Genealogy 101© Irvin C. Rabideau B.S., M.A., M.S.L.S., A.B.D

GENEALOGY 101 OCTOBER 3, 2015

Welcome to …. Your Speaker ….

Genealogy 101© Irvin C. Rabideau B.S., M.A., M.S.L.S., A.B.D.

Free Genealogy Handouts A Few Opening Remarks

http://waterford.lib.mi.us/content/genealogy-u- handouts • The Way Things Were • Change • Genealogy 101 (2014) • BiCBasic Comput er Skill s • pdf Format • Lecture Slides •Handouts • Check Year on File - 2014

A Few Opening Questions Why We Are Here

• Who Knows • Get You Started Doing Genealogy – The Names of Your 4 Grandparents? • What Year They Were Born? • Show You Correct Techniques • Where They Were Born? • Show You the Basic Sources • Where They Lived? • The Year & Place of Their Deaths? • Help Make Your Family History Search – The Names of Your 8 Great Grandparents? Successful • Where They Lived? • Where & When They Died? – The Names of Any Great Great Grandparents?

Getting Started Getting Started

• 4 BIG TIPS • Think of Yourself As A Newspaper – Start With Yourself Reporter When Doing Research – Never Skip a Generation – Ask Good Questions • The 5 BIG QUESTIONS TO ALWAYS – Know What You Are Looking At KEEP IN MIND – WHO ? -- Name (Target) See: – WHAT ? -- Event Genealogical Research - Getting Started – WHERE ? -- Location – WHEN ? – Date – WHY (Sometimes)?

Getting Started Getting Started

• Begin with Yourself • Identify a Target Ancestor • Begin Filling Out a Pedigree Chart • Identify a Primary Locality of • Begin Filling Out Family Group Sheets Research • Interview Your Family • Study an LDS Research Guide for that State • Collect Family Documents & https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/United_States Memorabilia • Read about the Region’s History, Geography & Records

Getting Started Starting with Yourself

• Create a Research Aids Notebook • Find Ancestors in Every Census – Place Items in Plastic Sheet Protectors taken during their lifetimes • Create an Online Research Aids Folder • Never Skip a Vital Event (obtain a – Place Digital Images and Files in Folder record of births, marriages & deaths • Work Backwards Along Family Lines or a substitute record) • Collect Names, Dates, and Places • Never Skip a Generation (work backwards methodically)

Starting with Yourself Talking with Relatives

• TIP – When Stuck • Interview Your Relatives – Use Collateral Lines – Obtain Names, Dates, Places • Trace Siblings of Your Ancestor – Try “Cluster” Genealogy • Write, Phone or Visit Family • Investigate Friends & Neighbors – Create a FAN Club • Talk to Older Family Members (Friends, Acquaintances, & Neighbors) and Trace them – The Sooner the Better – People Moved Together » Neighbors’ Place of Origins Information may provide Clue • Before Visiting: Prepare Questions as to your Ancestor’s Geographic Origins – See Cyndislist.com for Interview Questions – May Reveal Wife’s Family -- Thereby Obtaining Maiden Name http://www.cyndislist.com/oral.htm • During Visit: Take Notes & Record (Audio or Video) when Possible

Talking with Relatives Reading Books

• Contact the Women in Your Family • Read a “How-To” Book Early On (See: Guide to Basic Books - How-to-Books) • Read Local Histories –Women are Traditionally the Keepers of Family History • Look at Maps of Research Area – Plat –Men are Traditionally Less Helpful – Give Them a Try Anyway – Historical – Topographical – Migration Routes • Browse Specialized Reference Works

Brushing Up On History Brushing Up On History

• Re-familiarize Yourself With Major Events • Study a Timeline & Trends • Look at a Survey of U.S. History – Wars: Am Revolution, Civil War, Spanish-Am War, WWI, WWII – Panics (Depressions): 1819, 1837, 1857, 1893, 1929 – Transportation Development: Canals, Railroads, Steam Power • Consider How Events may have Impacted your Ancestor

