By Taivan Acer
Historical letters are an excellent source for first-hand testimonies and information from times long past. Letters are, by nature, primary sources, even if the original letter itself cannot be accessed. For those who can obtain a digital copy, facsimile or similar document, then this can be used as a primary source for research.
What Is a Primary Source?
A primary source is an original document or artifact. For historical researchers, these documents must come from the time period that is being studied. For example, dresses from the 1910’s would be primary sources of information as historical artifacts. Historical letters would serve as primary sources, since they were the original documents from that time period.
To determine if a historical letter is a primary source, it’s necessary to determine if there are references, citations or footnotes. If so, then the letter is likely not a primary source, though there may be exceptions.
Why Is a Letter a Primary Source?
It makes sense to wonder why a letter would be a primary source when it is subject to hearsay. The main reason is because letters are legally admissible written records that were written from the standpoint of an original source at the time of production. The person who wrote the letter was a direct witness or stating their own knowledge of the time they were in.
While the source of the letter may be secondary, such as getting it from a grandchild or greatgrandchild of the person who wrote it, the letter itself is a primary source.
Historical letters are essential in legal cases handling issues long past. They’re admissible because they are evidence of discussions that took place, conversations between people and provide other essential content. As a written document, a historical letter is considered a solid piece of evidence.
What About Letters from a Later Date?
Sometimes, people wait to write about things that have happened to or around them. Regardless of the date, if the letter was written by a person with first-hand experience, it should still be considered a primary source for information. Remember that the letter, even if it was written later, is still important for informing people today about the world the author was living in at the time the document was created. Additionally, these letters inform readers about what the author was like and their personality, their preferences and their general knowledge.
Letters and Their Importance to Historians
Letters have great importance to historians, because they serve as a backbone when rebuilding the history of a person or group of people in the past. Combining multiple historical letters, it’s possible to obtain evidence of a time when a major event occurred, a person discovered something important or interesting things were occurring. Historical letters give all readers a look into the past that would otherwise be forgotten.
Historical letters are a primary source as hand-written records of events. Whether the letter is from World War I or from an ancient time, it can provide important insight into what happened in the past.
