Product Description

Census research is one of the first and most important steps in constructing a family tree. Everyone from genealogists to historians use the federal census for researching family histories. Deciphering census data, however, is not always easy.

Your Guide to the Federal Census acts as a personal "research assistant" for the beginning genealogist. Census Basics examines the nuts and bolts of census records and the types of information available. Finding Census Records and Indexes reveals where to view the censuses online and off, and how to find most ancestors quickly and easily. Using the Census offers step-by-step instructions covering nearly every scenario for tracing family histories in census records.

Also included are case studies, appendices, and a glossary of census terms.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #246556 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

About the Author
Kathleen W. Hinckley is a Certified Genealogical Records Specialist, Executive Director of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and trustee for the Board of Certification of Genealogists. She is a regular columnist for Genealogy.com, and author of Locating Lost Family Members & Friends. She lives in Arvada, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

A Must Have For Genealogists
This is a wonderful reference book for any genealogist to have in their home library. Most researchers working on American families depend on the federal census as a basic tool in constructing their family groups. Knowing where to find the records, what information they can give you, and how to use them to your best advantage are all covered in this wonderful book.

Each federal census had its unique points. Different questions were asked in different years. Native Americans were listed in various ways. Some censuses asked for information on military service. It is also valuable to know why censuses were conducted and how our ancestors viewed them. Did you know that, in 1790, anyone who refused to answer the census questions was fined $20.00? That was hefty sum then. The money collected was divided between the census enumerator and government! This book has lots of facts like that which help us understand how the census and our families interacted.

As is true of all books published by Betterway Books, the volume is full of clear illustrations of documents. There are also many examples and case studies that illustrate facets of the census and also give some humorous examples taken from actual records.

Everyone doing American genealogy will find this book invaluable.

A new addition to your "essentials" shelf"
Kathy Hinckley has built an enviable reputation not only for professionalism in the field of genealogy and for her writing and lecturing skills, but for her expertise in original sources, especially of the 20th century. The U.S. census was the first place most of us were directed to when we began researching our families, and most folks probably believe they have nothing more to learn about the subject. Not so! In fact, it would repay any experienced genealogist, as well as the near novice, to spend some time with this first-rate guide, refreshing one's knowledge and adding to it. The book is organized in straightforward fashion: Three sections provide an introduction to and general history of the federal census (what it is and why it exists), how and where to find census records and indexes to them, and how to actually make use of what you see. The first two sections will be most useful to beginners; I've assigned them as basic reading, in fact, in continuing education classes I've taught. (It may also be useful to experienced researchers to be reminded of the existence of all the other census schedules in addition to the one for population.) The third section, though, "Using the Census," is where we get into the thick of it. When you begin cranking that microfilm, do you have an actual, thought-out research strategy in mind? If you're accessing online images of census pages at Ancestry, is it even in the back of your mind that you should plan, at some point, to read through the whole county anyway -- or at least the rest of the township? (Yes, you definitely should.) If your research involves black or American Indian families, or Catholic nuns, or prisoners, or active members of the military, then there's a good deal of specialized knowledge you need to acquire. Working out the route the census enumerator followed, up and down town streets or country roads, may tell you a lot about who someone's actual neighbors were. Making note of the immigration information in 20th century schedules can give you a good start on locating the correct passenger list -- or "lists," when a family arrived in this country piecemeal. Then there are the many varieties of anomalies to be found in the population schedules. Happily, some enumerators added uncalled-for comments about occupations or relationships or city of birth -- not common, but not all that rare, either. Hinckley notes that some enumerators seemed quite unable to understand the names they were given and mis-recorded a majority of them. Others made a habit of piling all their later-discovered omissions on the last page of the schedule, quite out of order. In more than one Southern county in 1850, slaves were included in the Free Schedule. And, of course, all of us have gaps in our research where a family appears to have been "skipped," even though you're sure they lived there before and after the census -- or else a family was listed twice in the same county, and not always with identical information. The last chapters surveys the many other types of non-federal censuses available, either conducted by a colonial or territorial authority, or by a state, or by the military. Hinckley scatters fascinating case studies through the book to illuminate points she's making, and there are many illustrative images. Finally, for each decennial census, she includes a map of existing states and territories and a list of the questions asked and the "official" abbreviations to be used. A good selected bibliography is also provided for additional reading.

Did you know that many enumerators in 1930 had difficulty getting families to admit they owned a radio? Apparently, there was a rumor abroad that the government intended to levy a federal tax on radio sets. . . .