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Hello again,
I have another question on citing a register of birth on FamilySearch.
Here is the citation that they use:
"Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9G7-793Z : 22 July 2021), Elmer Kennedy, 1879.
Here is the website link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9G7-793Z. This link takes me to the info page, not the page of the actual copy of registration. That link is here: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G924-R65Z
When I search by the film number the info says that this is for Register of births, 1877-1902, Items 2-4. That link is here: https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/359086?availability=Family%20History%20Library
When I click on Check image availability it then takes me to a list of browsable images. I find Item 2 on image 99. This image states that these are for McLean County, Illinois, Register of Births, Item 2. The image that I want is located on image 269 of 819, record number 1732. I am unsure if I need to have this in the first layer - McLean County, Register of Births, Item 2.
I am afraid I am overthinking this and am including too much information that will ultimately be confusing.
Using your example on page 469 and 470 of EE 2nd edition, here is what I have come up with.
Source List entry:
Illinois. "Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940". Database. FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9G7-793Z : 22 July 2021).
First Reference Note:
"Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940," browsable database and images, FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9G7-793Z, birth register image, Elmer Kennedy, 8 April 1979, no. 1732, McLean County, Illinois, Register of Births, Item 2; digital image from FamilySearch microfilm 007,625,317 > Item 2 > Image 269 of 819 > Record no.1732.
Subsequent Note:
"Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940," FamilySearch, birth register image, Elmer Kennedy, 1879, no. 1732.
Thank you as always for your help,
Linda Rogers
Hello, Linda. You’ve given…
Hello, Linda. You’ve given us an example with a lot to unpack. It makes an instructive lesson for all our followers.
First, you are wise to note that the citation proffered by FamilySearch at https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9G7-793Z is a citation to the record abstract, not the actual record. For clarity, a citation to that FS page would say:
"Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940", database entry, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9G7-793Z : 22 July 2021), Elmer Kennedy, 1879.
However, a digital image of the original register is available and so that is what we want to use and cite. At the bottom of that image, under “Information,” FS also gives us a suggested citation to the image:
"Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G924-R65Z?cc=1803970 : 28 November 2018), > image 1 of 1; county offices, Illinois.
While many of the citations that FS offers are thorough, this one is not. As with most things in life, the difference likely depends upon the experience and skill of the individuals who create the citations for FS. Despite its problems, the citation would be an aid to many beginners. You, on the other hand, are well past that point, so let’s analyze what you are using, what elements need to be cited, and which elements need to be attached to each other.
Your first decision in citing this record would be this: Do you want your citation to begin with the actual document or with the database? That decision would be governed by these considerations:
Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Whichever choice you make, there is one critical issue: Details for the original document should not be confused with, or attached to, details for the database. (In graphic terms, don't mix peas with apples.) The original created by the county clerk is an entirely separate object from the database created by FamilySearch. With this in mind, let’s examine your First Reference Note:
"Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940," browsable database and images, FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9G7-793Z, birth register image, Elmer Kennedy, 8 April 1979, no. 1732, McLean County, Illinois, Register of Births, Item 2; digital image from FamilySearch microfilm 007,625,317 > Item 2 > Image 269 of 819 > Record no.1732.
This citation represents the following elements:
Layer 1: “Title of Database,” descriptor, Title of Website (URL = Place of Publication : date of publication or access is needed), descriptor, specific item [name, date, register no., county/state, partial title of volume, item number on microfilm];
Layer 2: descriptor, second reference to FamilySearch, path [microfilm number > second reference to item number on microfilm > image no. > registration number from actual register.
By identifying the elements, we can more clearly see several issues. First:
A second issue is the division of the data into two layers. In Layer 1, you identify the database, then the specific item. In Layer 2 you give us the path that would take us from the database to the specific item. Logically, the identity of the specific item comes at the end of the path that we take to get there. All of that would go in one layer.
A third issue is the inclusion of a path to take us from the database to the specific image. For that filmed image, FamilySearch provides no path. (When there is a path involved, FamilySearch identifies the path above the image--as does Ancestry and most similar sites.) When we go to the root URL for this database (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1676968), we have no path to follow. We can’t choose a film number, after which a new menu offers us item numbers to choose from, etc.
A fourth issue is the date that you give in the “specific item” field. As with most birth registrations, the one you are citing carries two dates: the date the registration was made and the date the child was born. The citation should state what your chosen date represents.
A final issue is the presentation of the URL. You will note above that I added parentheses around the URL : date data in your citation. A citation to a website follows the same format as a citation to a book. Publication data, in both, appear in parentheses. The URL is the equivalent to “place of publication” for a printed book. The date that source was published or the date we accessed it online also appears within the parentheses in which publication data is set off from other descriptors of the source.
Now that we have dissected the issues, lets rebuild the citation—one for each choice you might make.
Choice 1, Emphasizing the database: One layer, with all data for original register placed in “specific item” field
“Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824–1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G924-R65Z?cc=1803970 : accessed 19 November 2022), image: McLean County, Illinois, Register of Births, vol. 1, 1877–1881, double-page 167, registration no. 1732, Elmer Kennedy, born 8 April 1879.
Choice 2, Emphasizing the original: Two layers, separated here by color
McLean County, Illinois, Register of Births, vol. 1, 1877–1881, double-page 167, registration no. 132, Elmer Kennedy, born 8 April 1879; imaged, “Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824–1930,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G924-R65Z?cc=1803970 : accessed 19 November 2022), digital film 7626317, image 269 of 819.
You’ll notice two things:
SOURCE LIST ENTRY:
Your draft offers this:
Illinois. "Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940". Database. FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9G7-793Z : 22 July 2021).
Three issues here:
And so …
Choice 1, Emphasizing the database
FamilySearch. “Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824–1903.” https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1676968. 2022.
Choice 2, Emphasizing the original
Illinois, McLean County. Register of Births, vol. 1, 1877–1881.
In the latter case, citing the original register, we don't conventionally cite a date or year on which we consulted it because that original register is fixed. The content of a register created 1877 to 1881 would not differ whether we consulted it in 2018, 2022, or 2030.
WOW! Thank you so very much…
WOW! Thank you so very much. What a great explanation.
I really appreciate your time to help with our questions.
Thank you,
Linda Rogers