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Diaries
Diaries are extraordinary sources for studying past events. These primary sources reveal the innermost thoughts of the person writing in the diary. Opinions about religion, politics, community activities, national events, families, and friends can be found in the pages of a diary. The State Historical Society of Missouri has a variety of diaries ranging from descriptions of the mudane, "day to day" weather reports and activities of ordianary people to details of wars from soldiers.
Memoirs and Reminiscences
These kinds of sources are similar to diaries. They usually relate intimate aspects and accomplishments of the author's life. But unlike diaries that are written in daily, memoirs are generally wrote later in life, long after historical events have happened. Some extra caution should be taken with the evidence found in memoirs and reminiscences, because the time that elapsed from when the acutal event took place and when it was written about will often diminish the writer's memory; thus making the elements of truth and fiction less distinct. These sources, nonetheless, are valuble for understanding the past.
Ellie Fike Diaries, 1879-1891 (C2216)
Diary entry for July 4, 1884, near Knob Noster, MO
 
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