3 Resources to Improve Your Census Research

   

3 Resources to Improve Your Census Research for Better Results

Census records are one of the fundamental record sets that genealogists, both beginner and experienced, use for family history research. The U.S. Federal Census is taken every 10 years and may contain detailed personal information about your ancestor and their family members. 

Beyond personal information such as the location of where your ancestor lived, age, marital status and race, a census record may provide you with the language spoken, country of origin and any military participation. In addition to the Federal Census, many states performed a census on the fifth year between the Federal Census. 

Knowing what census information is available for the time frame and location you are researching can lead to additional, valuable details, such as on an agricultural census. The U.S. Federal Census should be your first step, but it shouldn't be your only step in census research.

I've selected three resources that provide greater detail into the census overall as well as more specific information in the 1910 census and information on those other census records we might not immediately think to review.

Using the Census in Genealogy Research - From the New York Public Library

 

This is an overview post, containing background on the census as well as some pro tips to maximize your searching.

What Is the 1910 Census Telling You About Your Ancestor? - From Lisa Lisson

Not all census are created equal. This post details the information available specific to the 1910 census.

Don't Neglect The Other Census Records - From Amy Johnson Crow

If you are unable to find your person(s) in the U.S. Federal Census, consider the options covered in this post. 




These 3 posts are just a start to get your census research moving forward to begin seeing the results you need to move your research forward.


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One Step That Will Improve Your Census Research

Use the instructions to your advantage

They were my family all along but until I read the instructions the facts didn't support that conclusion.

Ancestry Provides Source and Detailed Information for their Record Sets

It's up to us, the researcher, to take advantage of the valuable information that is available regarding the record sets we access. Time and time again, lecture after lecture, session after session we are told "familiarize yourself with the record sets you are working with." In order to correctly draw conclusions, you have to know what the records are saying and how they are saying it.

The longer I spend performing genealogy research the more I understand how valuable that advice is. Now, thanks to a more studious fellow researcher, I am a total believer. You know that saying "you buy em books and you buy em books but you can't make em read them"? That's me, I wasn't reading more than the covers.

Reading the Enumerators Instructions Can Eliminate Frustration

Ancestry.com. 1841 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.

Henry, Jane, James, Esther, Thomas and Sarah were together as a family unit in the 1841 England Census, right where I expected them to be in Mile End New Town. However, I couldn't get past the ages listed, some were wrong. This looked like my family but the parents were too young to be my family, or so I thought.

There was my Brimson family right where they were supposed to be

Thankfully, a fellow Brimson researcher did read the instructions and pointed out to me that the enumerators were instructed to round the ages down to the nearest 5 years. Why? What sense that makes I have no idea but it is what it is. No matter the reason, if I too round down to the nearest 5 years, this Brimson family becomes my Brimson family.

It is now time to go back and read the instructions, all of them.

Getting Ready for the 1940 Census - Video 4

The National Archives has made available a series of videos for the 1940 census.                      This is video 4 Census of Agriculture.

Watch Video 3 here.

Getting Ready for the 1940 Census - Video 3

The National Archives has made available a series of videos for the 1940 Census.                       This is Video 3 Census of Housing.

Watch Video 2 here.

Getting Ready for the 1940 Census - Video 2

The National Archives has made available a series of videos for the 1940 census.                         This is Video 2 Census of Population.

Watch Video 1 here.

Getting Ready for the 1940 Census - Video 1

The National Archives has made available a series of videos relating to the 1940 census.   This is video 1 Introduction to the 1940 Census

Susan Allen is missing in 1920

Susan Hart Allan/Allen has been a challenge to work on. I have evidence, although, not to the proof standard that she is my 2nd Great Grandmother. Part of my evidence is a recurring address: 3429 Flora Avenue in Kansas City MO. In 1910 and 1930 I can find a Susan Allen enumerated at this address. I also have my Great Grandfather's WWI Draft card (1918) listing Susan Allen at 3429 Flora Avenue in Kansas City MO as his nearest relative. My Great Grandfather's death certificate lists a Suelda Hart as his mother. Lastly I have a death certificate for Susan Hart Allen at 3429 Flora. While I continue to try to nail down this relationship I'm curious as to where Susan was in 1920. When I pull up the 1920 census for 3429 Flora an unknown family is living there. Is it odd that Susan would live there move away and then move back to the same house 20 years later?