Free genealogy tool
Free Genealogy Citation Generator
A free Genealogy Citation Generator creates properly formatted source citations for census records, birth and death certificates, marriage indexes, gravestones, and online databases. Pick a record type, fill in the known details, and copy out a full Evidence Explained-style citation, a short research note, and a bibliography entry.
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Live citations
U.S. / Federal CensusFull citation
census, population schedule.
Use in footnotes or endnotes. Evidence Explained-style first reference.
Research note
[year] census.
Short version for your research log or to-do list.
Bibliography entry
[year] U.S. Census. population schedule
Use in the Sources or Works Cited section of a book or report.
How to cite a u.s. / federal census
Census citations identify the year, jurisdiction, schedule, enumeration district, sheet, and family - then point to where you accessed the image and the original microfilm.
Step 1
Pick the record type
Choose the kind of record you are citing - census, birth certificate, gravestone, online database, and more.
Step 2
Fill in the known fields
Enter the details you know from the record. Empty fields are skipped automatically without breaking the citation.
Step 3
Copy the formatted citation
Copy the full Evidence Explained-style citation, the short research note, or the bibliography entry with one click.
Why citations matter in genealogy
A genealogical conclusion is only as strong as the sources behind it. A clear citation lets another researcher - or a future version of you - find the exact same record, evaluate the evidence, and decide whether the conclusion holds. Without citations, even careful research turns into folklore.
Evidence Explained-style citations also force you to look at the source critically: which record did you actually see, what does it say, what is its relationship to the original, and where can it be found again? That discipline is what separates a hobbyist tree from research a court, lineage society, or publisher will accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Evidence Explained citation style?
Evidence Explained is the genealogy gold standard developed by Elizabeth Shown Mills. It defines a layered citation that points to the specific source, the original record it derives from, and where you accessed it, so any researcher can retrace your work.
Do I need to cite Ancestry.com or FamilySearch?
Yes. When you find a record on a database site you must cite both the underlying record (the census, the certificate) and the database where you viewed the digital image, including the URL and the date you accessed it.
What's the difference between a source citation and a research note?
A full source citation is the formal, complete reference you put in footnotes or endnotes. A research note is a short shorthand version you use in your own research log so you can find the same record again quickly.
Can I use this for a published family history book?
Yes. The citations follow Evidence Explained conventions, which are the standard for published genealogical writing. Always double check details against your original source before publishing.
How do I cite a gravestone or cemetery record?
Cite the cemetery name, its location, the person whose marker you photographed or transcribed, the photographer or contributor, the date, and any online memorial ID and URL. Pick the Gravestone record type above for a ready-to-copy template.
More Family Roots tools
Free tools that pair well with sourced family research.
Free Cousin Relationship Calculator
Once you have a cited record, use it to confirm exactly how two relatives are connected.
Surname Origin Lookup
Research the etymology and origin of any surname you find in your sourced records.
Generation Timeline Builder
Place your sourced ancestors on a timeline to see how their lives overlapped.
Family Tree Maker
Build a tree where every fact links back to the source citation that proves it.
Track your family tree with sources at Family Roots
Stop pasting citations into a spreadsheet. Family Roots lets you attach source citations directly to every fact, person, and event in your tree - so the proof is always one click away.