Citations—Census Records
Any census index or transcription in printed or database format does not present original data. The data has been transcribed, edited, and re-formatted. Some errors may occur along the way. In every case, the researcher is advised to use an index to locate the actual census entry and then read the census record yourself. Census citations can have a primary focus on the census year and type or on the person being researched. Either is acceptable. See the 1850 census for an example of both citations.
Elements of the citation could include: state, county, city or town, township, ward, year, type of census, enumeration district, printed page number, handwritten page number, dwelling number, family number, name of person, name of agency that created the microfilm, micropublication, roll number, Web page title, URL, title of record, any identifying information.
| First Footnote or Endnote | Subsequent Footnote or Endnote | Bibliography | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Census | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] County, Missouri, agricultural schedule, p. [number], [name]; in-house microfilm; State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia. | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] Co., Mo., ag. sch., p. [number], [name]. | [State]. [County Name] County. [year] U.S. census, agricultural schedule. In-house microfilm. State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia. |
| Example | 1870 U.S. census, Franklin County, Missouri, Central Township, St. Clair Post Office, agriculture schedule, p. 5-6, Paul Georg; entry, Central Township, St. Clair Post Office, in-house microfilm; State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia. | 1870 U.S. census, Franklin Co., Mo., ag. sch., p. 5-6, Paul Georg. | Missouri. Franklin County. 1870 U.S. census, agricultural schedule. In-house microfilm. State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia. |
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| Census of Industry or Manufacture | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] county, Missouri, industrial and manufacturing schedule, p. [number], [name]; in-house microfilm; State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia. | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] Co., Mo., ind. sch., p. [number], [Name]. | Missouri. [County Name] county. [year] U.S. census, industrial and manufacturing schedule. In-house microfilm. State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia. |
| Example | 1870 U.S. Census, Franklin County, Missouri, industrial and manufacturing schedule, Central Township, Moselle and Union Post Office, p. 4, line 8, Paul Gorg entry; in-house microfilm, roll 3, State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia. | 1870 U.S. census, Franklin Co., Mo., ind. sch., p. 4, Paul Gorg. | Missouri. Franklin County. 1870 U.S. census, industrial and manufacturing schedule. In-house microfilm. State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia. |
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| Microfilm 1790 | 1790 U.S. census, [County or District], [State], p. [number] (penned), col. [number], line [number], [Name]; NARA microfilm publication M637, roll [number]. | 1790 U.S. census, [County or District], [Co. or Dist.], [State abbreviation], p. [number] (penned), col. [number], line [number], [Name]. | [State]. [County or District]. 1790 U.S. census. NARA microfilm publication M637, roll [number]. Washington , D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1790 U.S. census, Burke County, Morgan District, North Carolina, p. 100 (penned), col. 2, line 5, Thos. Sumpter; NARA microfilm publication M637, roll 7. | 1790 U.S. census, Burke Co., Morgan Dist., N.C., p. 7 (penned), col. 2, line 5, Thos. Sumpter. | North Carolina. Burke County. Morgan District. 1790 U.S. census. NARA microfilm publication M637, roll 7. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1800 | 1800 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], town of [Name of town], p. [number] (penned at bottom right), line [number], [Name], NARA microfilm publication M32, roll [number]. | 1800 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], [Name of town], p. [number] (penned at bottom right), [Name]. | [State]. [County name] County. 1800 U.S. census. NARA microfilm publication M32, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1800 U.S. census, Burke County, North Carolina, no town listed, p. 792 (stamped at top right), line 10, Thomas Sumpter, NARA microfilm publication M32, roll 29. | 1800 U.S. census, Burke Co., N.C., no town listed, p. 792 (stamped at top right), Thomas Sumpter. | North Carolina. Burke County. 1800 U.S. census. NARA microfilm publication M32, roll 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1810 | 1810 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], town of [Town], p.[number] (penned), line [number], [Name], NARA microfilm publication M252, roll [number]. | 1810 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], [Town name], p. [number] (penned), [Name]. | [State]. [County name] County. 1810 U.S. census. NARA microfilm publication M252, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1810 U.S. census, Burke County, North Carolina, Morganton, p. 351 (penned, 128 stamped), line 24, William Sumpter, NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 39. | 1810 U.S. census, Burke Co., NC, Morganton, p. 351 (penned, 128 stamped), William Sumpter. | North Carolina. Burke County. 1810 U.S. Census. NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 39. