Why Source Citations Matter

As family historians, we spend countless hours searching for records, analysing evidence, and building our family trees. But one of the most important parts of the research process is often overlooked—recording exactly where our information came from.

A good source citation allows you to return to the original record whenever you need to check a detail or review your conclusions. It also enables others to verify your research and assess the evidence for themselves. Whether you’re sharing your work with relatives, publishing a family history, or submitting research to a genealogy society, clear citations add credibility to your work.

Without proper citations, even the most exciting discoveries can lose their value. A birth date copied from a website or a photograph saved without recording its source may be difficult—or even impossible—to verify years later. Accurate citations help preserve your research and ensure that future generations can build upon it with confidence.

Many genealogists know they should cite their sources but find the process difficult or time-consuming. With so many different record types, it’s not always easy to remember the correct format or what information should be included.

That’s where Cite-Builder can help.

Cite-Builder is a web-based citation generator designed specifically for genealogists. With more than 1000 templates covering a wide range of genealogical records, it guides users through the process of creating clear, consistent, and professional source citations. Simply choose a template, enter the details from your source, and your citation is generated automatically.

You can find Cite-Builder at https://cite-builder.com. You can use it for free, using the Basic version which provides access to about 40% of the templates.  There is also a Premium version which gives access to all the templates, plus powerful additional features.  An annual Premium subscription is only AUD $35 (approx. USD $24).

Whether you’re documenting census records, parish registers, newspapers, probate files, books, or online resources, Cite-Builder makes citation writing faster and easier, allowing you to spend more time discovering your family’s story—and ensuring those discoveries remain reliable for years to come.

To view the ACGS member discount code please go to our ACGS Partnership page and receive 20% off your first year’s Premium Membership to Cite-Builder.