Footnotes are references to supplemental information about the text and can include citations to documents or secondary sources the author consulted in his research. Each note is given a number, which is embedded within the text of the book. The numbers correspond to either a Notes section in the back of the book or a footnote at the bottom of the page on which the text appears. The information presented in footnotes provides connections for locating new information sources. If an author mentions a citation in a footnote that is related to your research, follow up on it, locate the source, and examine it.
Tracking footnotes is an integral part of the research process.
By jumping from citations in footnotes to the sources they refer to, you will uncover vital pieces of information related to your research that you may not find elsewhere. The Massachusetts Historical Society. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions.