Census Research
12 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Census Tags: ancestor, ancestors, ancestry, census records, family, family history, family tree, genealogy
Census research is an important part of genealogical research especially when building family group sheets. Using the U.S. Federal Census allows researchers to help prove, disprove, and collect information on ancestors. These documents have been around since 1790 and are enumerated every 10 years. Records can also be searched for the same surname in the area in which your ancestor lived to possibly link new family together.
What information is available?
A U.S. Federal Census typically contains these items:
- Name
- Street Address
- Age or birth month and year
- Immigration and naturalization information
- Occupation
- Home ownership
The enumeration forms vary year to year. Additional fields that are included in some census years are:
- How many children born to mother
- How many children still living
- Veterans status
- Mother tongue
- Does the person speak English
- Employment information: status, how many days unemployed, occupation
Tips on using the census
It is important to start with the most recent census available and work backwards. Work with what is known to the unknown basically. Record all the information you find each enumeration on an extract sheet or in your family tree database. Note the source, where the information came from, so you can refer to it easily again if needed. Search on spelling variations because census takers did not always spell the names correctly or when the record is indexed to be searched online, the transcriptionist wrote it down the way she saw it which may not be the same way someone else sees it.
Where can I find the records?
Records can be found online at several paid genealogy services such as Ancestry. The National Archives has the records on microfilm. Family History Centers, major research libraries, state archives and state libraries are all places to check.
So what are you waiting for? Start researching your ancestors in U.S. Federal Census Records today! Their stories are waiting to be told!
Family Group Sheets
11 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Genealogy Research Tags: ancestor, ancestral chart, ancestry, family group sheets, family history, family tree, genealogy, genealogy research, u s federal census
Now that you have begun your genealogy research and completed a family tree, also known as a pedigree chart or ancestral chart, it is time to begin creating Family Group Sheets. These sheets record data on a specific family which includes the parents and their children. Download a sheet and let’s begin.
Completing the Family Group Sheet
Start by completing the top section with your information. This is good to record in case you travel with these sheets and one is lost. There is a chance it could be returned to you. Next, the family group sheet begins with the parents at the top of the sheet. Write the full name of both mother and father and complete as much information as you can.
Next, move to the children. Begin filling in full names, spousal names and all the vital information you know. For each fact recorded, note on the back of the sheet where the information came from. This means to document the book, author, page, publication place and date; the vital record type, certificate number, repository where it was found or the online database source. You are basically recording the detail of the source so you can return to it in the future and allow others viewing your work to know exactly where the information was obtained.
Next steps
After completing the family group sheet, start outlining some genealogical goals. Where do you want to go from here? Unsure, check back tomorrow for a good next step to search, U.S. Federal Census Records.
Genealogy Research
10 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Genealogy Research Tags: ancestors, ancestral chart, census records, family tree, family trees, marriage, pedigree chart, research genealogy
Genealogy is the study of family and the identification of ancestors and their information. This information includes vital records, census records, military records, property records and other such legal documents. Why should one study their ancestors? Studying the past helps us better understand who we are, why our family is the way it is, and grounds us by showing us where our roots lie. Conducting research is a little like being a detective and following a trail.
Getting started
Beginning genealogy research can be confusing. Where should you start? The answer is, start with what you know. Download a family tree, otherwise known as a pedigree chart or ancestral chart. Family trees should be numbered so the generations may continue on additional sheets. Begin numbering the pedigree chart by making the person to the far left on the page number one. To the right of this person are his parents. At the top right of person number one, make that person number two. This is the father. At the bottom right of person number one, make that person number three. This is the mother. Continue numbering at the top of the page working down with each set of parents. Fathers are always first and above the mother.
Complete the pedigree chart filling in all the genealogy information you know. This includes the full name of each individual and as much of their vital data (birth, marriage and death) information as you know or can quickly locate. To add pages to the family tree for a line you can trace back further, print a new page, number that page two and make person number one the individual on the first page of the tree you ended with.
Research has begun
Congratulations! You have just taken the first step in genealogy research. Stop by tomorrow for the second phase of research.
Generations of Stories
08 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Welcome to Generations of Stories. This site is currently under construction.
