Census Recordshttp://ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2046.asp

First census was taken 1790 then every 10 years since.

Webster’s dictionary states that a

census is “a periodic governmental

enumeration of a population.”

Census records value Were created for different purposes. The 1880 was

needed to see how many people would be on Social Security

The government never intended the Census records to be used for genealogy

They are a boon to genealogists. They contain many pieces of data that can help you to locate your ancestors

Few other records give us better leads to find our ancestors

Availability of censuses Genealogical library Most public libraries Ancestry.com (pay site) see actual census records Heritage Quest see actual census records, (Free

with public library card) http://www.slco.lib.ut.us/database_heritage.htm

Family Tree Maker (pay site) buy CD’s Buy CD sets of census schedules 1930 census is the most recent one available

What is on a Census From 1790 to 1840 there were very few questions,

limiting the value of the records Since 1850 the number and scope of the questions

changed Names, ages, gender, occupation, head of house hold,

place of abode, education, nationality, native tongue, citizenship

1920 census had 29 questions asked of each household Each census has different information, be familiar with

each and what it has to offer

Privacy laws prohibit, public view for 72 years after the census is taken.

Samples of a few census schedules can be found at

www.familysearch.org , search tab, research helps, sort by document type, find the year of census you want

Soundex Codes Soundex is the most important piece of the puzzle.

Surnames reduced to 4 character code Cyndislist.com and use the soundex converter.

Then you do not need to know the rules Use the PAF program: tools, Soundex Code Rules: Keep the first letter, but remove all remaining

vowels and the letters H, W, and Y. Example: Willard would be WLLRD

Keep the first letter but remove one consonant from any double. Example: WLRD

Remember all vowels and the letters H, W, and Y are not considered at all

Use the coding guide for the last 3 letters

B, F, P, V = 1

C, G, J, K, Q, S, X, Z = 2

D,T = 3

L = 4

M, N = 5

R = 6Willard would now be W463 in the soundex system

Take the name Jones and create a soundex number JNS = J520

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/3916/soundex.html

Surname to Soundex Converter

Converts English alphabet only

Soundex was used by the National Archives to index the U.S. censuses. It codes together surnames that sound similar but have different spellings.

Sample of Cyndi’s list converter

Preparations before using a census Write down as many facts as you know about the family Spell family name as it appears. Think of as many name

variations as you can. Convert to Soundex Use a census template, these can be found at

familysearch.org (instructions on slide 5), Ancestry.com (my trees, go to bottom right of screen), genealogy.com (http://genealogy.com/genealogy/00000061.html)

Ancestry Census forms

http://www.ancestry.com/trees/charts/census.aspx Call the library ahead of time to find out what they have

available Know the state and county that you are searching. Keep

in mind that you may need to check neighboring counties

Keep in mind the following tips: Verify information Make a hard copy (hand copy, scan, use a

digital camera or zerox, etc) Document in your research log Follow up on any clues you learn from the

census

Final note:Census research can be the most rewarding

but it can be the most boring and frustrating. Be prepared for both.

“Don’t worry about learning how to do it. If you’ll just do it, you’ll learn how!”

Richard G. Scott