Internet Searching Internet Searching

• Basic Genealogy Web Sites • Visit Basic Genealogy Web Sites – FamilySearch.org – Learn what they Contain – Ancestry.com • Create a Genealogy Folder in your – HeritageQuest via Library’s Databases Computer’s Web Browser – http://michlist.com/ (Michigan Biographical Index) – RdRecommend GlChGoogle Chrome • Add Sites to Favorites List – http://www.archives.gov/index.html • Create Sub-Folders as List Grows – http://seekingmichigan.org/ (@ Mi State Archives) – Examples: – http://stevemorse.org/ (Morse One-Step Searches) • Vital Records – http://www.ocgsmi.org/ (O Co Gen Soc) • Military Records – http://oaklandcountyhistory.org/awweb/main.jsp? • New York Records • Family Names Sites itype=advs&menu=on (Oakland Co Historical • Place Super Favorites on Bookmarks Bar Resources)

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records

Genealogy Software • Get Organized Today! • – Legacy • Develop a Filing System – Roots Magic • Approaches – Family Tree Maker – Notebooks – File Folders – Digital • Computer Directories • Genealogy Software

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records Pedigree Chart

• Pedigree Charts • Family Group Sheets • Research Agenda (To Do List) • Research Log (What You’ve Done) • Correspondence Log • Research Reports

The Problem Keeping Accurate Records With Hand Fill in a Pedigree Chart (Traditional Hand Written Example) Written Charts

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE:: 1 Rabideau 2 Pedigree Chart 1. Incorrect Date Style 2. Incorrect Place Style Common Corrections, Additions & Notes

Click on Graphic

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records Pedigree Chart (Genealogy Software Generated) Accepted Genealogical Conventions • Males Always in Top Bracket • Record Full Name w/ Complete Middle Name (when known), Nicknames in Quotation Marks • Record Surnames in All Capital Letters • Females Always Listed w/ Maiden Name • Dates in Day, Month, Year Format (dd,mmm,yyyy, i.e., 28 MAR 1942) • List all Event Locations: City/Twp, County, State/Province & Country

Click on Graphic

Keeping Accurate Records

Fill in a Family Group Sheet

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records Fill in a Family Group Sheet (Genealogy Software Generated)

• Advantages to Genealogy Software Generated Charts 2 – Always Up To Date 1 – Easy to Read – Time Saving • When Updating – No Need to Re-Write Entire Chart or Charts 1. ID Number – Software Generated – Documentation Provided 2. Footnote Number

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records

• Research Logs • Research Logs – By Surname –By Surname • Do Not Like to Separate by First Name • By Record Type • Searches are Similar Because Surname is Identical –By Geographic Area • Easier to Determine if it has Already been Done – Next By Record Type • By Geographic Area

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records

• Research Log Questions #1 • Research Log Questions #2 –Who were you looking for? –Where did you find it? –Where were you looking for them? –Who had it? –What was your objective or goal? –Who originally created it? –What did you look at? –What was in it? –Where can you find it again?

Keeping Accurate Records KeepingKeeping AccurateAccurate RecordsRecords

• Research Log Sample Questions • Research Log –Subject of Search (Who?) –Record Every Item Searched –Geographic Location of Search • Library or Repository Where Used (Where?) • Date Used –Objective of Search (Examples) • Call Number • Determine Residence at a Point in Time • Bibliographic Description of Item • Find a Marriage Record

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records

• Research Log (con’t) –Record Every Item Searched • Pages and/or Volumes • Comments - What You Found • Comments - What You Didn’t Find (Just as Important)

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records

Column Headings From Previous Form Sample Research Log: Another Approach •FAMILY •DATE (of Search) •REPOSITORY •CALL NO. / MICROFILM NO. •DESCRIPTION OF SOURCE •NAMES SEARCHED / TIME PERIOD •RESULTS

