How to Browse the Census by Location

Finding your ancestor in the census is a great way to extend the family tree, but what do you do when you just know he should be there, but he isn’t turning up in your searches? When that happens, it’s time to stop searching and start browsing old school style. Here’s how to browse the census…

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Reconstructing a Family Using 2 Numbers on the Census

It’s a sad fact that many of our ancestors lost a child. Some families lost several children. Discovering the existence of these children helps us reconstruct the family and helps put them and their experience in context. There are two numbers in the 1900 and 1910 censuses that can help us do that. 

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3 Sources to Learn More About Your Ancestor’s Occupation

Researching an ancestor’s occupation is an excellent way to build context around him or her. Our ancestors spent a lot of time providing for themselves and their families, so taking a look at how they earned their living can reveal a lot about their everyday lives. Here are three sources to explore.Read More

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Don’t Neglect the Other Census Records

The census has become the kleenex of the genealogy world. When someone says that they need a kleenex, they almost always mean they need a disposable tissue, not that they need Kleenex™ brand tissues. It’s similar with “the census.” The census also has a problem with identity. “I found him in the census” usually means “I…

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Industry Schedules: A Hidden Source for Your Farming Ancestors

There is a special part of the federal census called the industry schedule. “Farming” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you hear “industry,” but the industry schedules can have information about our farming ancestors. What Are the Industry Schedules The Federal census is made up of several different schedules. The one we…

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