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From: "Kevin Sholder" <>
Subject: Census - What is the source?
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2004 13:25:56 -0500


All,

OK, I'm at a disadvantage here, but I'm going to send this ever so basic
(however confusing to me at least) question.

A source is a tangible item that contains information. The information
about the source is recorded as well as it's location. But for census
records we all know that there is one set of originals located in Washington
D.C. Of which microfilm copies have been made and further digital images
(of varying quality) have been made of that microfilm. Now those digital
images are stored for retrieval by a couple of online services.

The question arises should that online service (repository we will call it)
be recorded as a part of the source for that census image?

In several places I have found that "yes," the online service is a part of
the source citation and yet others do not show it at all.

Elizabeth does not show the "repository" as a part of the citation, why?

In the Silicon Valley PAF Users Group publication, "Family History
Documentation Guidelines" 2000 edition, when the census is on CD-ROM it
does, why? When the record is on microfilm, it does not, why?

On this site: http://www.progenealogists.com/citationguide.htm they
recommend using the "repository," why?

Is this purely personal choice or is there method to the madness?

Thank you for your time,
Kevin L. Sholder


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