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records Online Research Log •Research Log Forms •Form for Library or Archival Research •What is Outlined in Previous Slides •Form for Online Research •Target Person •URL of Database •Sources used to Compile the Database •Search Strategies When Search is Unsuccessful Search •Search Argument For Another Member of the Household •Value: Surname Spellings Searched •Value: First Name & Place of Birth •Value: Age •Results for Each Search Use One File for Research Log with Separate Worksheets for Each Family

Keeping Accurate Records Keeping Accurate Records Online Research Log

• Free Forms –FamilySearch.org –Ancestry.com • Form Types –Federal Census Forms –State Census Forms –Pedigree & Family Group Sheets –Research Forms

Keeping Accurate Records: Keeping Accurate Records: Citing Your Sources Citing Your Sources • Bibliographic Description of • Bibliographic Description of Archival Published Work Item –Author, Editor, or Compiler –Title of Item • Name & Name, Marriage Record –Title –Date –Place of Publication –Page and/or Volume Number –Publisher –Institution Name –Date of Publication –City, County, State, Country

Citing Your Sources Citing Your Sources

• New Standard Guide • Full Citation of All Sources Examined – Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained: • Why? Citing History Sources from Artifacts to – Replication is Possible Cyberspace – People Can Follow Your Sources –And Know You Are Right See: https://www.evidenceexplained.com/ – Make Suggestions If You Are Not • Sample Pages, Questions, ….. • How? – Elizabeth Shown Mills, Quick Guide Series – Use Guides

Citing Your Sources

• Older Guides – Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence: Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian – Richard S . Lackey , Cite Your Sources: A Manual for Documenting Family Histories and Genealogy Records – Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations

Keeping Accurate Records

• Storage & Retrieval – Make Copies of All Documents & Records – File Them Logically – Lock-Up Original Copies • Use Fireproof Box or Safety Deposit Box @ Bank – Make 2nd Copy to Keep With You • Never Take Original & Only Copy to a Library, Archive, Court House, etc. (REMEMBER -- Stuff Happens!!)

Organize Your Records Organize Your Records Computer File Organization File Folder Labels

Organize Your Records Organize Your Records Computer File Organization Computer File Organization

Organize Your Records Knowing About Computer File Organization Reference Works

• Detailed Info on Sources • Detailed Info on Libraries File Nam ing Conven tions •Year • Where to Write or Phone •Record Type •Place if not U.S. Census •Surname as in Census (see Reference Books Section of Guide to •First Name as in Census Basic Books) •TRANS = Transcript Document

Knowing About Knowing About Periodicals Periodical Indexes • Commercial Publications • Many Varieties & Forms – Family Tree Magazine – Local Library Indexes – Family Chronicle • Local History, Obituaries, Picture File – Internet Genealogy – OCPHS (Oakland Co Pioneer & Hist Soc) • Society Publications –3 Obit Indexes • Dates of Coverage Unknown – National Genealogical Society Quarterly – Burton Historical Collection (DPL) – The New England Historical and Genealogical • Local History Register • Photographs – Michigan Habitant Heritage • Death Index – Acorns to Oaks (Oakland Co Gen Soc) • Wonderful Analytics of Periodicals

Knowing About Periodical Using Libraries Indexes

• Oakland County Pioneer & Historical Society • PERSI (Periodical Source Index) • Oakland County Reference Library –Accessible Through Heritage Quest • Orion Public Library Orion Room (Online) & Ancestry.com • Mt. Clemens Public Library • Family Name Search • Burton Historical Collection @ Detroit Public Library • Archives of Michigan in Lansing – 27 Rabideau/Robidoux articles • Allen County Public Library • Keyword Search • LDS Family History Centers • Locality Search • Record Type Search

LDS Libraries LDS Libraries

• Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter • LDS @ Salt Lake City Day Saints – World’s Largest Genealogy Library • 142,000 square foot –Main Library @ Salt Lake City – Best • 2,000 patrons a day Genealogical Library in the Country • 2.4 million rolls of microfilm WORLD • 0.75 million microfiche –Family History Centers (Branches) • 310,000 books • 4,500 periodicals • 700 Electronic Sources

