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A Fold3 search revealed my ancestor applied for a War of 1812 Bounty Land Warrant (BLW). I electronically requested, and received (via a temporary online link), the BLW Application file from NARA. File documents stated the application was “suspended” and appealed. No appeal results or BLW approval was found in the file.
I’m stumped on creating a citation for Fold3’s index finding and the NARA file. I have gone around this 1000-acre corn maze numerous times. Pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I’ve read previous posts and researched the Fourth Edition of Evidence Explained.
1. Correctly citing Fold3’s source of the source index finding is perplexing. Fold3’s “Content Source” is “The National Archives”. It seems the content for the index came from NARA but it isn’t clear who compiled the index for Fold3. It was published on Fold3 so perhaps they compiled it? None of Fold3 reference descriptions match a specific NARA file that I can locate.
Below is the Fold3 link to the index, a snippet of the index finding, and my first reference citation.
“US, Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Index, 1812-1855,” database, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/publication/918/us-bounty-land-warrant-applications-index-1812-1855: accessed 16 August 2024), search name “John Carpenter,” search place “Massachusetts”; citing “The National Archives” as “Content Source.” Note: See the National Archives Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov/id/567388), “Bounty Land Warrant Applications Files, ca. 1800-ca. 1900,” Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C.
2. NARA sent the BLW application file via a temporary electronic link. There was no citation included so I requested it. Below is the citation NARA sent:
John Carpenter
Captain Ripley's company, Colonel Ryerson's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia
Sergeant
RG. 15 Records of Veterans Administrations
National Archives Building
Washington, D.C.
However, the first page of the BLW file contains a document with “Can No.” and “Bundle No.” This wasn’t included in the sent citation. I didn’t include these in my citation because records can be moved?
For the entire file citation, I referenced template 8 and Evidence Explained, p. 499.
John Carpenter (Sgt., Capt. Ripley's Co., Col. Ryerson's Regiment, Mass. Militia, War of 1812), Bounty Land Warrant application file 55-160-Wt. 50711; Record Group 15: Records of Veterans Administration; National Archives, Washington, D C. Note: Digital images were received from National Archives and Records Administration via a temporary online link.
Thank you for any advice on escaping this corn maze!
Chickadee22, you have…
Chickadee22, you have handled both situations well.
About Fold3, you ask:
1. Correctly citing Fold3’s source of the source index finding is perplexing. Fold3’s “Content Source” is “The National Archives”. It seems the content for the index came from NARA but it isn’t clear who compiled the index for Fold3. It was published on Fold3 so perhaps they compiled it? None of Fold3 reference descriptions match a specific NARA file that I can locate.
To facilitate the discussion, I’m posting here an image of the page to which you linked:
Yes, the “Index Record" (the title that Fold3 gives to this page), is a Fold3 creation. Fold3 created the index/database. Its algorithm created this “Index Record” (an abstract). So that is what you would cite.
Your citation is this:
“US, Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Index, 1812-1855,” database, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/publication/918/us-bounty-land-warrant-applications-index-1812-1855: accessed 16 August 2024), search name “John Carpenter,” search place “Massachusetts”; citing “The National Archives” as “Content Source.” Note: See the National Archives Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov/id/567388), “Bounty Land Warrant Applications Files, ca. 1800-ca. 1900,” Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C.
Or you might cite the "Index Record" itself as
“US, Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Index, 1812-1855,” database, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/record/641204372/john-carpenter-sergeant-us-bounty-land-warrant-applications-index-1812-1855 : accessed 16 August 2024), “Index Record” for “John Carpenter (Sergeant),” 1812, Massachusetts; citing “The National Archives” as “Content Source.” Note: See the National Archives Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov/id/567388), “Bounty Land Warrant Applications Files, ca. 1800-ca. 1900,” which attributes these files to Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C.
Note that EE adds a space between the URL and the colon, so that the colon will not be picked up as part of the URL and thereby make it unworkable. Also, EE would italicize the name of the NARA website. The added verbiage to your explanatory note would clarify that the website guide called "Bounty Land Warrant Applications Files ca. 1800-ca. 1900" is not, itself, archived within RG15.
For the file that was transmitted via a temporary Internet link, your citation is well-crafted.
Dear EE, Thank you! I very…
Dear EE,
Thank you! I very much appreciate the guidance regarding the Fold3 index, source of the source, and the tweaks. I like your example of inserting the specific “Index Record” URL for John Carpenter, rather than the URL to the index search page. The corn maze is shrinking, and the exit is in sight.
Since my question was submitted on the Forum, a very helpful NARA archivist advised that the BLW application by Carpenter had been approved! I then found the Military Warrant Land Patent by searching Bureau of Land Management, “Land Patents” and referenced Evidence Explained, pp. 497-498, for the citation.
Thanks again.
Wonderful news! Thanks for…
Wonderful news! Thanks for sharing.