Research Guides: History Honours Project: Finding Primary Sources for Your Honours Project

Library databases

In recent years, the Library has purchased many databases providing access to rich collections of primary sources. As a result, our researchers can now directly consult original documents, including historical newspapers like this one:

I have highlighted a selection below. To see all of our online primary source collections, click on the following link:

Complete list of Primary Source Databases at HKBU

New York Times (first-time activation)
Note: Our subscription allows you to access the New York Times website and related mobile device apps. First-time activation via the link above using the University Internet network is needed in order to create your personal access account (valid for one year and renewable). After creating your account, use it to login to nytimes.com and New York Times apps.

This renowned newspaper provides a global perspective on world affairs. Choose from English, Chinese, and Spanish editions.

Note: Please click " Ignore" button to access registration page if you use Chrome web browser.

Dates covered: 1851 - Current (please note, access to articles from 1923-1980 is limited to five articles per day per user)
Concurrent users: Unlimited
Provider: The New York Times Company
Full text: Yes
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: South China Morning Post (Historical Archive, 1903-2001)
This historical archive of Hong Kong's most well-known English-language newspaper provides researchers with online, easily-searchable coverage of politics, society and events in the territory.
Click here for User Guide

Dates covered: 1903 - 2000
Concurrent users: Unlimited
Provider: ProQuest
Full-text: Yes
Asia and the West: Diplomacy and Cultural Exchange
Features primary sources related to international relations between Asian countries and the West during the 19th century. Materials covered include government reports, diplomatic correspondence, periodicals, newspapers, treaties, trade agreements, NGO papers, and more. Most of the materials come from the national archives of the US and UK, with some items sourced from various church archives.
Dates covered: 1790 - 1949
Concurrent users: Unlimited
Provider: Cengage Gale
Full text: Yes
中國基本古籍庫 Database of Chinese Classic Ancient Books
收錄自先秦至民國（公元前11世紀至公元20世紀初）歷代典籍及所附重要版本，包括寫本、刻本、鈔本、稿本、批校本以及同期外國(朝鮮、日本)之寫本、刻本、鈔本。收書總數共1萬種、16萬餘卷，選用版本12,500個。收錄範圍涵蓋全部中國歷史與文化。古籍庫分為4個子庫 (哲科庫, 史地, 藝文及綜合庫) 、20個大類及100個細目。
A collection of over 10,000 ancient titles across all dynasties from pre-Qin period to the Republic of China (11th BC – early 20th century). Also contains original text images of one to two important versions of each classical work. Subjects cover philosophy, history, geography, art and culture.
Dates covered: 11th BC - Early 1900s
Concurrent users: 2 user limit
Provider: 北京愛如生數字化技術研究中心
Full-text: Yes
文淵閣四庫全書 Complete Library of the Four Imperial Repositories
《四庫全書》是清代乾隆年間官修的大規模圖書總匯，其匯集了從先秦到清代前期的歷代典籍共3,460多種, 分經、史、子、集四部。
To access文淵閣四庫全書3.2版 (1-user limit):
1. Click here to download and install the client program (for Windows systems only).
2. In your Programs folder, click on 「文淵閣四庫全書電子版」 - 「《文淵閣四庫全書電子版》網上版」
3. If you are on campus, login by clicking on 「IP登入」
4. If you are off-campus, you need to generate a single-use signature key. Click here for instructions.
  
  Commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor in the 18th Century, this collection covers all areas of Chinese academia from the pre-Qin period up to the Qing Dynasty.
  Dates covered: Pre-Qin to Qing Dynasty
  Concurrent users: 1
  Provider: 迪志文化出版有限公司
  Full-text: Yes
四部叢刊 Series of the Four Categories
《四部叢刊》是二十世紀初由著名學者、出版家張元濟先生匯集多種我國古籍經典纂輯而成。此叢書性質與《四部備要》相仿,但以其珍貴版本著稱。電子版除保有紙本的全部內容，並可進行檢索等功能。
Compiled during the early 20th century, this database is comprised of over 300 classical works. It is divided into: Classics, History, Philosophy, and Belles-lettres. This collection is similar to Four Essential Classics 《四部備要》, but is known for its high-quality and original manuscript printing versions. The electronic version allows easier navigation such as searching within text.
Dates covered: Various
Concurrent users: 10 user limit (shared with 四部叢刊+四部備要 Four Essential Classics)
Provider: 北京书同文数字化技术有限公司
Full-text: Yes
四部叢刊+四部備要 Four Essential Classics
《四部備要》匯集三百多種中國古籍經典，由中華書局于1936年彙編及發行。此叢書性質與《四部叢刊》相仿，但内容稍偏于實用，選取了較有代表性的校本、注本。電子版除保有紙本的全部內容，並可進行檢索等功能。
Compiled by Zhonghua Publishing House in 1936, Four Essential Classics is a collection of over 300 types of Chinese ancient text. It is similar to the Series of the Four Categories 《四部叢刊》, but is more focused on practical usability. The electronic version allows easier navigation such as searching within text.
Dates covered: Various
Concurrent users: 10 user limit (shared with 四部叢刊 Series of the Four Categories)
Provider: 北京书同文数字化技术有限公司
Full-text: Yes