Special Collections: Primary and Secondary sources

Our archives largely contain Primary Source material, examples of which include personal papers, photographs and oral history. These first-hand or contemporary accounts of an event or subject can provide a more representative view of history, through the written or spoken voice of those who lived it and, as a result, are a valuable resource for academic study and personal research.   

For students who choose to use primary sources in their work, this will show tutors they have engaged more thoroughly with a topic; exploring the wider context to further understand the impact on related individuals or community groups.

For example, in the letter display above, from December 1938, J. Canon Ring writes that he cannot attend an upcoming meeting of the Anti-Partition League [of Ireland] but hopes it will be a success. However, he does briefly express his thoughts on Ireland in the letter, as follows … 

“I have hope to live to see that Partition-blot wiped off the reputation of England. It is entirely England’s trick to divide and keep under subjection Ireland. But the plot has miscarried and the thing is not paying as creditable. That is why I hope to see its termination.” 

The Anti-Partition of Ireland League (AIB/APL) was founded in London in 1938 with the aim of educating the British public on what they described as 'the iniquity of Partition in Ireland and the necessity for restoring the Six Counties to the rest of Ireland'. Their membership included those involved in other Irish organisations, such as the Gaelic League, Gaelic Athletic Association, and London-Irish Rugby Club, as well as priests, nurses, journalists, academics and others from the Irish diaspora. They labelled themselves as non-sectarian and independent of any political party, as well as open to both British and Irish individuals interested. 

The League's activities appear to have been suspended with the announcement of Britain entering World War Two. Prior to that, it had already suffered from financial difficulties and resignations, particularly after the beginning of an IRA bombing campaign in Britain. In 1945, the Irish Anti Partition League (IAPL) was founded in Northern Ireland. These records do not mention this later organisation, or provide evidence of any links between the groups. 

What is a secondary source?

A secondary source is a work that uses original material, like a primary source, to analyse and interpret information. Visual imagery, data or quotations from a primary source will often be included within a secondary source to provide commentary, evaluation and opinions by its author, to persuade the reader of their argument.

In our reference library we hold the following secondary sources:

- periodicals and journals
- books 
- reviews, essays on and criticisms of creative works, such as art, literature and music
- newspaper articles