LDS Libraries LDS Libraries • World’s Largest Genealogy Library • Records from Around the World • Monthly Increase • Church of Jesus Christ of the – 4,100 rolls of microfilm – 700 books Latter Day Saints - Family History • 200 digital cameras in over 45 countries • Records filmed in over 110 countries CtCenters • 202 patron computers • 509 microfilm readers –AKA • 36 microfiche readers • 28 microfilm/microfiche copiers • LDS Family History Centers • 15 photocopiers • LDS Libraries • 4 microfilm scanners • Seating for 396 at tables

LDS Libraries LDS Family Search System

• Local FHCs • Available Online & FHCs – Bloomfield Hills • Microfilm Materials ONLY available • Extensive Hours of Operation from a LDS Family History Center • KldblVltKnowledgeable Volunteers • Micro film R ental -- $7.50/ roll – Grand Blanc – May be Rented Online for use at FHC – Clarkston • All Microfilm being Digitized • Small – Very Limited Hours – Project Completion Expected in 5-10 years – Rochester – Roseville – Westland

Record Classification LDS Family Search System • Various Designations of Records • Family Search • Types of Records www.familysearch.org – Original Records & Compiled Records • Originator of Records – Constantly Under Revision – Municipality • Online Indexes – Township • Online Indexes with Images – County • Instructional Videos – State • Wikis – Federal • Blog

Record Classification Record Types

• Original Records (Primary Sources) – Your Goal is to Obtain Copies of These • Vital Records • Participants Create at Time of Event – Death Records • Manuscripts – Marriage Records • Handwritten, frequently – Birth Records • Compiled Records (Secondary Sources) • Church Records (substitutes) – May Aid Search for Original Records • Created After the Event by Non-Participants • Published (books)

Vital Records: Where? & When? Vital Records: How to Locate? ------Check A Directory • State Indexes – In MI there is a Microfilm Index @ Lib of MI & Burton Historical Collection • Birth • County Indexes – Courthouses Have Indexes • Marriage • County Clerk’sOffices s Offices • Death • Published Indexes – Check Library Catalogs • Land – Books • Probate • Online Indexes – State Archives Web Pages • Court – County Clerks (Increasing Number – Check) – Ancestry.com – FamilySearch.org

Census Records Overview

• Single Most Important American Genealogical Source CENSUS RECORDS – Federal Government – Taken Every 10 Years Since 1790 – Widely Available – Many State Censuses Also Taken • See William Dollarhide, Census Substitutes & State Census Records

Census Records Overview Census Records Formats

• Most Used Source in American • Available Formats Genealogy ●Online Images ●Microfilm • Approach: ●Published Transcriptions – Find Your Target Ancestor in EVERY ●Manuscript (Original) Possible Census During Their Lifetime

Census Records Formats Census Records Overview

• Record Format Preferences • Online Availability – Use Online – Ancestery.com $$$ (14 day free trial) – Use Microfilm • Free use in many Libraries – Use Published Transcriptions as Last Resort – FamilySearch.org • Note Manuscript Returns (Original) Records – HeritageQuest.com (free @ libraries) are Generally Inaccessible – Genealogy.com $$$ $$$ $$$ – National Archives, Washington D.C. – Records for many Years were Destroyed – Cyndislist.com – Extra Copies Sometimes Available at Various State http://www.cyndislist.com/census.htm#USCensus Libraries or Archives • 3 Hand Written Copies Made for 19th C. Enumerations

Census Records Overview Census Records: Census Day Date Census Enumerated Affects Age as Listed in Census

• Ages are a Problem CENSUS DAY CENSUS DAY – Not Always Accurate 1790 Aug. 2 1870 June 1 – Affected by Date Census was Taken 1800 A4Aug. 4 1880 J1June 1 – Often Provided by Someone Else 1810 Aug. 6 1890 June 1 – Inordinate Number of Ages End in “0” or 1820 Aug. 7 1900 June 1 “5” Indicating an Estimation 1830 June 1 1910 April 15 1840 June 1 1920 Jan. 1 1850 June 1 1930 April 1 1860 June 1 1940 April 1

