FHL Microfilm copy of Preservation Microfilm - Version 2

I am an EE newbie, and I am trying to develop a proper citation for a record from an actual film I had ordered and viewed at my local FHL several years ago.  Unfortunately, I didn't know then what I know now, so I am revisiting some of my earlier research and trying to do it "right" this time around.

My situation is similar to a post written by  Anonymous on Fri, 08/21/2015.  The FSL microfilm I used appears not to be a GSU film, but a copy of a preservation film made by a regional church council in Germany.  Based on what I can find in EE Vol. 4, and some of the other forum posts here, below is my attempt at writing a citation that reflects the original record, the FSL film where I found it, and information regarding the German film FSL copied. I'm sure there are concepts I haven't quite grasped, so any help and corrections would be appreciated.

 

Evangelische Kirche Leibenstadt [Evangelical Church in Leibenstadt] (A. Adelsheim, Baden, Germany), Kirschenbuch [church book] of "Leibenstadter u. Tolnayshoffer" Band 1 [Volume 1] including Geburten [births] 1710-1791, Ehe [marriages] 1711-1790, and Toten [deaths] 1710-1791, section Taufen [baptisms - identified by the symbol     ], 1769, p. 106, first entry, Joh. Georg Dieterle named as father in the birth/baptismal record for son Georg Sebastian [Dieterle], 31 Aug1769/1 September 1769; consulted through Family Search Library [FSL] microfilm 1,189,265 > Item 8, Family Search Library, Salt Lake City, Utah; displaying Evangelical Landeskirche Baden Film Nr. 616, "Kirchenbuch Unterkessah" (Karlsruhe, Germany, 197-).  The first seven items of this film are related to Unterkessach.  Records for Leibenstadt and Tolnayshoff begin with item 8.

 

Questions:

Title - the front of the specific church register I'm citing does not display a title.  I created a title using information from the first pages inside the register, quoting part of the inscription on the first page, then adding additional information found on the second page which will distinguish this volume from other registers also included on this film.  Is this appropriate?

Section - While the information at the front of this register says that it includes births, marriages and deaths, the section where this record is found is actually identified as "Taufen" [baptisms].  However, the word Taufen isn't used.  Instead, there is a symbol showing two wavy lines (representing water) to indicate these are baptisms.  There is a chart at the front of the film (not the individual register) which defines the meanings of the symbols used throughout the individual registers.  Is it appropriate to insert the symbol for baptisms here in my citation, since the word Taufen does not appear, and other researchers may not locate the "chart" given at the front of the film?  Ideas?

Bridge words "consulted through" - Since FSL did not do the imaging of the original church register, what would be appropriate wording here?  "Viewed on"?  

Bridge words "displaying" - Again, what would be an appropriate way to show that the FSL film is a copy of the film created by the Baden church?

Film Nr. - This information was found on the target slide at the front of the film, but no series is given.  There IS a slide before it that reads "GERM 0097", but I don't know what that refers to, or who (FSL or the church) labeled this film as such.

Final note - I remember being very confused when reading this film because the target page identifies this film as records for Unterkessach, and I had difficulty realizing that the records for Leibenstadt didn't begin until midway through the film.  Is it appropriate to add this note here at the end of the citation?

I apologize for the length of this post.  Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

Sue

 

Submitted byEEon Mon, 05/05/2025 - 14:10

Welcome, suel.

You have a difficult source to identify, for all the reasons you lay out; but you’ve done an excellent job. The citation is dense with details and the eyes of casual readers will likely glaze over; but you've provided all the detail needed for users to find the source, understand the German words, and find the exact entry on the film. You've chosen appropriate bridge words to help the reader understand what you and they are dealing with.  In short: It's a good citation for your working notes.  At some point in the future, if you submit an article to an editor, they will likely try to trim it; but your full citation will make it easier for them to fact-check your manuscript before editing begins.

As for the "GERM 0097," I really need to see the microfilm to make a reliable analysis. It appears to signify that it's roll 97 of some "German" project, but whether it's an FS project or a project of "Evangelische Landeskirche Baden" is debatable.

Submitted bysuelon Mon, 05/05/2025 - 17:03

Thank you for your time and response.  I'm chuckling, because I am experiencing a bit of that glazed-over feeling myself!  I appreciate your comments and reassurance that I am on the right track.

Sue