Census Citation Guide

Census citations should identify the exact record examined, not just the census year or a database name.

Evidence hierarchy

1. A digital image of the original census schedule is preferred.
2. A provider's image viewer and metadata are useful access tools, but the underlying record is the census schedule held by the repository.
3. An index or transcription is derivative evidence. Cite it as such when no image is available; do not silently treat it as an image.
4. A family tree assertion or search hint is a lead, not a census citation.

Required identification

Capture as many of these as the record provides:

• Census year
• Jurisdiction, county, and locality
• Schedule type
• Enumeration district
• Page and/or sheet
• Line
• Dwelling and family/household number
• Repository and NARA publication or roll
• Digital provider and collection title
• Stable URL
• Date accessed
• Any coverage, image, indexing, or access limitation

Template

Use {{Cite census}}:

{{Cite census
| year = 1940
| jurisdiction = Missouri
| county = St. Louis County
| locality = ...
| schedule = Population
| enumeration_district = ...
| page = ...
| sheet = ...
| line = ...
| household = ...
| repository = National Archives and Records Administration
| publication = T627
| roll = ...
| provider = FamilySearch
| collection = 1940 United States Federal Census
| url = ...
| accessed = YYYY-MM-DD
| note = ...
}}

Coverage and negative findings

A collection page describes the record set. A research log records whether a particular person, household, jurisdiction, or enumeration district was searched. A negative finding should state the search scope, provider or repository, date, and result. “Not found” without a defined search is not a useful negative finding.