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I'm having trouble crafting a citation for an online image of a Soundex index card for naturalization records. I realize that I should try to acquire the actual naturalization paperwork, but until I can afford to order it, I'd like to simply cite the online image which contains some good information, including my ancestor's name, address, country of allegiance, date of naturalization, and witness's name and address.
Here is the link to the actual image at FamilySearch I'd like to create a citation for. I've also uploaded an image below.
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-20825-109568-57?cc=1838804
I found this image on both FamilySearch and Ancestry.com and each offer a citation for their index, but neither really tell me where this image comes from.
FamilySearch citation:
"Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-20825-109568-57?cc=1838804 : accessed 13 May 2015), G-355 Oscar to G-420 > image 1655 of 6490; citing NARA microfilm publication M1285 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
Ancestry offers this citation:
National Archives Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950 (M1285); Microfilm Serial: M1285; Microfilm Roll: 64.
In Evidence Explained, it is made clear that there are distinct ways to cite both an online index and an online image. When reading these citations above, I don't think they are citing the image of the index card, but I'm not sure. I've looked through the EE, and I'm just not finding a sample of citing this image. At this point, I'm just confused. I don't know where this actual Soundex index card exists (NARA, Cook County, Illinois, or elsewhere) and I'm unsure of what a citation would look like. Both providers don't really offer me any help (that's I can determine) on where this card actually exists.
In EE Chapter 8, I've located the "Naturalization - Local" section and I'm looking at the examples provided, but they appear to be citing the actual naturalization paperwork, and not an index card to those papers.
Can anyone offer a citation example of this online image?
Hello dpslager,
Hello dpslager,
If you Google "NARA microfilm publication M1285" the first link is to a PDF, http://tinyurl.com/n8qbpqn . The PDF will explain what this index is and how it was created. It will also give you the specific roll number for your image.
As for your citation example I would use something like.
"Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1850," entry for James H Gawley, digital image, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 15 May 2015); citing NARA publication M1285, roll 64.
In my research notes or the body of the text I would write the certificate number and court where the record was available.
Ann
In the citation I forgot to
In the citation I forgot to put FamilySearch in italics. Ann
Thanks, Ann, for giving good
Thanks, Ann, for giving good counsel while we were busy toiling in other vineyards.
DPSlager,
DPSlager,
Our apologies for not answering promptly while out of the office for a week. In the meanwhile, Ann Gilchrist has given you quite sound advice.
Thank you for your help Ann.
Thank you for your help Ann.