Census Records Overview Census Records • Population Schedule • Don’t Allow Ages to Hang You Up – 1790 through 1940 – 1940 Census – Consider Children’s Birth Sequence • Available only as Images – No Microfilm – Consider Possibility of Informant Error • Free Access • Wife/Mother • Indexing Complete • Child • Other Schedules in Some Years • Neighbor • Population Schedule Questions Changed • Landlady Every Census • Hotel Clerk

Census Records Census Records

• Two Major Eras of Census Taking • Household (1790 - 1840) – Household Enumeration (1790-1840) – Only Named Head of Household – Nominal Enumeration (1850 - ) – Agggg(es in Large Categories (Household Members) – Sex & Race (Household Members)

(See Census Clues Handout)

Census Records Census Records

• Household: 1820 Census • Nominal: 1850 Census – Head of Household’s Name –Provides Names of Every Person • Only Name Provided –ALSO – Free White Males: 0-10, 10 -16, 16 -18, • Ages 16-26, 26-45, 45 & up • Sex – Free White Females (same age cohorts) • Race – Male Slaves: to 14, 14 to 26, 26 to 45, 45 • Occupations of Males & up • Place of Birth (State or Country) – Female Slaves: (same age cohorts) • Real Estate Value

Census Records Census Records

• Nominal: 1900 Census • Nominal: 1880 Census – Month & Year of Birth – Number of Years Presently Married – In Addition to 1850 Questions – Mother of How Many Children – Relationship to Head of Household – Number Children Still Living – Year of Immigration – Marital Status – Number of Years in U.S. – Father’s Place of Birth – Months Not Employed – Mother’s Place of Birth – Attended School This Year – Read & Write – Speak English – Rent or Own Home – Owned Home - Free or Mortgaged

Census Records Census Records

• Missing Schedules • 1890 Census Reconstruction Projects – 1790 • DE, GA, KY, NJ, VA Destroyed –Ancestry.com – Reconstruction – 1890 • Currently Limited to Directories • 99.99+ % Destroyed • 1,232 Pages or Pieces Survive –Genealogy Societies • 6,160 Individuals Listed – 0.00978% • Livingston Co., MI (Example) • 62,979,766 People Originally Enumerated –Multiple Record Types • Data Remains from AL, DC, GA, IL, MN, NJ, NY, NC, OH, SD, TX

Census Records Census Records

• Other Schedules • Search All Pertinent Schedules for Your –Slave: 1850 & 1860 Ancestors – Some Ancestors had "Sideline" Businesses • Owners’ Names Only – Researchers should search both the –Agriculture: 1850 - 1880 AiltAgriculture and dM Manuf ftiacturing S Shdlchedules –Manufacturing: 1810, 1820, 1850 - • Critical if ancestors lived in rural areas • Farmers often had noteworthy "sideline" 1880 manufacturing businesses, such as tanning, –Mortality: 1850 - 1880 milling, coopering, or cheese making –Social Statistics: 1850 - 1880 –Special: Veterans, 1890

