Citing Sources - Quick Reference Card

As any genealogist who has been working on their family history for a while will tell you, citing your sources is of utmost importance.  I have experience first-hand the problems created when others did not.  One example is the 5-generation chart I inherited from my grandfather.  It has names, some dates and general places for up to 3 generations of his ancestors, as well as his children's names, spouses and his first two grandchildren (only my cousin and I were born prior to his death).

It is a treasure to have this information and most of it is proving true, however it is not sourced.  Therefore, I have to go through a lot of searching to find information he had gotten first hand from relatives.

Please do not make your descents redo the research you have done.  Properly cite your sources on all forms you have.  If you need information on citing, Thomas MacEntree at GeneaBloggers has created a quick reference card.  Also, pick up either of Elizabeth Shown Mills source citation books and you can use a source writer, such as the one available on Legacy.