Template:Secondary source

Secondary sources, in the study of history, are those writings which were not penned contemporaneously with the events in question.

For example, if I read a history book and then use the information in that book as a source for writing a new history of the same events, I am referring to a secondary source.

If, however, I use writings by participants and contemporaries, people who have personal, first-hand knowledge of the events in question, I am using primary sources to write my history.