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The Fast Track To Using US Censuses                                   2017 02 01
Lesson 016...                                                                                                 Published Monthly

What Methods Are Available And Which One Is Best?...
Before spending any large blocks of time on ancestral search, it's best to define what's available.
Later, you can decide which of these are better suited to your particular needs and design.

There are many reputable websites that specialize in census searching and some with imaging.
Other websites are begining to offer transcription lists of census data without imaging.

Another popular method is to manually search each individual census image, one page at a time.
This can be done either on or offline, depending on your preference and other factors.

There are of course, several other variants to each, but they all stem from these two methods.
Costs for each are dependant on memberships, internet fees, CD purchases and more.
Sometimes costs are offset by other factors such as longevity or ease of use.

There is no way for anyone to determine what's best for anothers use, but we can offer guidance.
It's likely that often throughout your quest you will be using both methods and their variants.
Take a look below for a few helpful hints before you start or whenever you're stuck!


Online Searches-Pros & Cons...
Probably this is the most common place for most people start...
When done properly, these can help to add great validity to your tree!
It works quickly and easily, but by nature of the internet we take their word for it.

Most sites let you search for names within criteria parameters such as dates or places and more.
The data is "usually" a strict transcription of the census and may or may not provide an image link.
Some are more of a drain on computer resources than others due to advertisements. The alternative.

Be aware that each transcriber, although certainly doing their best, are still subject to error.
The work is tedious, monotonous, unending and many simply do not understand cursive writing!
Combine all that with a fast-paced/hectic race to get all the data processed and photographs taken!

Overall, this is a good way for many who just want a basic tree of their "known ancestors".
It does however place significant amounts of trust in others hands for the accuracy of their work.
Always doublecheck their transcriptions-especially prior to 1940 - Here's a few reasons why that date.


Manual Searches-Pros & Cons...
"Manual Search" means to look at an image of a census page and review the names and data.
This is not to be confused with reviewing someone else's transcription, but to see it for yourself.
Additionally, this method is usually reserved for specialized circumstances or other failed searches.

"Specialized Circumstances" for the casual user are usually when a researcher is interested in friends.
Manual searching can become a common practice during normal research by reviewing known data.
When a subjects census is found, it takes only a moment to look at the other names on the page.

After a while, the names on these pages begin to become engrained in your memory.
It's easy to understand relationships between their decendants later when you know their past.
Many times friends or relations move across country together and their families become intertwined.

With manual searching, there is no "mis-interpretaion".
You view the data yourself, as it was recorded-without changes.
Though many websites have catchy setups, the data is the real goal.

In the end, it depends on the users objective or purpose for creating the tree.
While some desire extreme accuracy by documented verification, others do not.
Documentation will always be required for joining groups with specialized lineages.


Help When You're Stumped...
The first thing to try when having difficulty with web searches is to use different spellings.
As simple as this is, it becomes overlooked during the frustrations of online searches.
Keep a list of known mis-spelled versions you've encountered-Here's an example.

Sometimes, searching for a person no longer available happens for several reasons.
Be flexible in your search methods, exhausting one method at a time in order with variants.
Don't stagnate within one website simply because its been your favorite thanks to previous results.

Most commonly, the driving reason for searching censuses manually is to find a missing person.
When other reports place them in an area but the websearch returns a null there's usually a reason.
Knowing these things will help speed up your manual search. The more you know-the easier it will be!

After the first few times you try manual searching, it becomes clear on how it's done and its reliability.
This method is for lost subjects (Regardless of reasons) and familiarizing yourself with friendships.
There is a wealth of information beyond that of data within them. Take the oportunity to see it.


Putting It All Together...
You now have several tools at your disposal to work in unison toward the completion of your tree.
No matter which you feel more comfortable with, remember to always verify the correct person.
It's surprising how many people share similar names and other data-Look for the differences!

Each subject in your tree should have their own file folder to save information in.
Name each one from the begining according to a format of your choosing.
Save photo's, web reports and document images relating to them.

If you choose to search online, remember that a null return may be due to clerical error.
Use the above mentioned methods for possible solutions to common problems.
Also remember to try another website if searches aren't yielding results.

Search manually if subjects cannot be located in online census searches but are known to be living.
If the subject still is not found, specialty census searches for military or prisons may be of use.
Look also at their type of employment in case it takes them to other states or country's.

Some families simply did not participate in some censuses. Their reasons are unknown.
There are also several families found within our tree who's surnames were drastically changed.
Entire lineage surname changes are known to exist stemming from translation and speech accents.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Choose your favorite website for census searches. Use loose parameters if necessary.
Find all the censuses you can for that member and their family, save them to file.

Second...
For missing censuses, try searching also for parents, spouse or other members.
Check the employment and military history for the possibility of movement.

Third...
Perform the manual search method according to the most recent known area.
If other family members are known to have moved, check that area also.


As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

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