This site presents extensive lists of texts, both primary and secondary, in English and in Chinese. Note in particular the sections
Other Sources for the Ming Dynasty
Qing Dynasty sections.
To find additional primary sources, historical studies in books and journal articles will often offer the best recommendations. Check footnotes and bibliographies for references to material written in the early modern period.
Some primary sources will be listed in Tripod and WorldCat under a variety of subject terms including "sources" and "early works to 1800"
Combine one of these terms with a time period, such as ming or "17th century," or with the geographic area or national group ("china" "portuguese") and "history."
Example: china and early works to 1800 [subject] and 1600-1699 [publication date]
Results: 48 titles including
Memoirs and observations topographical, physical, mathematical, mechanical, natural, civil, and ecclesiastical
Made in a late journey through the empire of China, and published in several letters. Particularly upon the Chinese pottery and varnishing; the silk and other manufactures; the pearl fishing; the history of plants and animals; with a description of their cities and publick works; number of people, their language, manners and commerce; their habits, oeconomy, and government. The philosophy of Confucius. The state of Christianity, and many other curious and useful remarks.
By Louis Le Comte Jesuit, confessor to the Dutchess of Burgundy, one of the royal mathematicians, and lately missionary in the eastern countries. Translated from the Paris edition, and illustrated with figures
Published: London : printed for Benjamin Tooke at the Middle Temple Gate in Fleetstreet, 1698. The second edition very much corrected, with the addition of a map of China, and a table.