Skip to Main Content

Bluebook 101

Basic information for getting started with The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation

Rule 23: Archival Sources

22nd Edition WHITE PAGES NEW Rule 23
Rule Rule Subject Change Explanation
23 Archival Sources NEW rule regarding materials found in archives

The rule itself states that it applies to "(1) historical documents created before the internet era, (2) documents where a digital file no longer exists, and (3) physical objects," prioritizing transparency for readers as to where these archival materials are located. Provides general guidance for references to these materials, supplementing the rules already provided by Rules 15, 16, and 17. General requirement is for a citation to include:

[Author], [Optional Author Title], [Document Title], [pincite], [(date)], (on file with [Archive Owner], [Archival Collection], [Archival Location].

23.2 Archival Sources: Author Author entries match other BB rules, with addition of how to cite to letters, memoranda, and press releases

Signed documents: Roman type, full attribution.

Unsigned documents: Omit author unless verified.

Pen names: Use as written.

Letters/memos: Follow Rule 17.2.3’s formal structure.
23.3 Archival Sources: Title Rule for how to format titles of archival documents and objects Reproduce the full title exactly as it appears, including articles, without abbreviations.
For sources with no formal title, create a concise, objective descriptor in Roman type.
23.4 Archival Sources: Institutional Affiliation Rule for how to format institutional affiliate for authors of archival documents and objects Required only when a document was prepared for a specific institution and is not archived with that institution--institutional affiliation must be added for clarity, with abbreviations according with the various abbreviation tables.
23.5 Archival Sources: Date Rule for dates in citations to archival documents and objects Prioritizes exact dates when available. Obscured/impossible to read dates should indicate "n.d." in a parenthetical. If the date can be estimated from context or from outside documents, it may be added with the prefix "c." (circa).
23.6 Archival Sources: Archival Information Rule for how to present information about an archive where archived document or object is housed Three elements: (1) Archive owner (name of the institution owning the archive); (2) Archival collection (name of the archive); (3) Archival location (the filing location within the archive). Call numbers should be used as a last resort for identifying location.
23.7 Archival Sources: Cases Rule for Justice's papers and other case documents housed within an archive
COMPONENT JUSTICE'S PAPERS OTHER CASE DOCUMENTS
Author "Justice [Name]" or staff position Varies by document type
Case Reference Name + docket only Full case citation
Court Info Implied for U.S. Supreme Court, otherwise necessary Explicit jurisdiction required
Admin Matters N/A Agency + case number + state abbrev

23.8 Archival Sources: pre-1900 Newspapers Rule for how to cite 19th century and older newspapers that are available digitally Use rule 16.6 if the newspaper appears within a catalogued archival database and append with a standard archive parenthetical. If the database only exists online with no physical equivalent, use a URL of the exact location of the archival location.
23.9 Archival Sources: Databases Reprinting Primary Sources Rule for materials that were originally unpublished but are now available digitally
COMPONENT FORMAT
Author/Title Standard Rule 17 format
Reprint Signal "reprinted by"
Database Info Owner (small caps) + Name
URL Include + Perma.cc if available

23.10 Archival Sources: Handwritten and Typewritten Documents Rule regarding materials that are handwritten or typewritten with changes to the text

Prioritizes clarity while preserving the original document’s integrity. Use ellipses/strikethrough only when directly relevant. Specifics:

Scenario Formatting Rule
Standard handwritten Roman type (no italics/underline)
Intentional cursive Italics
Strikethrough in quote If using for purposes of indicating that the text was struck, use deleted materials with the text struck through. If not referring to the fact of the strike through, the quote can be included without reference to the struck materials.
Illegible text [text] with "(unintelligible text omitted)" appended to the end of the citation.

23.11 Archival Sources: Tangible Objects Rule for citing to objects that are housed in an archive.
COMPONENT FORMAT
Author Omit
Title As the Archive provides. If missing critical info about the nature of the object, add that to the title. Add if the object is "of a nature... where the creator of the object is both known and relevant, include it. 
Date When known, date of the object's creation
Possessor of the Object NOT to be included in the author field. Where this info is relevant, include via explanatory parenthetical, textual sentence, or the title of the citation.
Otherwise, this rule uses the provisions found earlier in this rule.