Primary vs Secondary Sources (And Why Most People Get This Wrong)
A primary source is a document or artifact created at or near the time of the event being studied. A secondary source interprets, analyzes, or summarizes primary sources after the fact. Confusing the two is the most common mistake in amateur research.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Dimension | Primary Source | Secondary Source |
|---|---|---|
| Created when? | At the time of the event | After the event (sometimes centuries later) |
| Created by whom? | Participant, witness, or contemporary | Historian, writer, or analyst |
| Examples | Newspaper, diary, deed, map, letter | Book, article, documentary, Wikipedia |
| Evidence value | Direct — tells you what happened | Interpretive — tells you what someone thinks happened |
| Can contain errors? | Yes — bias, limited perspective | Yes — misinterpretation, selective focus |
| Research role | Foundation of any claim | Starting point for finding primary sources |
The Common Mistake
Most amateur researchers treat secondary sources — treasure hunting books, website articles, TV documentaries — as if they were primary evidence. They read that "gold was buried near Johnson Creek in 1873" and accept it as fact without asking: what primary source does this claim rest on?
⚠️ The Chain of Error
A single misinterpretation in a secondary source gets copied into subsequent works. Each copy adds embellishment. Within a few decades, the "established legend" bears little resemblance to the original documentation — if original documentation ever existed.
The Professional Rule
Professional researchers follow a simple rule:
"Never cite a secondary source when the primary source is available."
Use secondary sources to find primary sources. Then go read the primary sources yourself.
Master Source Evaluation
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