Census Records Census Records

CLUE CENSUS YEAR

CLUE CENSUS YEAR Married Within the Census Year 1850, 1860, 1870 (Includes Month), 1880, 1890 Age Range of Free White Males (Different 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, Ranges for Different Census Years) 1830, 1840 MARRIAGE Marital Status 1880 - 1930 Age Range of Free White Females 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, Number of Years Married 1900, 1910 (Different Ranges for Different Census 1840 Age at First Marriage 1930 BIRTH Years) DATE & Number of Aliens/Persons Not Naturalized 1820, 1830 , 1840 PLACE Age of Everyone in the Household 1850 - 1940 IMMIGRA- TION & Year of Immigration to U.S. 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 Birthplace 1850 - 1940 CITIZEN- Number of Years in the United States 1890, 1900 Born Within the Census Year (with Month) 1870, 1880 SHIP Naturalization Status 1890 – 1940 Month & Year of Birth 1900 Foreign-Born Parents (Place not Listed) 1870 Number of Free Colored 1820, 1830, 1840 Parents’ Place of Birth 1880 – 1930, 1940 5% Relationship to Head of Household 1880 – 1940 PARENTS Mother Tongue 1910 OTHER Veteran Status 1890, 1910 (Civil War Only), 1930 Self & Parents’ Mother Tongue 1920, 1930 Mother of How Many Children/Number 1890, 1900, 1910 Living

Census Records: Census Records: What Is Really Being Asked? What Is Really Being Asked? • Occasionally One Needs to Know the Intent of • Measuring America: The Decennial a Question in the Census Census From 1790-2000 – Hence the Text of the Instructions for the Census – Contains basic methodological explanations Enumerators is Needed – Measuring America: The Decennial Census From for how census data was gathered over 1790-2000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002) time including the questionnaires and http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/pol02-ma.pdf instructions to census enumerators for each – Download (FREE) and Retain a Copy census. It contains historical notes for each – Consists of 149 Pages census – pdf Format – Extremely Useful for Interpreting Citizens’ Responses

Census Records: L.S. POPE CASE STUDY - 1840 CENSUS EXAMPLE Case Study

• Searching for Lewis S. Pope – Resident of Geauga County, Ohio in 1850

1840 CENSUS EXAMPLE 1840 CENSUS EXAMPLE PAGE 2

1850 CENSUS EXAMPLE Lewis S. Pope Case Study

1 2 1st Page 6 3 4 5

2nd Page 1 1. HOUSEHOLD LISTING DIVIDED ON TWO PAGES 2. NAME RECORDED AS L S POPE NOT LEWIS POPE 3. NAMES OF ALL FAMILY & HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS PROVIDED 4. NOTE FAMILY MIGRATION VIA BIRTH PLACES 5. AGE & PLACE OF BIRTH PROVIDES CLUE AS TO ARRIVAL DATE IN COMMUNITY 6. MOTHER CHARRY’S BIRTH PLACE?

Lewis S. Pope Case Study 1860 AGRICULTURAL CENSUS

8 9 ● Available Online at Ancestry.com ● Only One Page of 7 Two Page Form Provided 10

7. PROVIDES CLUE AS TO MARRIAGE DATE OF PARENTS 8. OCCUPATION “FARMER” LIMITS VIEW OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY 9. REAL ESTATE VALUE PROVIDES INDICATION OF WEALTH 10. PROVIDES NAMES OF OTHER HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS

1860 AGRICULTURAL CENSUS Case Study: Lewis S. Pope

• All Schedules: Lewis Pope Example Lewis S. Pope lived in Geauga County, Ohio. The 1850 Agricultural Schedule indicates his farm, worth $5,000, consisted of 300 improved and 60 unimproved acres. His farminggp implements and tools were worth $ 100, and his livestock was worth $1,000. On June 1, 1850, he owned 4 horses, 46 milch cows, 2 working oxen, 14 sheep, and 2 swine. During the preceding year, Lewis slaughtered $40 worth of animals, and his farm produced 150 bushels of Indian corn, 40 pounds of wool, 50 bushels of Irish potatoes, 800 pounds of butter, 2,000 pounds of cheese, 100 tons of hay, and $10 worth of orchard products.

