Census Tips
Every Census was slightly different. Each census gives you a snap shot of that individual. Searching within the cenuses for a person is like putting together pieces of a puzzle. Try different spellings of a name. Broaden your search and slowly narrow it to locate a person. Sometimes, if you know the area, you may have to search all the pages in a given town. Here are some useful links:
http://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/tEnumInstr.shtml
http://www.archives.gov/research/census/
http://www.ehow.com/how_5884347_search-census-records-online.html
The first census was in 1790. Most of the 1890 census materials were destroyed in a 1921 fire. You may have to search State Census records or other records for locating a person between the years of 1880 and 1900. Also, remember when seraching for individuals that race can be a factor. Each census had specific designations for race. For example, a person designated, "mulatto" in one census may be designated as "indian" or "black" or even "white" in another census. Many Europeans, particularly in port cities with large numbers of immigrants would designate "Black Dutch" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-Dutch) as "mulatto".
http://www.afrigeneas.com/forum-world/index.cgi?md=read;id=89
http://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/tEnumInstr.shtml
I have experience in researching Southern Africa-American genealogies. If you need assistance email me at bethwingate@aim.com
Keeping a timeline is usually the best way to organize census searches. I always organize by timeline......best wishes and happy hunting.
~beth
http://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/tEnumInstr.shtml
http://www.archives.gov/research/census/
http://www.ehow.com/how_5884347_search-census-records-online.html
The first census was in 1790. Most of the 1890 census materials were destroyed in a 1921 fire. You may have to search State Census records or other records for locating a person between the years of 1880 and 1900. Also, remember when seraching for individuals that race can be a factor. Each census had specific designations for race. For example, a person designated, "mulatto" in one census may be designated as "indian" or "black" or even "white" in another census. Many Europeans, particularly in port cities with large numbers of immigrants would designate "Black Dutch" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-Dutch) as "mulatto".
http://www.afrigeneas.com/forum-world/index.cgi?md=read;id=89
http://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/tEnumInstr.shtml
I have experience in researching Southern Africa-American genealogies. If you need assistance email me at bethwingate@aim.com
Keeping a timeline is usually the best way to organize census searches. I always organize by timeline......best wishes and happy hunting.
~beth