A primary source (also called original source) is an information-bearing document, recording, artifact, or other item that was created or produced during the time under study. It is an original source and is distinguished from a secondary source, which cite, comment on, interpret, or incorporate primary source material. Examples of primary sources include original autobiographies, diaries, film footage, speeches, letters, minutes, e-mail, photographs, artwork, relics, jewelry, paintings, etc.
Accessible Archives - Accessible Archives is a digital collection of American newspapers, magazines, and other primary source materials mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries. Content includes Civil War era newspapers and memoirs, African American newspapers, the history of women's suffrage, regimental histories, county histories, and more.
ArchiveGrid - ArchiveGrid is an online repository of archival institutions. It does not provide access to documents; rather, it helps identify institutions (archives, libraries, museums, historical societies) that hold archival material and the nature of the resources they preserve.
City Data.com: New York State -- Packed with statistics, many in graphical form, plus photos and maps, on cities, towns, and villages in New York State.
Clinton Historical Society -- Includes archival photographs, information about Clinton's history and more.
Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York -- French and Dutch manuscripts, documents relating to the history of the towns along the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, and colonial settlements on Long Island.
ePodunk: Oneida County, New York -- A lot of statistical information on population, crime, the economy, education and the environment as well as maps, history, genealogy, newspapers, businesses and profiles for each community in the county.
New York Heritage -- New York Heritage is a research portal for students, educators, historians, genealogists, and anyone else who is interested in learning more about the people, places and institutions of New York State. The site provides free access to more than 160 distinct digital collections, totalling hundreds of thousands of items.
New York's Oldest Canal -- From the New York State Museum, with links to research resources including maps and manuscripts.
New York Slavery Records Index -- A searchable compilation of records that identify individual enslaved persons and their owners, beginning as early as 1525 and ending during the Civil War.
Old Fulton NY Post Cards -- Don't let the name of this site fool you! It's a fabulous primary source site filled with old, historical newspapers scanned in from all over New York State. Searchable, printable, and saveable as PDF files.
Penny Postcards from New York -- A collection of old postcards arranged by region, county and place. Click on Home to see postcards from other states.
State Comptroller -- All town and village justice courts in the State of New York are required to report their disposition information and send all receipts to the Justice Court Fund on a monthly basis. These courts process a broad range of criminal and civil cases. Among the common types of cases are vehicle and traffic violations, family offenses and small claims.
Utica College, Center for Historical Research -- The Center for Historical Research aims to collect and curate a digital archive of the Mohawk Valley's diverse history.