Citing Archival Sources in a Paper
There is no universal rule to cite archival sources, because each source is unique and the collection it belongs to is unique too. However, there are general guidelines.
All citations in footnotes should include:
- author (if known)
- title of source or brief description
- date
- location information: box number and file/folder number or name; name of collection and repository
All citations in a bibliography should include:
- author (if known)
- collection name
- repository
(for bibliographies, information about the specific items consulted is not necessary).
To format the citations, use style manuals such as the Chicago Manual of Style or the Turabian Manual.
Note that in these manuals there is no section devoted to primary sources. The type of citation you choose must be appropriate to the format in which the source has been published. Sources such as manuscript collections, pamphlets, audiovisual materials, legislative and executive documents, and so forth should be listed accordingly in whatever citation manual you choose to consult.
Most archives also provide a model citation for each source. It may not correspond exactly to the format you need, but it can help you understand what information needs to be provided. Be sure to consult the archivist and archives staff for specific information about model citations.
Want more detailed information about citing archival sources?
Click here to view our guide to learn how to cite various types of archival sources in a research paper.
