All the gold in the census

Katie Derby

[email protected]

All the Gold in the Census

FederalChurchColonialIndianSchoolState Territorial

Census Types in the US

PopulationAgriculturalDefectiveIndianInstitutionsManufacturing/IndustrialMerchant SeamenMilitary/Naval ForcesMortalitySlaveSocial StatisticsVeterans

Federal Census Schedules

Every decade since 1790Many early (pre 1850) returns missingAlmost entire 1890 set of returns destroyedMore genealogically significant from 1850

US Population Schedule

Family Search.orgHeritageQuest.comAncestry.com

Online Locations

Image qualitySearch returnsSearch algorithmsAvailability

What to Compare

Start with youngest relative who was alive in 1930

Build your pedigree chart as you trace ancestor in the census.

Follow each family member’s entire life in the census

Build a timeline using census entries as framework

Fill in timeline with other sources alluded to in the census

Finally expand search with all sources

Census-based Research Method

Use a mapRead local historiesConsider historical eventsAlternate spellings

Tips for Tracking in the Census

RelocationDeathDivorce/SeparationRemarriageInstitutionalizedMilitaryTravelYoung Adult moved outAdolescent entered apprenticeship or hired

out

When an Individual is Missing

Travel: check relatives, former residencesMissed: search page by page, neighbor

search, dwelling searchRelocation: expand searchAlternate Spellings: Google to find alternate

spellings, search under given names, neighbor search

Alternate Head of Household: maiden name, other relative surnames, remarried

When Household is Missing

Analyze each question for clues to other records

Use census info to narrow search timeframes and locations

Using Census to Find Other Records

WealthSocial ClassOccupationEducationLocationNeighborhoodHome OwnershipSize of HouseholdSlave Ownership

Social Information from Census

Homeownership rateImmigration/Emigration rateAgesHousehold number VS dwelling numberPopulation densityOccupationsRacesLiteracy rate

Neighborhood Information

1910 Demo

1870 Demo

Presentation available online at

genquery.com

Katie Quick [email protected]