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1820 | 1820 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], [Town or township], population schedule, p. [number] (penned or typed tag), [Name]; NARA microfilm publication M33, roll [number]. | 1820 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], [Town or township], pop. sch., p. [number] (penned or typed tag), [Name]. | [State]. [County]. 1820 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M33, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1820 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Illinois, Scott township, population schedule, p. 131 (penned), Louis Larimy; NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 12. | 1820 U.S. census, St. Clair Co., Ill., Scott twnshp., pop. sch., p. 131 (penned), Louis Larimy. | Illinois. St. Clair County. 1820 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 12. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1830 | 1830 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, p. [number] (stamped), line [number], [Name], NARA microfilm publication M29, roll [number]. | 1830 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], pop. sch., p. [number] (stamped), [Name]. | [State]. [County]. 1830 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M29, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1830 U.S. census, St. Louis County, Missouri, population schedule, p. 291 (stamped), line 25, Peter Piant, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 72. | 1830 U.S. census, St. Louis Co, Mo., pop. sch., p. 291 (stamped), Peter Piant. | Missouri. St. Louis County. 1830 U.S. census, population schedle. NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 72. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1840 | 1840 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], [Town or township], population schedule, p. [number] (stamped), line [number], [Name], NARA microfilm publication M704, roll [number]. | 1840 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], pop. sch., p.[number] (stamped), line [number], [Name]. | [State].[County]. 1840 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M704, roll number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1840 U.S. census, St. Louis County, Missouri, St. Louis township, population schedule, p. 182 (stamped), line 15, L. A. Benoist, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 231. | 1840 U.S. census, St. Louis Co., Mo., pop. sch., p. 182 (stamped), line 15, L.A. Benoist. | Missouri. St. Louis County. 1840 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 231. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1850 |
1850 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, [Town or township, ward], p. [number] (handwritten, [number] stamped), dwelling [number], family [number], [Name]; NARA microfilm publication M432, roll [number].
OR [Name], 1850 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, [Town or township, ward], p. [number] (handwritten, [number] stamped), dwelling [number], family [number]; NARA microfilm publication M432, roll [number]. |
1850 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], pop. sch., p. [number] (handwritten, [number] stamped), dwell. [number], fam. [number], [Name].
OR [Name], 1850 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, [Town or township, ward], p. [number] (handwritten, [number] stamped), dwelling [number], family [number]. |
[State]. [County name] County. 1850 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.1
OR [State]. [County name] County. 1850 U.S. census, population schedule. Micropublication M432, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives.2 |
| Example | 1850 U.S. census, St. Louis County, Missouri, population schedule, 3rd Ward, City of St. Louis, p. 362 (printed, 223 handwritten), dwelling 970, family 1079, Ann L. Hunt; NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 414.
OR Ann L. Hunt, 1850 U.S. census, St. Louis County, Missouri, population schedule, 3rd Ward, City of St. Louis, p. 362 (printed, 223 handwritten), dwelling 970, family 1079; NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 414. |
1850 U.S. census, St. Louis Co., Mo., pop. sch., p. 362 (printed, 223 handwritten), dwell. 970, fam. 1079, Ann L. Hunt.
OR Ann L. Hunt, 1850 U.S. census, St. Louis Co., Mo., pop. sch., 3rd Ward, City of St. Louis, p. 362 (printed, 223 handwritten), dwell. 970, fam.1079. |
Missouri. St. Louis County. 1850 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 414. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
OR Missouri. St. Louis County. 1850 U.S. census, population schedule. Micropublication M432, roll 414. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. |
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| Microfilm 1860 | 1860 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, [Town or township, ward], p. [number] (handwritten, [number] stamped), dwelling [number], family [number], [Name]; NARA microfilm publication M653, roll [number]. | 1860 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], pop. sch., p. [number] (handwritten, [number] stamped), dwell. [number], fam. [number], [Name]. | [State]. [County name] County. 1860 U.S. census. Population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1860 U. S. Census, St. Louis County, Missouri, population schedule, Meramec Township, Fenton Post Office, p. 90 (988 penned), dwelling 681, family 659, P. H. Willson; NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 656. | 1860 U. S. Census, St. Louis Co., Mo., pop. sch., p. 90 (988 penned), dwell. 681, fam. 659, P. H. Willson. | Missouri. St. Louis County. 1860 U.S. Census. Population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 656. