native American Manuscripts Finding AidsThese are the contents lists for manuscripts collections at the Western History Collections related to Native Americans. Check the Native American Manuscripts above to see if a collection is digitized. If it is not, visit the Western History Collections (Monnet Hall room 300) to view the collection.
Photographs
Photographs are a rich primary source. They can help make historical events more realistic by providing images of the who, what, when, and where of history.
The Western History Collections has physical photograph guide books on many subjects, including Oklahoma land runs, dust storms, cowboys, and the settlement of Oklahoma. These physical resources are available in the Western History Collections reading room (Monnet Hall room 300).
Digital photograph resources are listed below.
- Western History Collections Photographic ArchivesThe Western History Collections Photographic Archives gallery includes thumbnail images of a selection of images from the Archives. You may view images by collection or switch to the Subject List and browse for images that way. Each image has a name and number beneath it. Bring this name and number to the Western History Collections to view the original image.
- OHS Research Center Photo ArchivesThe OHS Research Center Photo Archives, searchable online and available physically in Oklahoma City, is another rich resource for Oklahoma-related photographs.
- Digital Prairie Photo CollectionsThe Oklahoma Department of Libraries' Digital Prairie features images of Oklahoma Postcards and collections related to the Tulsa Race Riot, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, Oklahoma Authors, and other topics.
- Library of Congress Prints & PhotographsThe Library of Congress has a large photograph collection. The Farm Security Administration images in particular highlight Oklahoma during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.
Manuscripts from the OU Western History Collections
Manuscripts are typically primary resources. Manuscript collections can include:
- diaries
- journals
- business records
- personal or business correspondence
- unpublished manuscripts (books, articles, etc.)
- family records
- tribal records
There are several ways to locate manuscript collections related to Oklahoma history:
- Finding aids for the manuscript collections are in ArchivesSpace. It is possible to search for specific collections, or to enter a keyword in the search box. To search:
- Enter keyword in the search box
- The list of results will include names of collections as well as subject terms;
- It will be most useful to limit the results by collection. Under "Additional Filters," select "Collection" under "Type."
- Click on a collection title to see the scope and inventory of the collection.
- Click on "Print" to generate an easily-readable PDF finding aid.
- Once you determine which collection materials you need, you will need to provide a collection name and box number.
- Search the Local Catalog.
- Enter the search term in the first box.
- Enter "Collection" in the second search box.
- Select "Archives" from the Material Type drop down menu
- Click the Search button.
- Under "Tweak my results" use the "Limit to" facet to choose "Physical copies available in the Library."
- To Narrow the results to Western History, scroll down to the "Collection" facet and choose "Western History Collections."
- Click on the title to view a summary of the collections' content.
- Also see the individual finding aids in PDF format.
- Most manuscript collections are described in the Guide to Manuscripts in the Western History Collections of the University of Oklahoma (PDF).
- Visit the Western History Collections (Monnet Hall room 300) and use printed guides.
When you find a collection that fits your topic visit the Western History Collections to see the documents.
Oral History and Interviews
- Doris Duke American Indian Oral History CollectionThe Doris Duke Collection of American Indian Oral History provides access to typescripts of interviews (1967 -1972) conducted with hundreds of Native Americans in Oklahoma regarding the histories and cultures of their respective nations and tribes.
The typescripts are available online. The audio cassette tapes are available to listen to in the Western History Collections reading room, Monnet Hall room 300. - Indian-Pioneer PapersThe Indian-Pioneer Papers consists of typescripts of interviews done with Native Americans and with non-Native early settlers to Oklahoma. The interviews were done as a project of the Works Progress Administration during the late 1930s and are about the settlement of Oklahoma and Indian territories and early statehood.
- Voices of OklahomaVoices of Oklahoma.com is a privately funded site dedicated to the preservation of the oral history of Oklahoma. Voices and stories of famous Oklahomans and ordinary citizens are captured forever in their own words. Oil and gas, ranching, politics, education and more are all visited in these far-ranging interviews.
Government Documents
Government documents are any documents published by the government, both at the federal and state level. Government documents are found in many places, but a good place to start finding Oklahoma government material is this guide to Oklahoma Resources.
The Oklahoma Department of Libraries features the Oklahoma Digital Prairie. It contains digitized government documents and related collections. Topics include the Red River Compact, almanacs, the Tulsa Race Massacre, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, and Oklahoma Authors.
Also see OU Law Library guides related to Oklahoma listed below, under Other Resources.
For information on searching the census, see FamilySearch in Family History Resources below.
Family History Resources
Family history resources can come in many forms. Some will be available through the university and others available through outside organizations.
The Western History Collections Manuscript Collections feature many family collections, so check our printed guide to see if yours is included. Also see ArchivesSpace and this page with finding aids to the Collections. (All described above in this box.)
Below are links to other online resources available through area organizations.
- This is a bit like the free version of Ancestry.com (which is only available in-house at the Norman Public Library branch of Pioneer Library System, unless you have your own personal subscription.) Although it is free, you must create an account first.
- Use the "search records" function to search resources such as the United States Census.
- U.S. Census Resources at OHSThe OHS Research Center features several online research aids. These include 1933 Unemployment Relief records, the 1890 Oklahoma Territory Census records, and other resources available onsite.
- Genealogy Resources through Pioneer Library System (PLS)Several genealogy resources are available online through PLS as long as you have a library card, which you are eligible for if you attend OU. Ancestry.com must be used onsite, but many other resources are available offsite. Norman Public Library is just up the street from campus, at the corner of Webster and Gray.
Other Resources
- Caroline Henderson Digital CollectionPrimarily documents the daily activities and difficulties of the Henderson family and life in the Oklahoma panhandle, including the trials of the Dust Bowl.
- Guide to Oklahoma Statutes (from the OU Law Library)This guide explains how to access and research Oklahoma statutes in print and on OSCN.net
- Indian Claims Insight (Proquest)Allows researchers to understand and analyze Native American migration and forced resettlement throughout U.S. history, U.S. Government Indian removal policies, and subsequent actions to address Native American claims against the U.S. Government. Includes congressional publications, treaties, maps, and docket materials for all Indian Claims Commission cases, as well as cases that preceded and followed the existence of the commission.
- Native American Law Research (from the OU Law Library)Print and Online Resources for Federal Indian Law and Tribal Law
- Oklahoma: A Guide to the Sooner StateWPA guide to Oklahoma, published in 1941.
- Oklahoma Court Decisions/State Cases (from the OU Law Library)This guide explains how to access Oklahoma court decisions in print and on OSCN.net
- Oklahoma Historical Society "Oklahoma Resources"Links to Oklahoma-related resources.
- Oklahoma Legislative History (from the OU Law Library)This guide describes how a bill becomes a law in Oklahoma, and how to track the background (history) of a specific law from its inception as an introduced bill.
- Sanborn Maps (Oklahoma)Provides access to detailed maps of Oklahoma cities from late 1800s to the mid 1900s. View street names, street and sidewalk widths, property boundaries, building use and physical features, house and block numbers, pipelines, railroads, wells and dumps. Special features include the ability to manipulate the maps, magnify and zoom in on specific sections, and layer maps from different years. Dates vary by city.