My reply is directed to the readers who are rather new to genealogy, not the more advanced, who do things right.
When I began doing genealogy over 20 years ago, I knew little about sources, other than putting the title of the book, page number, author's name, publisher and date. There were many times I forgot, and every once and a while, I come across a surname without a source. Many of my sourcing shouldn't be used as a guide. However, most of my book sources should be okay, but my censuses are totally wrong. So wrong, that I've had a lot of compliments about my method! In my early days, I entered information for family members, and didn't follow the "proper" or "correct" guidelines.
I sourced my way so distant cousins could see and understand what is on the census. Simple things like name and age. An example of how I did it and still do is shown for my grandfather in the 1930 census:
"1930 U.S. Census for Evanston, Cook Co., Illinois. Dist. 2113, sheet 33, Pg. 221. Clarence Poole, age 39 b. Ill., attorney (parents b. DC and Mass.); Marjorie age 39 b. Mich. (parents b. Michigan). Note: Clarence and Marjorie married at age 27. Children: John age 10 and Judy age 7 (both born Illinois). Roma Schneider age 25 (maid), b. Wisconsin. This was indexed as Coole by Ancestry.com." My aunt and her brother, and my cousins can understand this, it is cut and dry, and I believe they could locate this census page, perhaps with a little help. Note: Sometimes I type in the occupation, immigration date and anything else I think might be important.
The correct way is something like this: Illinois. Cook County. 1930 U.S. census, population schedule. Digital images. Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com : 2005. From National Archives microfilm T9, roll 535. If you do a full reference, it would be much longer, still with little family information other than the head of household's name.
Books have been published on how to do sourcing, and I would be glad to point you in the right direction, if you write me.
If you are hoping to become a professional and want others to admire your work, you should do it the "right" way. But, if you are doing genealogy as a hobby, and want others to understand it, you will need to decide which way to go.
So Freda, I do have time to write, and my reply to you is a huge thank you because your letter became the perfect platform for which I was able to write this blog.
"Hi Barbara,
I realize you don't have time to respond, but I just wanted to tell you how much I respect your references! I have never seem them done so well!
I am researching people in the Eastern Townships.
(There was more to the letter.) Take Care!
Freda"