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| 1860 Slave Schedule | 1860 U. S. census, [County name] County, [State], slave schedule, [Town or township, ward], p. [number], [Name], [relationship]; NARA microfilm publication M432, roll [number]. | 1860 U. S. census, [County name] Co., [State Abbreviation], slave sch., [Town or township, ward], p. [number], [Name], [relationship]. | [State]. [County name] County, 1860 U. S. Census, slave schedule. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1860 U.S. census, St. Louis County, Missouri, slave schedule, Carondelet township, p. 4 (handwritten, 319 B stamped), Louis A. Benoist, slave owner; NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 664. | 1860 U.S. census, St. Louis Co., Mo., slave sch., Carondelet township, p. 4 (handwritten), Louis A. Benoist, slave owner. | Missouri. St. Louis County, 1860 U.S. Census, slave schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 664. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1870 | 1870 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, [Name of post office] Post Office, p. [number] (handwritten, [number] stamped), dwelling [number], family [number], [Name], NARA microfilm publication M593, roll [number]. | 1870 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], pop. sch., [Name of Post Office] P.O., p. [number] (handwritten, [number] stamped), dwell. [number], fam. [number], [Name]. | [State]. [County name] County. 1870 U.S. census. Population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M593, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1870 U. S. census, St. Louis County, Missouri, population schedule, Meramec Township, Melrose Post Office, p. 4 (printed 250B), dwelling 25, family 23, Peter H. Wilson; NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 808. | 1870 U. S. census, St. Louis Co., Mo., pop. sch., Melrose Post Office, p. 4 (printed 250B), dwell. 25, fam. 23, Peter H. Wilson | Missouri. St. Louis County. 1870 U.S. census. Population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 808. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1880 | 1880 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, enumeration district (ED) [number], p. [number] (stamped), p. [number] (penned), dwelling [number], family [number], [Name]; NARA microfilm publication T9, roll [number]. [If St. Louis census, make note of first or second enumeration]. | 1880 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], pop. sch., ED [number], p. [number] stamped, dwell. [number], fam. [number], [Name]. | [State.] [County name] County. 1880 U.S. census. Population schedule. NARA microfilm publication T9, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | >1880 U.S. census, St. Louis City, Missouri, population schedule, ward 20, p. 116 (stamped, 5A handwritten), enumeration district (ED) 398, dwelling 1, family 1, George Wilson; NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 735, second enumeration. | 1880 U.S. census, St. Louis City, Mo., pop. sch., wd. 20, p. 116 (stamped, 5A handwritten), ED 398, dwell. 1, fam. 1, George Wilson. | Missouri. St. Louis, City of. 1880 U.S. census, population schedule. Second enumeration. NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 735. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| 1890 Veteran’s Schedule | 1890 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], “Special Schedule: Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and Widows,” [City, Town, or Township], enumeration district (ED) [number], p. [number], [Name]; NARA microfilm publication M123, roll [number]. | 1890 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State Abbreviation], “Special Schedule: Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and Widows,” [City, Town, or Township], ED [number], p. [number], [Name]. | [State]. [County]. 1890 U.S. census, “Special Schedule: Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and Widows.” NARA microfilm publication M123, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1890 U.S. census, St. Louis County, Missouri, “Special Schedule: Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and Widows,” City of St. Louis, enumeration district (ED) 105, p. 1, Christina, widow of Michael Betts; NARA microfilm publication M123, roll 27. | 1890 U.S. census, St. Louis Co., Mo., “Special Schedule: Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and Widows,” City of St. Louis, ED 105, p. 1, Christina, widow of Michael Betts. | Missouri. St. Louis County. 1890 U.S. census, “Special Schedule: Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and Widows.” NARA microfilm publication M123, roll 27. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1900 | 1900 U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, enumeration district (ED) [number], p. [number] (stamped), p. [number] (penned), dwelling [number], family [number], [Name]; NARA microfilm publication T623, roll [number]. | 1900 U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], pop. sch., ED [number], p. [number] stamped, dwell. [number], fam. [number], [Name]. | [State.][County name] County. 1900 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication T623, roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1900 U. S. Census, St. Louis City, Missouri, population schedule, City of St. Louis, ward 27, sheet 4B (handwritten, 28 printed), enumeration district (ED) 410, dwelling 65, family 88, Julius Schumacher; NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 901. | 1900 U.S. census, St. Louis City, Mo., pop.sch., ED 410, sheet 4B (handwritten, 28 printed), dwell. 65, fam. 88, Julius Schumacher. | Missouri. St. Louis City. 1900 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 901. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Microfilm 1910–1930 | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, enumeration district (ED) [number], p. [number] (stamped), p. [number] (penned), dwelling [number], family [number], [Name]; NARA microfilm publication T[number], roll [number]. | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], pop. sch., ED [number], p. [number] stamped, dwell. [number], fam. [number], [Name]. | [State.] [County name] County. [Year] U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication T[number], roll [number]. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
