The examples listed below cannot cover all possible citation needs, but the logic of the following formats may be adapted to varying requirements. The purpose of a citation is to identify clearly the source used so other researchers may locate it. Therefore, all citations should include such basic information as: type of record, names of parties involved, item description, date, collection title, Record Group (RG) number, box/volume number, folder/page number and the name of the Archives of Michigan. One may modify this list as special cases necessitate. If you have any questions, the reference staff will be able to offer assistance. (Note: Citations below are examples only and do not refer to any existing records.)

Diary:

Mary Jones diary, 4 October 1885, Sam Smith Papers, MS 67-41, Box 1, Folder 4, Archives of Michigan, Lansing.

Field Notebook:

Frank Brotherton Field Notebook, 1 September 1885, Baraga County, Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey Division, RG-81 69, Box 1, Volume 1, Archives of Michigan, Lansing.

Letter or Memo:

Sam Brown to Janet Kraft, 17 September 1902, Education Department, Executive Division, RG 74-08, Box 7, Folder 4, Archives of Michigan, Lansing.

Map/Architectural Drawing:

Map of Eaton County, Charlotte: Saywer Publishing Company, 1901. Case 615, Drawer 7, Folder 15, Archives of Michigan, Lansing.

Microfllm/Microflche:

Index to County Plats, Ingham County, Welcome Subdivision, RG 6852, Reel 97, Archives of Michigan, Lansing.

Newspaper Clipping:

"Man Eats Two Pies in One Minute." Article from the Lansing State Journal, 5 June 1952. Dawn Doaks Papers, MS 91-42, Box 7, Folder 3, Archives of Michigan.

Patient/Inmate Card:

Samuel Smith, Prisoner Index, RG 87-42, Cabinet 21907, Drawer 17, Archives of Michigan, Lansing.

Photograph:

Credit line should read: Negative 00756, Archives of Michigan, Lansing.

Publication:

Gilman, Dale S. "The Michigan-Ohio Boundary Dispute." Michigan History Magazine, vol. 7, no. 4 (May/June 1942): 17-23.

Volume:

Ledger, 1915, Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company Papers, MS 68-54, Liber 7, Page 44, Archives of Michigan, Lansing.

Click Archives of Michigan to visit the Archives of Michigan home page.

Archives of Michigan
Michigan Library and Historical Center
702 W. Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI 48913
Phone: (517) 373-1408
E-mail: archives@michigan.gov

Updated 11/06/2006

Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
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