State Census Citation Complexity

By Anonymous on Sun, 06/12/2016 - 02:53

Forums

I've put together an initial draft citation for the 1885 Iowa state census:

1885 Iowa State Census, Adair County, "Schedule I, Statistics of Population," pages 388v-389r (stamped), Prussia Township, dwelling 1, family 1, A. H. Hepler household; consulted as "State census, 1885," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/388625?availability=Family History Library : accessed 02 Nov. 2014), > FILM/DGS 1021316 > Browse the images online > image 366 of 643; imaged from "Iowa Census Returns, Adair County, vol. 141, 1885," Family History Library (FHL) microfilm 1,021,316; Iowa State Historical Dep't, Museum and Archives, Des Moines.

I'm not sure how to handle a few things:

  1. It appears that groups of schedules were bound with covers.  The number of schedules grouped together varies.  Prussia Twp. is contained in four such groups, for example.  The stamped numbers (that cover all of Adair county) and the dwelling and family numbers are continuous through all the groups in Prussia Twp.  There is no ED (for example) to differentiates each group in Prussia Twp. from each other.
  2. The word "Duplicate" is penned on the cover of the group of schedules containing the one I'm citing.  It's the only one of the Adair county group that has that notation.
  3. The groups of schedules were in turn bound into volume with the label "1885 Iowa Census, Adair, 141" on the spine.  

So, in order:

  1. Is there any reason to describe the grouping of schedules in the citation?  That information doesn't appear to be of any help in finding the record I'm citing.
  2. The word "Duplicate" implies there may be another copy of this schedule but if there is, it's not included in the FHL microfilm.  Is there any point in including that information since the citation clearly identifies the record used?
  3. I would like to identify the bound volume since that appears to be what would be found at the Iowa historical society.  I'd also like to correct the misleading order of the label.  Can that be done by adding a layer, or should an additional sentence be added?
  4. If I were to add a layer, how could I refer to the bound volume without adding a second "imaged from".  (I'd drop the nearly duplicate title from the start of the microfilm in this case.)

For question #3:

[...] ; imaged from Family History Library (FHL) microfilm 1,021,316; imaged from "1885 Iowa Census, Adair, 141" [1885 Iowa Census, vol. 141, Adair County]; Iowa State Historical Dep't, Museum and Archives, Des Moines.

[...] ; imaged from "Iowa Census Returns, Adair County, vol. 141, 1885," Family History Library (FHL) microfilm 1,021,316; Iowa State Historical Dep't, Museum and Archives, Des Moines.   The census schedules are combined by location and bound in a volume labeled "1885 Iowa Census, Adair, 141" [1885 Iowa Census, vol. 141, Adair County].

Thanks for your help,

Brian

 

 

Submitted byEEon Sun, 06/12/2016 - 14:04

Brian,  let's start with your second bulleted list, Questions 1 and 2, wherein you ask if thus-and-such needs to be included in the citation because it "doesn't appear to be of any help in finding the record I'm citing."

For a careful researcher, citations have two purposes. The second purpose is to help find the citation again. The even more important purpose—EE argues—is to identify all the characteristics of the source that affect our evaluation of its reliability.  You've touched upon this need yourself, in noting that the records you are using are labeled with the notation "Duplicate."  Definitely, that word is a flag of caution. Definitely, the point needs to be mentioned in your citation, even though the citation you created "clearly identifies the record used."

Beyond this, your last option would be the most beneficial across time—although it would benefit from noting the fact that you are a citing a duplicate. You've  (commendably) spent the time to analyze what you are using and understand its composition. Record that insight, while the intricacies of the issue are clear in your mind. As you go forward with your research, you or someone else will be thankful that you did.

You ask whether your explanations should be an added layer in the basic citation sentence or whether you should create a new sentence for the discussion. Your situation is an excellent example of times when a whole new sentence would enhance clarity.

 

 

Submitted byBrian Gon Sun, 06/12/2016 - 23:56

Thank you for your guidance!

Despite trying to be thorough, I just realized that the numbering of the bound volume is not limited to 1885 as the numbering continues through the 1895 census records.  So it appears that the bound volume is really something like "Unknown Series Title, vol. 141, 1885 Iowa Census, Adair County".  I think I'll just be better off quoting verbatim what's on the volume.

I've certainly learned a lot about evaluating a source from this exercise!

Thanks again,

Brian

Submitted byEEon Mon, 06/13/2016 - 20:56

Ah, yes, Brian. It's amazing how much we can wring from a source, once we get in the habit of thinking about what it is we're using!