Citing Materials

The goal of properly citing research sources is to enable researchers to locate the exact item that is being referenced.

The most basic information needed for citing a source from the MNHS collections includes:

  • Title
  • Creator
  • Date
  • Page numbers (when applicable)
  • Collection name

Do not include a location number or call number in your citation. These may change if a collection is moved, updated, or re-cataloged.

Citing archival and manuscript materials

The examples below have been created in the MLA citation style with the order of elements as follows:

Creator. Title or description. Date. Collection. Subcollection, series, or subseries. Box, folder, page number. Repository where the original is held (Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN).

Please refer to the finding aid and/or catalog record for collection details.

  • Document from a state institution
    Rochester State Hospital. Personal and Medical History of John Fielding. 1885. Rochester State Hospital Patient Case Books 1879-1903. Volume 6, page 87. Government Records. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN.
  • Document from a state agency, department, or commission
    Minnesota War Records Commission. Military Service Record, Henry Gaspard. Undated. World War I Military Service Records 1918-1920. World War I Military Service Questionnaires, Frauley – Gaston. Government Records. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN.
  • Document from legislative committee books
    Minnesota. Legislature. House of Representatives. Bill for House File No. 250. January 14, 1997. Legislature: House Committee Books 1878-1897, 1919-1998. 1997-1998, Judiciary Committee, DWI Subcommittee, Volume 1, Section 2 DWI- March 7, 1997. Government Records. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN.
  • Document from a collection of personal papers
    Pilliod, Jr., Charles. Letter to Eugene McCarthy. January 12, 1987. Eugene J. McCarthy Papers. Political and Campaign Files 1947-1994. Subject Files, Global Economic Action Institute 1986-1987. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN.
  • Document from a company, organization, or church’s records
    Northern Pacific Railway Company Advertising and Publicity Department. Untitled dining car photographs. ca. 1922-1925. Northern Pacific Railway Company Advertising and Publicity Department Records. Advertising Proofs 1922-1925, Folder 5, Sheet 37. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN.

Citing photographs

Enstrom, Louis. Cat in Doll Bed. ca. 1915. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN. Minneapolis Star and Tribune Company. 

Chimp with a Graflex Camera. 1937. Minneapolis and St. Paul Newspaper Negative Collection. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN.

Citing maps

Hennepin County (Minn.) Department of Public Works, Transportation Planning Section. Lake Minnetonka. Map. [ca. 1:32,000]. Hopkins, MN: Hennepin County Department of Public Works, Transportation Planning Section, 1992. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN.

Colton, J. H. (Joseph Hutchins). Colton’s Minnesota and Dakota. Map. [ca. 1:2,500,000]. New York: Johnson & Browning, c1855. Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN.

Other citation guides