Before you overly analyze that incorrect marital status in a census, before you get all “fussed up” over an incorrect place of birth, consider the possibility that what is wrong is simply an error.
Monthly Archives: April 2010
Did the last name get dropped?
Does your ancestor have a middle name that is also a last name? Is it possible that he cannot be located in a census or other record because the census taker left off his actual last name and used his middle name as a last name?
It might explain when Henry Jacobs Fecht is enumerated in the 1870 census as Henry Jacobs.
And if you don’t know that middle name it’s going to be even more difficult to find him.
Using Maps with the Census?
Are you using a map when you search the census for your ancestor? If you don’t have appropriate, contemporary to your census problem year maps, you could easily be making mistakes or looking in places that are not quite right.
Get a Perpetual Calendar
They are all over the internet. When using any document or record that refers to dates, particularly one that says last Thursday, two weeks ago, etc. use a perpetual calendar. A simple google search will locate them. It will make you determination of the date a little easier. I found one helpful when analyzing obituaries for a recent Casefile Clues column.
Be Specific
Whenever you are writing or talking about a person be specific. First names are rarely specific enough, particularly in some families. First and last names are best, perhaps combined with a date of birth or date of death.
My mother has three Aunt Ruths. It usually took more than just “Aunt Ruth” to know to whom someone was referring. Sometimes it was clear from context, but not always. Don’t create additional confusion in the records you leave behind. Be specific.
Take A List
If you are going to do any research in records where the use of terms is important, land records, foreign language church records, etc. take a “cheat sheet” of key terms or words and what they usually mean. It will help.
For example a sheet for land records should include grantor, grantee, quit claim, etc.
A sheet for foreign language work should contain the main genealogy words in that language at the very least.
Look at the Search Boxes Carefully
When using online search interface, make certain you are interpreting all the search boxes correctly. It is very easy to get “ahead of the game” and waste time because you are not putting the correct things in the correct boxes. If you first do not find what you think you should, look at each search box and make certain you have (if appropriate) put in the correct item.
That Newspaper is Secondary
Remember that newspaper accounts of events can easily be incorrect and that every detail should be verified with other records if at all possible. Newspapers can easily get details of current events incorrect. I’ve seen obituaries of the same person in different papers conflict with each other over current details. The chance for error is even greater when dealing with the details of some person’s life in an obituary.
Google that Occupation
Is there a census occupation you can’t quite read or can read, but think someone dreamed it up? Google the word. You may find your answer.
Would One Missed Word Make a Difference?
Take care in transcribing documents and in using transcriptions. One missed word can make all the difference. While it is not a genealogy example, the following makes the point.