Clarifying my position on history.
I learn it from history books.
They are written by historians subject to intense peer review to do the research to support their findings.

On the famine, I showed that historians dispute the issue of blame.
Jim denied that fact, but it is a fact.
Sorry Jim.

On WW1 I showed that, for the last twenty years, a consensus had emerged about certain issues.

I listen with respect to people who believe the historians are all wrong, but I think they know rather more about it.

Al, a statement from a participant is a primary source.
There are many thousands documented and used in historical research.
The findings are now in the history books.