- Slave narratives and formerly enslaved people's firsthand accounts: These provide intimate insights into the daily experiences of enslaved people and offer valuable perspectives on the institution of slavery.
-Slave trade records and plantation: Documents provide quantitative data and contextual information on the business practices and economics of slavery, such as sale and purchase of enslaved individuals, ownership patterns, and labor conditions.
- Government records and legislation: Laws, court cases, and official correspondence can shed lights on the legal and political aspects of slavery, including the evolution of slave laws and resistance to the institution.
- Diaries, journals, and correspondence: Personal accounts and writings of slaveholders, abolitionists, travelers, and other individuals can offer insights into the attitudes, beliefs, and social dynamics related to slavery.
- Archaeological and material evidence: Artifacts found on former plantations, slave quarters, and related sites provide physical evidence of slave life, housing conditions, labor practices, and the material culture associated with slavery.
- Visual sources: Paintings, drawings, sketches, photographs, maps, and other visual materials can offer valuable insights into the visual representations and portrayals of slavery.
- Oral histories: Interviews and recollections passed down through generations can preserve oral traditions and stories that provide cultural context and perspectives on slavery.
It's important to note that when researching the nature of slavery in the United States, using multiple primary sources and triangulating information from various perspectives is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of this complex historical institution.