Census Records Census Records

• Mortality Schedules • All Schedules: Lewis Pope Example – Record Deaths in the Year Before the Census A search of the 1850 Manufacturing Schedule reveals that • 1850 Census contains deaths from June 2, 1849 Lewis Pope invested $700 in his cheese-making business and to June 1, 1850 that he annually produced 7 tons of cheese worth $750 from 10 tons of curd costing $500. He employed three males to whom • May be Only Record of Death for Some he paid a total of $45 per month (i.e., $15 each). Since Pope Individuals made only one ton (2,000 pounds) of cheese from the milk that – Many States Did Not Require the Recording of Death th his own 46 cows produced, it is logical to infer that his cheese- Until the Late 19 Century or Later making business (7 tons) was conducted by buying milk from • Provides a Record for Those Without Gravestones area farmers and turning it into cheese. • Provides a Record for Children Under Ten Who Died the Year Before the Census

1850 MORTALITY SCHEDULE 1850 MORTALITY ANALYSIS Line Age Cohorts No. % 1< 1 436 21 –3 218 3 Children (1 + 2) 6 54 4 Young Adult 1 9 5 Middle Age 2 18 6OldAge 218

Census Records Census Indexes

• Mortality Schedule Information – Name • Locating Someone in the Census – Age – In the Good Old Days – Sex • No Indexes – Marital Status if Married or Widowed • Read Microfilm Reels for the Entire County – State or Country of Birth Where Target was Thought to Reside – Month of Death • Then AIS Indexes (Very Poor Indexing) – Occupation Provided Clues for Microfilm Searches – Cause of Death – Now Online Images with Indexes – Length of the Final Illness

Census Indexes – Pinch Hitters Online Census Indexes

• Alternatives for Use When Commercial • Know What You Are Looking At Online Indexes Fail • Determine Indexing Criteria – Library Card Files – Are They Comprehensive? • Example: State Historical Soc of WI – Book Indexes – Are They Limited by Household Position , • Local Genealogical Societies Gender or Age? • Accelerated Indexing Service – CD-ROM Indexes – U.S. GenWeb Indexes

Online Census Indexes Indexing Errors

• Problems • GIGO –Alphabetizing –Handwriting Interpretation –Garbage In--Garbage Out –Microfilm Difficult to Read –Scanning (Optical Character Recognition Errors) • Converting From Book Images to Text

Indexing Errors & Issues Indexing Errors & Issues

S S

Census Indexes Census

• Ancestry & AncestryLE (Library Edition) – New Improved Indexing • LDS FamilySearch – Linked Images http://familysearch.org – Every Name: 1790 -1940 – Available Images & Indexing – 1890 Veterans, Every Name • All Extant Population Schedules, 1790-1940 – Provides Transcriptions for Individuals – 1850 & 1860 Slave Schedules – No Linkage to Other Family Members • Every Name of Slave Owners • 1850 Mortality & Slave Schedules • No Slave Names Recorded in the • 1890 Veterans Census

Census Census Indexes

• HeritageQuest • What If It Isn’t In An Index? – Available from Home – Log In through Your Library • What Does It Mean? – Requires Library Card – Available Images, 1790-1930 – Available Indexing It Only Means The Name Is Not In The • Inconsistent Index • 1790-1820, 1860-1920, head of household • 1930 (5 states), head of household • 1830-1850 Not Indexed – Read Every Page It Does Not Mean The Name Is Not In • 1940 Unavailable The Document

Census Indexes Census Soundex

• Person May Still be in the Census • Special Index Based on Sound – Use Alternative Approaches • Try Alternate Spellings – Groups Similar Sounding Names • Search Reversed First & Last Names – Helps Compensate for Misspellings • Search Last Name with Different First Letters – Hearing or Reading or Writing (Indexer) Error • Helps Locate a Family in Census • Search First Name Only • Created for 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 & • Search First Name & Limit by Birth Place or Age or 1930 Censuses Occupation, etc • Try Different Search Criteria • Some Databases Provide a Soundex • Try Different Jurisdictions Search • Search Other Family Members • Or Read the Entire Document ! – Examine First Names

Soundex Rules - I Soundex Rules - II

→ Soundex Family Card Soundex Family Card [Microfilm]

[Microfilm] Do Not Rely on this Data Alone. Use it to Find the Person in the Manuscript Census

1. Possible Multiple Cards for Households 2. Possible Transcription Errors

2 1