Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills, Genealogical Publishing Company, 2009, 855 p.
There is an aphorism that circulates in the genealogy community that says, “genealogy without documentation is mythology.” While there is some debate about the origin of the saying and its exact wording, the idea that genealogical information must be accompanied by sources is widely accepted by professional researchers and most hobbyists. Sometimes, though, information is shared among amateur researchers that has not been sourced. If the unsourced information is shared online, it can spread misinformation far and wide. It’s up to us, as good genealogists, to ensure the information we share is accurate, documented and sourced properly. Even if the intended recipients of this information are only close family members, it is still advised that all source information be diligently cited so that anyone who might want to retrace your research steps can find the same documents used in building your family tree. Sourcing also benefits the researcher by making it easy to retrace their own steps when encountering conflicting information in their research. It is easier to double-check the details if you know where to look. The more detailed the citation, the easier the documentation is to locate again.
Mills’ 885-page reference book is the most comprehensive guide to citing historical sources out there. It contains virtually every type of source, whether it be online, in print, on microfilm or fiche, or in other less common formats, that a genealogist might encounter when engaged in genealogical research. The author first explains the fundamentals of evidence analysis and citation in order that the reader understands why researchers need to create proper citations, as well as the rationale behind the citation formats that Mills has created. Then she provides model templates, based on the type of record being sourced, that can be duplicated as the researcher puts these citation rules into practice. By using Mill’s templates and models, we can ensure some consistency with methods used for sourcing in the wider genealogical community.
Beginners may find Mills’ tome a bit overwhelming at first glance, but an easy-to-use comprehensive index will help them pinpoint the type of document they are trying to cite. Mills has included “quick-check models” which are examples of more commonly used document citations.
Personally, citing sources is my least favourite part of genealogy. I find it to be mind-numbingly dull work, but necessary, especially as I pass on my findings to others. Elizabeth Shown Mills’ book belongs on any genealogist’s bookcase to make the mundane work of citing sources a little bit easier.
