When I press the cite button....

+2 votes
120 views
I understand the 'type between <ref>type here</ref> but when I do so it just gives a seemingly clickable number that when clicked doesn't show anything, nor does it 'show under the references area' like the instructions say.  I'm very frustrated and I know this is likely a simple answer but I haven't found it yet.  I would like to cite the sources I have found and grow my tree so it connects, but I can't until I can source properly.  But right now the best I can do is a very clumsy textual 'here is the information' rather than the style that is needed.  Please help?
WikiTree profile: Pat Sandor
in WikiTree Help by Erin Warren G2G Rookie (200 points)
Thank you.  I figured it out.  I didn't realize the reference had to be above the line, etc.  Growing pains.  :)
Yay! Looks good!

1 Answer

+6 votes
Erin, you will only get the number until you actually put the source citation between the <ref> and the </ref>. Because of the privacy level of the profile you linked, I cannot tell what you put between the two tags or if there is perhaps another issue.
by Nelda Spires G2G6 Pilot (554k points)

Thank you, I appreciate the answer.  I have changed the privacy on it so it should be able to be seen.  But just in case being unable to edit won't show you what you need to see, this is what is written.  

== Biography ==

Patricia was born in 1926. She passed away about 2019. 

<ref>

Personal recollection of events witnessed by [[McCurry-540|Erin (McCurry) Warren]] as remembered 28 Jul 2020.

</ref>

== Sources ==

<references />

<ref> https://1940census.archives.gov/  input: Michigan Enumeration District 86-153  found on line 62 </ref>

Okay, put your second reference above the == Sources == line, just behind whatever bit of information you want that citation to go with, and that should do it.

Either put the citation inside the ref in the Biography or just as a bulleted item after references. You don't need the ref after references. If you have ref in the biography the citation will appear after references 

See https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Sources#How_to_Add_Sources_to_Profiles

You can experiment and preview the profile. Hope this helps.

Hey Nelda, we cross posted but you type faster.
P.S. <ref> and </ref> are never used below the Sources heading, only above. If you ever have a source that's just a general source and you don't want to use it to source any particular bit(s) of information, put it under the Sources heading without the tags. If you'll start that source with a * (asterisk) it will create a bullet which will help separate where one source ends and the next begins if you have more than one in the list.

It really does get easier. It's wonderful to see someone trying to do it right. Hang in there and welcome to WikiTree!

Related questions

+4 votes
1 answer
+6 votes
0 answers
+4 votes
1 answer
+12 votes
4 answers
218 views asked Dec 5, 2016 in The Tree House by Anne B G2G Astronaut (1.3m points)
+35 votes
3 answers
+12 votes
4 answers
+5 votes
1 answer

WikiTree  ~  About  ~  Help Help  ~  Search Person Search  ~  Surname:

disclaimer - terms - copyright

...