Solid Citations Start with Better Analysis

Have you ever rushed to cite a source—only to realize later you didn’t really understand it? This blog post is all about slowing down, asking the right questions, and analyzing your sources so your citations (and your conclusions) stand on solid ground. 

Before recording or citing anything, pause to examine the record, its format, and its origin. A thoughtful analysis helps you assess the source’s reliability and its relevance to your overall research. Understanding your source also helps you create better citations!

A great place to start is by reviewing basic genealogical terminology.

Key Genealogical Terms to Know

Sources

• Original: The first version or digital image of a record—often the most reliable.
• Derivative: A copy, transcription, index, or abstract.
• Authored: A compiled work, usually by a researcher, historian, or family member.

Information

• Primary: Provided by someone with firsthand knowledge.
• Secondary: Based on secondhand knowledge.
  Undetermined: When it’s unclear how the informant knew the information.

Evidence

• Direct: Directly answers your research question.
• Indirect: Requires you to piece together clues.
• Negative: The absence of information that suggests meaning—use with caution.

What to Ask When Analyzing a Source

Analyzing a source to determine its reliability strengthens your research and citations. To do this effectively, it’s essential to understand the source’s origin and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.

Use the following questions—or others you find helpful—to guide your analysis. There’s no need to answer every question. Just take time to thoroughly examine the source, notice any important details, and record your observations in your research log. Later, when you use the source, you’ll be grateful you took time to analyze it as you cited it. Here are questions to guide your analysis.

General Details

• What’s the source’s title? 
• Who created it?
• Is there an “Information Tab” or “Collection Summary” with the collection or in the catalog?
• Does the beginning or end of the record set give helpful context? Explore the microfilm for more information!

Source Type & Format

• Is the source an original, a copy, or an authored work?
• Is it handwritten, typed, or digitized?
• What format is the source in? Is it a filled-in form or in paragraph style?
• Is the source a certificate, a register, a book, a bond, a card, a packet, a file, an article, a manuscript, a letter, etc.?

Condition & Clarity

• What condition is the source in?
• Is it legible, or are there readability issues?
• Is it in a foreign language?
• Are there grammatical or spelling errors that affect the readability?

Informant Clues & Reliability

• Who provided the information?
• Did they witness the event?
• How reliable is their perspective?
• What clues show if the document was made at the time of the event or copied later?

Context & Correlation

• Where was the record created and stored?
• When and how did you access it?
• How does the information in this source compare with other sources?
• If they conflict, which one is more reliable—and why?

Extra Details

• Are there notes, signatures, or abbreviations?
• Could this record point you to an earlier or more complete version?

Thoughtful source analysis lays the foundation for accurate citations and sound genealogical conclusions. By asking the right questions and recording meaningful observations, you can build stronger citations, reach more accurate conclusions, and gain a deeper understanding of the records you use. Accurate analysis not only supports credible work but also strengthens the overall research process.