Preferred Citations

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The University Archives' List of Preferred Citations Formats

These examples cannot cover all possible citation needs, but the logic of the following formats can be adapted to other citation requirements. The purpose of a citation is to identify clearly the source used so another researcher may locate it. Include the basic information: item description, date, box and folder numbers, collection title, and University Archives, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Add to this as needed for special cases. Consult standard sources as the Chicago Manual of Style. If you have any questions, the archives staff will be glad to provide assistance. Please email us using our Web Reference Form.


Correspondence

General formula:
Writer to receiver, date, box, folder, record group, Collection, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Example of a citation for correspondence:
Ralph Epstein to Thomas Norton, 3 March 1937, Box 5, Folder 12, 27/F/832, Ralph C. Epstein Papers, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.


Minimum citation (for display purposes):
Collection, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo
Example of a minimum citation for display of correspondence:
Elizabeth Olmstead Smith Papers, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.

Photographs

General formula:
Descriptive information, date if known, box, folder, record group, Collection, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Example of a citation for a photograph:
Photo of A.B. Lemon and others, c. 1910, Box 1, Folder 1, 36/3/535, A.B. Lemon Papers, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.


Minimum citation (for display purposes):
Collection, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Example of a minimum citation for display:
A.B. Lemon Papers, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.

Other items in the document collections

General formula:
Item, date, box, folder, record group, collection, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Example of a citation for a scrapbook:
Scrapbook, c. 1915-1950, MS 32, Camp Fire Girls of Buffalo and Erie County records, 1913-1974, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.

Microfilm editions of originals

General formula:
Item, date, microfilm edition, reel, Microfilm and originals at University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Example of a citation for microfilm:
Newspaper article, date, Biel's microfilm 1974, reel 1, mf 15, Julian Park Scrapbooks, Microfilm and originals at University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.

Websites

General formula
Item/Page Title, additional information about form, publication date [if known], University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo. Web address (retrieval date).
Example of a citation of a website
Helen Lyman, "Women's Work: a tribute to the women who make UB work," Exhibit, 28 September 2005, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo. http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/archives/womens_work/lyman.htm (15 November 2005).

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University Archives 420 Capen Hall - Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716-645-2916 -- Fax: 716-645-3714
Email: lib-archives@buffalo.edu
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/archives/citation.html
Last updated 15 November 2005
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