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History of Gender and Sexuality: Global Approaches

Searching Omni for Primary Sources

Queen's Library has a large collection of reprinted or microfilmed primary source materials, including the collected writings of historical figures, government documents, diaries, collections of speeches, etc. 

You can find primary sources in Omni by doing a keyword or subject search. One approach is to combine a keyword for your topic with a subject heading for a material type (see list at right).

Use the Advanced Search function in Omni. 

In one box, enter some keywords on your topic.  In the second box, type one of the official subject headings (you may have to try a few)

Find relevant items and note the subject headings assigned to the record and then search the subject headings with the specific subject terms that identify materials as primary sources. For example

Suggested Subject Headings

Use the same subject headings you use to locate secondary resources, e.g. books, to locate primary ones by adding or looking for one of the special subject terms to your search. For example:

Sex customs--United States--History--Sources.

Women--Germany--Legal status, laws, etc.--History--Sources.

Sex role--United States--History--19th century--Sources.

Men--History--Sources

Masculinity--History--Sources

Sex differences (Psychology)--Great Britain--History--19th century--Sources.

Marriage--History--To 1500--Sources.

Marriage law--England--London--History--Sources.

Marriage customs and rites--New England--History--Sources.

Family--England--History--19th century--Sources.

England--Social life and customs--1066-1485--Sources.

Women--Europe--History--Sources

Primary Source Subject headings

  • correspondence
  • diaries
  • early works to 1800
  • interviews
  • pamphlets
  • periodicals
  • personal narratives
  • sources
  • oral histories
  • wills
  • probate records
  • sermons

Other terms to consider are: papers, journals, documents.

Historical Figures

Materials written by a person (or an organization) are considered primary sources for research on that person. Search Omni for a historical person's name, and then click on their name to find everything they have written.

Select Advanced Search.

Author/Creator  stopes marie