Film number not accurate

By Anonymous on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 12:56

Forums

Was at the local genealogy library Saturday and found my great-grandfather in the 1890 Chicago city directory.

I found the film number in the binder downstairs:  C38-D02, which meant cabinet 38, drawer 2 upstairs.

However, when I went upstairs, the film was actually (and correctly, based on alphabetizing) in drawer 5 of cabinet 38.

Which film number would I cite?  C38-D02 or C38-D05?

Thanks in advance,

--Paula in Texas

Submitted byEEon Wed, 07/25/2012 - 17:21

Paula, this is a question EE would take to the library itself. If they have misnumbered it, they would want to know that.

A few other considerations come into play here:

1. Some libraries and archives request that cabinet numbers and drawer numbers not be cited, because they find it necessary to move film periodically.

2. It is not common practice to cite library call numbers, whether it be book numbers or film numbers. Of course, in our working notes, we may add the film numbers to the standard citation, as a personal aid in the event that we seek that source again in that particular library; but those numbers would typically be dropped from the citation at publication time. (This gets back to the input vs. output debate in citation circles.)

3. Typically, microfilm box numbers are cited only when we are working at a library or archives that has created its own film and, as a consequence, has assigned a distinct identity to that film. Example: EE 4.6 "Microfilm (Produced In-House)" or any of the many FHL film citations in EE. Microfilmed city directories are more commonly cited as per EE 12.55.

Submitted bypdryburnon Wed, 07/25/2012 - 18:42

Thanks!  I see now I didn't really research it enough before posting.  I was just so surprised to find the mismatch, that I assumed I would run into trouble when I started to cite it.  I absolutely love your daily fb feed--I am learning a lot!

Submitted byEEon Wed, 07/25/2012 - 18:50

Ah, yes, it would be wonderful if librarians and archivists never made mistakes. Darn them! Why do they have to be human?

Thanks for thumbs-up on the FB feed.