Suggestions for Citing NARA Microfilm of Captured German Records

Suggestions for Citing National Archives Microfilm of Captured German and Related Records

Because of the great variety and complexity of archival material, there are no convenient models that apply to all records. The initial citation, however, might consist of the following elements, as applicable: item, file unit or subseries, series title, originating office (and its higher administrative office), name of collection or record group number and title, and depository. Except for placing the cited item first, there is no general agreement on the sequence of the remaining elements in the citation. Publishers, professional journals and graduate faculties all prescribe their own styles. Whatever sequence is adopted should be used consistently throughout the same work, however. If in doubt, the researcher should confer with an archivist regarding elements necessary to cite records adequately.

Microfilm Publications

Citations of records reproduced in National Archives microfilm publications should generally provide the same information suggested above, to include publication, roll and frame numbers, as applicable. The following examples suggest possible initial and subsequent citations of the same document for each of five major microfilm projects reproducing captured German and related records.

1. Captured Records Microfilmed at Alexandria, Virginia

   Initial Citation: Cds/Amt IVA1, Ereignismeldung UdSSR, Nr. 194, 20 April 1942, EAP 173-a-10/22a, National Archives Microfilm Publication T175, roll 235, frame 2724202.
   Subsequent Citations: Ereignismeldung UdSSR, Nr. 194, T175/235/2724209-10.

   Initial Citation: I. AK, Ia, "KTB Nr. 2," Aug.-Oct. 1939, E201/1, National Archives Microfilm Publication T314, roll 34, first frame 389.
   Subsequent Citations: KTB 2, Aug. 17, 1939, T314/34/397.

   Item numbers such as EAP 173-a-10/22a or OKW 1015 are optional and serial numbers are unnecessary. Frames are sometimes unnumbered.

2. Foreign Ministry Archives and Records of the Reichskanzlei filmed at Whaddon Hall.

   Initial Citation: Ambassador in Madrid (Stohrer) to Foreign Ministry, Berlin, Dec. 9, 1940, German Foreign Ministry Archives, Serial 136, frames D674515-516; National Archives
   Microfilm Publication T120, roll 146.
   Subsequent Citations: Stohrer to GFM, 136/D674518, T120/146.

   Initial Citation: "Verwaltung besetzter Gebiete in Serbien, 15.11.16-31.7.17," SA Reel 83, National Archives Microfilm Publication T136, roll 83, frames 17-24.
   Subsequent Citations: SA/T136/83/19.

   The serial number is the essential identification, whether the serial is of the interchangeable, unlettered, or H serials, or of the B, C, F, K, L or M serials. The terms "reel", "container" or "roll" are acceptable variations; "roll" is the term preferred by the National Archives. When citing the Tripartite Project microfilm, NA Microfilm Publication T120, it is imperative to distinguish between serial and roll numbers. The four-volume Catalog of Files and Microfilm of the German Foreign Ministry Archives, 1920-1945 has a serial-roll conversion list as a supplement for each volume. The Public Record Office (PRO) in London uses the same serial and frame numbers, though not always the same roll numbers, and the microfilm publication symbols GFM 2-5 instead of T120 for the Tripartite Project. The other Whaddon Hall microfilm projects use the same roll and serial numbers, as the "SA" (Saint Antony's College Project) serial example shown above indicates. The National Archives has substituted a microfilm publication number for project symbols.

3. Records from the German Naval Archives microfilmed by the United States Navy, Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) at the Admiralty, London.

   Initial Citation: "Schlachtschiff 'Bismarck' nachträglich entzifferte englische Funksprüche," 23.5. - 27.5.1941, PG 47893, National Archives Microfilm Publication T1022, roll 2791.
   Subsequent Citation: "Schlachtschiff 'Bismarck'," T1022/2791/PG 47893.

   Initial Citation: "Seeschlacht vor dem Skagerrak," 31.5. - 1.6.1916, Az. Kr. Op. Nordsee 61, PG 64808-64813; National Archives Microfilm Publication T1022, rolls 347-348 and 443-445.
   Subsequent Citations: "Seeschlacht von dem Skagerrak," T1022/347-348, 443-445/PG 64808-64813.

   The PG number is the essential record item number; NARA Microfilm Publication T1022 plus the roll number is sufficient for identification. The original U.S. Navy microfilm designations, e.g. "T-1" or "TA-1" for each roll have been replaced by the T1022 roll number. There are no frame numbers in this microfilm publication.

4. Heeresarchiv-Potsdam Records Microfilmed at the National Archives.

   Initial Citation: Groener to Alarich von Gleich, Papers of General Wilhelm Groener (Groener Nachlass), Bundesarchiv-Koblenz, National Archives Microfilm Publication M137, roll 7. Subsequent Citations: Groener to Gleich, M137/7.

5. National Archives Microfilm of Nuernberg War Crimes Trial Records.

   Initial Citation: OB Südost to HGr E, "Operation Kreuzotter," 13 Aug 1944, item NOKW- 089, National Archives Microfilm Publication T1119, roll 2, frames 17-19.
   Subsequent Citations: OB Südost to HGr E, 13 Aug. 44, T1119/2/17.

   Initial Citation: Indication, United States of America v. Otto Ohlendorf, et. al. (Case 9), Transcript of Proceedings, Sep. 15, 1947, vol. 1, p. 4, National Archives Microfilm Publication M895, roll 2, frame 0005.
   Subsequent Citations: Case 9, Transcript, Sep. 15, 1947, vol. 1, p. 4, M895/2/0005.

The bibliography format should include the National Archives record group number, title, and the number and title of the microfilm publication, e.g.,

National Archives Collection of World War II War Crimes Records (Nuernberg), Record Group 238, United States of America v. Otto Ohlendorf, et. al. (Case 9), Microfilm Publication M895, 38 rolls.

National Archives Collection of Foreign Records Seized, 1941- , Record Group 242, Records of the Reich Ministry of Economics, Microfilm Publication T71, 148 rolls.

The National Archives appreciates receiving copies of books or articles based wholly or in part on the records in its custody. Such copies may be sent to the National Archives Library, Room 2380, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.