For every census there is supposed to be an official census date. It does not always work out that way as census takers cannot be at every home on the precise date of the census. While respondents were told to answer questions as of the census date, there is no doubt that some got confused and answered questions as of the date the census taker was at their home. Sometimes the extra month (or two or three) did not change the answers. But sometimes it did.
Pay close attention to those non-relatives in your ancestor’s census enumeration. While they could be non-relatives renting a room or hired hands to help with field work, it’s also very possible they are relatives who needed a place to land until they got settled. Don’t just write those “other people” in an enumeration off as someone not worth researching. You could be missing out on making a connection.
A few reminders for those who need them: Are you backing up your files? Are there photographs you don’t have identified? Are there any relatives of whom you need to ask questions? Are there personal family photographs, papers, etc. of which you havehte only copy and that copy has not been digitized?
Every database, index, finding aid, etc. has one “pitfall.” There may be a small portion of records that are missing. There may be a location whose name is spelled wrong in the database. The search screen may not work quite like other search screens you use. Every name listed on every record may not be in the index. If all you can think of are the “pros” it may be the “cons” that get you. Being aware of pitfalls does not mean you are focusing on the negative. It means you are aware of the limitations of the finding aid. And that makes you better able to use it appropriately.
The 1890 census is essentially destroyed. Only fragments remain. As a genealogy exercise, pretend you are the census enumerator for your family and “take their census.” It may just get you thinking about some things you’ve never thought before when you fill in each and every blank for those who probably were living in your ancestral household in 1890. There’s a blank modernized 1890 US schedule here. While census enumerators didn’t ask for sources, it might be good to try and locate them when compiling your ancestral census record. Our tongue-in-cheek “Complete 1890 Census Released!” can be found on our Rootdig blog.
When locating records and putting them in your files, make certain that just because the “name’s the same,” that you actually have the same person. Make certain age, location, implied social status and other information “match.” Sometimes records that you think are on the same person, are actually referring to two separate people with the same or similar names.
Our list of possible “maiden names” for a female ancestor neglected to include an unmarried mother’s maiden name as a possible source for the maiden name. It’s very possible. And it’s also possible that a man’s last name came from his unmarried mother’s maiden name as well. Thanks to MR for reminding me of this.
A document may indicate a certain name is your female ancestor’s maiden name, but remember that depending upon the family situation and who is providing the information, that name could be: a step-father’s last name an adopted father’s last name a foster father’s last name a previous husband’s last name or her biological father’s last name
Is it possible that your relative’s naturalization was published in the local newspaper? Not all newspapers published notices of this type–newspapers where my people lived unfortunately did not publish these notices. But you never know. In locations where local records have been destroyed, newspaper notices of legal activities can often be helpful. Genealogy Search Tip of the Day is sponsored by GenealogyBank.
It is always advised to search every record–even when you don’t think it will tell you anything you “don’t already know.” US census records are not supposed to be more specific than state or country of birth. In some instances they’ve put towns of birth or areas of Europe that are more specific than the country. It never hurts to look–even when you know it all.
There is still time to join me on my 2017 trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Additional details are on our group page.
In all those genealogy files you have on deceased relatives, don’t neglect to include some biographical information on yourself. It’s not necessary to write a complete “tell-all,” but a discussion of some of your life experiences, what had an impact on you, mistakes you made that you feel comfortable telling, etc. are all good things to consider writing about.
Is your ancestor’s ship mentioned in the newspaper on the day it arrived? The Weser landed in New York in November of 1873. It’s arrival is mentioned in a Philadelphia newspaper on 3 November. My ancestor Focke Goldenstein was on the boat. Names of passengers rarely are mentioned, but you may be fortunate enough to get a weather report. Genealogy Search Tip of the Day is sponsored by GenealogyBank.
Whenever you discover a “new” last name, make a list of all reasonable variants for that name. The little amount of time spent will be worth it. Sometimes when we are “hot on a research trail” with a name recently discovered, we don’t think of all the possible variations there are.
I will be giving three presentations on Veterans’ Day: Military Benefit Records Using Fold3.com BLM Tract Books Details are on our announcement page.
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