Citing Archival Material
There is no single correct way to cite material discovered in the Tufts Archival Research Center. Here are some tips along with examples to get you started. You should always defer to your instructor’s or publisher’s directions. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Public Services and Outreach Archivist.
Citation elements
When citing a particular record within an archival collection, keep in mind that at the very least you will want to include the creator/author, ‘title’ of collection, call number, location (box and folder number or URL), and the repository in which you found the material.
Remember: The goal of your citation is to provide a road map for other researchers to retrace your footsteps.
The following elements may be included:
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Creator/Author
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Collection name
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Series title
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Box and/or Folder title
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Item title or other identifying information
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Item ID
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Citable URL (as applicable)
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Repository (Tufts Archival Research Center, Tufts University)
Examples
For a physical photograph:
Photographer. Title of Photograph. Date of photograph. Item ID. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA.
Example: Unknown. College Athlete of the Year. 1971. UA046.003.032.00017. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA.
For a digital photograph:
Photographer. Title of Photograph. Date of photograph. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA. Citable URL (accessed date).
Example: Munro, Melville S. 1938. Tufts freshman Edward ‘Eddie’ Dugger, at Tufts College, May 4, 1938. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA. http://hdl.handle.net/10427/912 (accessed January 15, 2019).
For an entire collection:
Name of collection. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA.
Example: Atomic Veterans Records. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA.
For an item in a collection:
Name of collection. Series title. Folder title. Title or identifying information. Item ID. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA.
Example: Office of the President Records. Alonzo Ames Miner, records, 1842-1939. Prohibition. Letter April 15, 1867 from George H. Emerson. UA001.002.001.00001. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA.