Kathie, the <references /> (please note that it ends with space, slash, greater-than-sign) tag is not required to be directly under the ==Sources== heading to work correctly. It will work correctly as long as it is below all citations that have been entered enclosed in <ref> … </ref> tag sets.
The way it works is that wherever the <references /> tag is placed is the position on the view page where all source citations that were enclosed in <ref> …</ref> tag sets above it in the text area will be displayed. Because the page is compiled for display in "top down" fashion, if there are any <ref>...citation...</ref> tag sets below the <references /> tag then they will not be displayed.
As a result, it is good advice to say that the <references /> tag should be the last thing on the page to ensure that all tagged citations will be displayed. For a reason I cannot fathom, WikiTree has specified that the <references /> tag is to be placed immediately below the ==Sources== heading. This has caused a few thousand profile I had created prior to the implementation of that wording to be non-compliant, because my preference has been to keep all citations in one place in order to improve readability and work efficiency of the edit page and the most logical place, to my thinking, is immediately below the ==Sources== heading, with the <references /> tag below the last citation. I have since changed my style to place all the citations in a location that is not in violation of WikiTree policy, although significantly less efficient for me to work, but I have not taken the time and trouble to revisit the myriad profiles I developed to bring them into compliance with the rule that was implemented after they were created.