The word "citation" puts many people off, but a citation is just a note that tells you where a fact came from. Good citations save time, settle disagreements and make your tree trustworthy.
Why bother?
- You can find things again. Months later, you will know exactly where to look.
- You can weigh conflicting facts. When two dates disagree, citations show which source is stronger.
- Others can trust your work. Relatives and fellow researchers can check your evidence for themselves.
The four questions every citation answers
- What is the source? (A birth certificate, census page, letter, interview.)
- Who created it, or who is it about?
- When was it created or when did the event happen?
- Where is it now, or where did you see it?
Simple examples
Certificate: Marriage certificate of Ravi Kumar and Lata Devi, 12 June 1961, Lucknow. Original held by Lata Devi; photographed 4 March 2026.
Census: Census return, 1911, Ashford district, household of Thomas Hale. Viewed online at the regional archive's website, 9 April 2026.
Interview: Conversation with Aunt Priya, recorded at her home, 21 January 2026.
Keep it consistent, not perfect
Formal citation styles exist, and you may enjoy learning them later. For now, consistency matters more than format. Choose a pattern you can follow every time, and include enough detail for someone else to find the same source.
Cite as you go
The hardest citation to write is the one you left for later. Add the citation the moment you record a fact, whether in a notebook, spreadsheet or family tree program. It takes seconds then and can take hours to reconstruct afterwards.
Link it to your filing system
If you save a digital copy of a document, include the file name in your citation. That links your notes directly to the evidence, as described in our post on organising your research.
