Finding Ancestors in the US Census: Online and Offline Research Strategies

Only $39.99 for the 4/30 session!  Registration in this session also includes a free eBook of The Genealogist’s Census Pocket Reference! The census contains a wealth of information for US genealogists and is the cornerstone of a sound family history. In the census you can learn about families, education, wealth and even how long a marriage lasted or the number of children a woman bore. We’ll discuss the early censuses from 1790 through 1840, and censuses that list all household members, from 1850 through 1940.

COURSE BEGINS: View upcoming course schedule for dates
COURSE LENGTH: 4 weeks
TUITION: $99.99 ($89.99 for VIP) The 4/30 session of Finding Ancestors in the US Census is being offered at a special price of only $39.99, which includes a free eBook. Don’t wait, as this price (and the eBook offer) is good for this session only!
INSTRUCTOR: Diana Crisman Smith (Bio)

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• the type of information found in each federal census
• how to analyze census records
• how to find and search online census databases
• how to find ancestors using microfilmed Soundex indexes
• how to use early “head-of-household” censuses
• alternatives for missing records (such as the lost 1890 census)
• what special “nonpopulation” census records you should also look for
• hints and techniques in each lesson

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

• Family researchers new to census searching
• Genealogists who want to learn new tricks to track down elusive ancestors
• People unfamiliar with online census searching

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: REQUIREMENTS & SUPPLIES

• This course assumes you understand the basics principles of genealogy and have done some investigation into your family history. If you are a total beginner, consider taking the Discover Your Family Tree course before enrolling in this class.
• Access to Ancestry.com will help you get the most from this class. Many libraries offer free on-site access to Ancestry Library Edition.

COURSE SYLLABUS
Lesson 1: Census Basics

• History of the US Census
  • Reason for the census
  • Census dates
  • Enumerator Instructions
  • Enumeration districts
  • Availability
• Overview of US Censuses, 1790 to 1940
• Census substitutes
• Research clues in the census
• Exercise

Lesson 2: Online Census Records

• Census database websites
• Searching online censuses
  • General tips
  • Ancestry.com
  • Footnote
  • FamilySearch Record Search Pilot
  • HeritageQuest Online
  • Handwriting helps
• Sources for free indexes and transcriptions
• Exercise

Lesson 3: Microfilmed censuses

• Soundex
  • What is Soundex?
  • Soundex codes
  • Soundex indexes
  • How to use Soundex microfilm
• Published census indexes
  • Finding published indexes
  • Census page numbers
• Census source citations
• Exercise

Lesson 4: Special censuses

• Military schedules
  • 1840 veterans
  • 1890 veterans
• 1880 DDD schedules
• Mortality schedules
  • 1850 and 1860
  • 1870
  • 1880 and 1885
  • 1900
• Agricultural schedule
  • 1850
  • 1860
  • 1880
• Manufacturing/Industry Schedules
  • 1810
  • 1820
  • 1850, 1860, 1870
  • 1880
  • 1885
• Slave Schedules
• American Indian censuses
• Exercise