Kate,

Personally I would consider the image of the document a primary source if
it is the information contained in that document that is important.  A
translation of that document would be a secondary source because
information in the document has been filtered and once removed from the
original.  If, however, the researcher is looking beyond the contents of a
document to the physical form then the image is secondary.  Footnote would
contain would contain URL and documents physical location with further note
that Web image was used.
Just my thoughts

.At 12:40 PM 09/10/2003, you wrote:
>This is a question my education coordinator asked that I pose to the group:
>
>With more and more documents/photographs/images of objects from a museum
>collection posted to the web, students have begun to cite them as primary
>sources in their research.  For example, a student may use a letter written
>by an historic person and found on a web-site - an image of the letter is
>there as well as a full transcription.  Since it is only a digital copy and
>not the original, would it still be considered a primary source?  What if
>only a transcription was provided, and not the image?   If you have some
>insight into this, or just a good opinion, please respond to Brian Banton at
>[log in to unmask]  Thanks!
>
>Kate Higgins
>Curator
>Pejepscot Historical Society
>159 Park Row
>Brunswick, ME 04011
>207-729-6606
>207-729-6012 (fax)
>
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