How do you cite investigations done by others on your behalf?

By History-Hunter on Sat, 03/30/2019 - 09:39

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Dear Editor;

Sixteen years ago, I engaged the services of a researcher from the genealogical society in the area I was investigating. They consulted their database on newspaper BMD info, the Edmonton city archives (for newspapers) and visited the appropriate cemetery office. This resulted in my receiving a printout of their database for my ancestor, a set of annotated newspaper images and a copy of the relevant cemetery burial information (and location map). At the time, this level of citation information detail was fairly standard and I am in no doubt that the information is accurate.

The references are still adequate to locate the data again, with a little work on my part, but do not seem sufficient to produce the EE-style layered citations. The information does not state much detail about the repositories for the information other than their official names. I should also note that, based on the clipping photocopies I received and a knowledge of the repository, I think these specific items were taken from microfilm.

I can produce the standard EE citation relating to the physical article (layer 1), but what can I do to capture that I received the information from a specific researcher (under a case number) and then somehow note the location from which they obtained the information? (I can fairly easily check the street location of the repositories at the time of the research.)

Submitted byEEon Sat, 03/30/2019 - 11:23

History Hunter, as a rule of thumb, if we engage someone to do research for us, then we cite their research report (which seems to have been sent to you in the form of a database printout, if I understand you correctly). If they attached images, then we have two choices.

  1. In the field for the specific item of interest, we'd say Attachment 1 [or whichever], image of newspaper clipping [or whatever], [followed by a citation to as much as you can reconstruct from what you see; or you might copy their own citation and place it in quotes]. See EE 3.21 and QuickCheck Model p. 114.
  2. In the case of something as uncomplicated and stable as a newspaper clipping, if your researcher cited the paper's name, place, date, etc., then you could cite the newspaper in your first layer and use the second layer to say something such as "image supplied by ..."  EE 7.19, the "New Bethel" example, uses this approach also for a photocopied page from a church record book, supplied by a credentialed researcher.

Submitted byHistory-Hunteron Sat, 03/30/2019 - 16:43

Dear Editor;

Thank you. I'll have a look at the referenced sections and see what I can construct. I think I have enough to identify the portions of the sources that were consulted in a way that they can be found by others. In the case of the images from newspapers, I cannot say whether they were taken from a hardcopy or a microfilm. I suspect the latter, since the repository noted in the package of information has never handled newspapers in any other form. I just don't have a film number. While I was not given the street address of each quoted repository, they are very well known in the city and that is not an issue.

If the researcher has quoted a project reference number for their work, would one also use that in the citation? With privacy reasons in mind, I doubt that it would have any value to anyone else. I would think that the mention of the researcher would only be to acknowledge their contribution to the research and the "meat" is really in the references to the physical documents themselves.

Submitted byHistory-Hunteron Sun, 03/31/2019 - 10:17

Dear Editor;

I looked at the noted examples, as well as a few others, and would appreciate your comment on the following attempt at citing one of the newspaper articles. This, if deemed to be reasonable, will give me a basis for citing other contained material.

The article cited is one of the newspaper articles provided under a cover letter by the researcher. The cover letter titled, "Charles Murison (03E-076)", contains a list of the materials contained in the associated research package.

First (Full) Reference Note

  1. Wolowyk, Norma, researcher, Alberta Genealogical Society (AGS) - Edmonton, "Charles Murison (03E-076)" Report to {RECIPIENT} [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Calgary, Alberta, 3 July 2003; research package containing photocopy of newspaper article, The Morning Bulletin [Edmonton, Alberta, Canada], Tuesday, 7 November 1922, [page 1], “Suicides at Hotel; Leaves Note”; Photocopy held by recipient. Ms. Wolowyk has confirmed the article was contained on page 1 of the noted publication and that the repository was the City of Edmonton Archives.

I chose to "reverse" the layers to emphasize that the material was provided as part of a research report. That order is also more logical given the necessary clarification that needed to be appended.

Note that in the actual citation, I would substitute my name for, "{RECIPIENT}" .

Submitted byEEon Sun, 03/31/2019 - 13:06

     1. Norma Wolowyk, researcher, Alberta Genealogical Society (AGS)–Edmonton, "Charles Murison (03E-076)," report to {RECIPIENT} [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Calgary, Alberta, 3 July 2003; research package containing photocopy of newspaper article, The Morning Bulletin [Edmonton, Alberta, Canada], Tuesday, 7 November 1922, [page 1], “Suicides at Hotel; Leaves Note”; photocopy held by recipient. Ms. Wolowyk has confirmed the article was contained on page 1 of the noted publication and that the repository was the City of Edmonton Archives.

History-Hunter, you well understand the basic principles as to what is essential and why. Above, I’ve tweaked your citation for the stylistic issues—specifically:

  1. In a reference note, an author's name is given in normal order. It is inverted only in a source list entry and is done so there only because source lists alphabetize authored works by the last name for easy location. (EE 2.16, 2.53)
  2. Hyphen changed to en-dash in the society name.  Basic rule: a hyphen is used to connect something, as when we create a hyphenated word to join two concepts such as Franco-American. An en dash or em dash is used to separate. If we are using a space before and after the mark, as in your example, we are saying that the intent is to separate the two thing, but the wee little hyphen gets lost in the gap. Conversely, if the intention is to connect, but the wording on either side of the connector consists of multiple words as in this case, then the hyphen is replaced by an en dash.  (EE 2.65)
  3. Comma added after the name of the report to separate it from the descriptor that follows. (EE 2.64)
  4. “Report” is lowercased. It’s not a formal name or title; thus, it should not be capitalized. (EE2.59)
  5. Italics are used for the newspaper title. (EE 2.22)
  6. “Photocopy” is lowercased, following standard capitalization practices for nouns mid-sentence that are not proper nouns (2.59).

 

Submitted byHistory-Hunteron Sun, 03/31/2019 - 13:30

Dear Editor;

Excellent! Thank you. I'm so happy that I seem to be starting to understand how to cite sources. I'll make the noted changes and continue on with documenting the research package.