A primary source is a first hand account, report, or original data on or about an event. These sources are often created at or near the time of event you are studying. Examples may include: Census records, Diaries, Photographs, Newspapers, Letters, and Speeches.
Photo by George G. Bain, courtesy of the Library of Congress
Archival and historical films including recordings of historic speeches and events.
Census, death, birth, and marriage records are all primary source materials.