Ancestry Source of the Source question

By Hendrickson on Sat, 06/13/2020 - 11:44

Forums

Good afternoon,

I am unsure about the source of the source on this one. Ancestry provides both the microfilm number the record group. I don't think I've seen an example where both are used and am unsure if both are needed and if so in what order. Appreciate your help with this one.

“Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1861-1904,” database, Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 June 2020), card of headstone contract for Francis Anderson, dated 30 April 1962, and supplied by Vermont Marble Co; Card Records of Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, ca. 1879-ca. 1903, National Archives microfilm publication M1845, roll 1; Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, record group 92.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/1195/MIUSA1879_113692-00297

 

In addition - I went to NARA and looked up the film number and discovered that the roll I need to look at is roll 1. This is not something Ancestry provided, so I added that in.

 

Submitted byEEon Sat, 06/13/2020 - 21:14

Hi, Hendrickson, when you are citing the source or your source, it's usually wise to include whatever your source includes. EE would make just a couple of tweaks:

“Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1861-1904,” database with images, Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 June 2020), imaged card of headstone contract for Francis Anderson, dated 30 April 1962, and supplied by Vermont Marble Co; citing Card Records of Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, ca. 1879-ca. 1903, National Archives microfilm publication M1845, 22 rolls, roll 1; Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, record group 92; NA's online card catalog suggests that this record is on roll 1.

The two key points here are these:

1. The word "citing" should introduce the second layer of the citation so that readers understand what that layer represents.

2. Ancestry's citation tells us that there are 22 rolls in the microfilm publication. However, Ancestry does not tell us which roll. If you do outside work to determine the likely roll, then don't insert that information into Ancestry's source-of-the-source data. Instead, add a note to explain what you did and where you think it should be.