The authors of this article have examined in detail the options for the use of the Russian-language newspapers and magazines published in the Russian Empire in the 18th century and in the first decades of the 19th century as an important and informative source on the early history of North America (the USA). For this purpose, the article has examined the work of generations of soviet and modern Russian researches who covered, for several decades and with different extent of scrutiny, the most significant processes and events in the political, economic, social, military, religious and cultural life of the British North America, later the USA. Considerable attention has been paid to the papers of Soviet (Russian) authors who wrote about the development of liberation trends and movements in this region and tracked the course of the revolutionary war for freedom and independence of the British colonies in North America. The article also characterizes the activities of the two major centers of American studies that were established during the years of soviet power in Moscow and Leningrad (St. Petersburg); highlights the contribution of several generations of historians and most active scientists in expanding the source base of historical research, including their efforts to use the Russian periodical press as sources of information. In conclusion the authors have outlined the prospects and directions of historical research that would beneficially use the materials of the Russian periodical press for more comprehensive and in-depth studies and variable interpretations of the early history of America.