| Example | 1930 U. S. Census, St. Louis County, Missouri, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 95–46, sheet 9A (handwritten, 130 printed), dwelling 163, family 213, C. Henry Wolfsberger; NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 1224. | 1930 U. S. Census, St. Louis Co., Mo., pop. sch., ED 95–46, sheet 9A (handwritten, 130 printed), dwell. 163, fam. 213, C. Henry Wolfsberger. | Missouri. St. Louis County. 1930 U. S. Census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 1224. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. |
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| Mortality Schedule 1850–1880 Missouri |
[Year] U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], mortality schedule, p. [number], [Name]; State Historical Society of Missouri, roll [number]. | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviation], mortality schedule, p. [number], [Name]. | [State]. [County name] County. [Year] U.S. census, mortality schedule. State Historical Society of Missouri, roll [number]. Columbia : State Historical Society of Missouri, n.d. |
| Example | 1880 U.S. census, Franklin County, Missouri, mortality schedule, p. 1, Jno. Schiller, State Historical Society of Missouri, roll 5. | 1880 U.S. census, Franklin Co., Mo., mortality schedule, p. 1, Jno. Schiller. | Missouri. Franklin County. 1880 U.S. census, mortality schedule. State Historical Society of Missouri, roll 5. Columbia: State Historical Society of Missouri, n.d. |
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| Online image | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] County, [State], population schedule, [Civil Division (ward, township, town or city)], enumeration district (ED) [number], sheet [number] (stamped, [number] handwritten], dwelling [number], family [number], [Person or persons]; digital image, [Web page title] ([URL] : accessed [date]); citing NARA microfilm publication [number or letter], roll [number]. | [Year] U.S. census, [County name] Co., [State abbreviated], pop. sch., [Civil Division], ED [number], sheet [number] (stamped, [number] handwritten], dwell. [number], fam. [number], p. [number], [Person or persons]. | [State]. [County]. [Year] U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. [Web page title]. [URL] : [year accessed]. |
| Example | 1920 U.S. census, St. Louis city, Missouri, population schedule, ward 3, enumeration district (ED) 51, sheet 5A (handwritten, 111 stamped), dwelling 70, family 106, John Fagyal; digital image, Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 September 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 948. | 1920 U.S. census, St. Louis city, Mo., pop. sch., ward 3, (ED) 51, sheet 5A (handwritten, 111 stamped), dwell. 70, fam. 106, John Fagyal. | Missouri. St. Louis City. 1920 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com : 2011. |
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| State Census | [Year] [State] state census, [County name] County, population schedule, [City, town, or township], p. [number], dwelling [number], family [number], for [Name of person]; [Film repository], [Film location], [film ID]. | [Year] [State] state census, [County name] Co., pop. sch., [City, town, or township], p. [number], dwell. [number], fam. [number], [Name of person]. | [State]. [County name] County. [Year] state census, population schedule. [Repository name], [Repository City]. [Film location] microfilm [number]. [Film repository], [Film location]. |
| Example | 1857 Missouri state census, St. Louis County, ward 2, population schedule, unpaginated (p. 6 of ward 2), for Adolphus Eichelberger; Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri, MSA microfilm roll C12778. | 1857 Missouri state census, St. Louis Co., wd. 2, pop. sch., unpaginated (p. 6 of ward 2), for Adolphus Eichelberger. | Missouri. St. Louis County. 1857 state census, population schedule. Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City. MSA microfilm C12778, Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, Missouri. |
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| Local Census with index | [Compiler or author (Given name Surname)], [Title], vol. [number]([Publication city], [Publication state]: [Publisher], [year published]), [page number], [Name of person]. [Comments or details describing the setup or contents of the publication]. | [Compiler or author (Surname only], [Title], [volume number]: [page number]. | [Compiler or author (Surname, Given name)]. [Title]. Volume [number]. [Publication city], [Publication state]: [Publisher], [year published]. |
| Example | Dennis Northcott, 1845 Census of the City of St. Louis (partial) (St. Louis, Missouri: Missouri Historical Society, 1995), 90, Louis A. Benoist. [This contains a copy of the surviving portion of the 1845 census of the city of St. Louis with an index]. | Northcott,1845 Census of the City of St. Louis (partial), 90. | Northcott, Dennis. 1845 census of the City of St. Louis (partial). St. Louis, Missouri: Missouri Historical Society, 1995. |
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1 Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2007), 276.
2 Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997), 74.
Last modified: 30-Jun-2016 08:27