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The U.S. Census<br />
By: Craig Smith / Exploring Your Roots<br />
The U.S. Census can be a valuable resource<br />
for genealogy research, providing a wealth of<br />
information about individuals and families over<br />
time. Here are some steps to effectively use the<br />
U.S. Census for genealogy research:<br />
Start with the Latest Census: Begin with the most recent<br />
available census data and work backward in time. The latest available<br />
census is typically released every 10 years, but the most recent data<br />
might not be immediately accessible due to privacy restrictions. Note<br />
that the most recent available census is 1950.<br />
Identify Ancestors: Start with what you know about your<br />
ancestors and work to identify them in the census records. Look for<br />
names, birthplaces, ages, and other relevant details.<br />
Use Census Indexes: Utilize online census indexes and databases<br />
to make your search more efficient. Websites like Ancestry.com,<br />
FamilySearch.org, and Heritage Quest Online provide searchable<br />
databases of census records.<br />
Understand Census Columns: Familiarize yourself with the<br />
various columns and information recorded in each census year. This<br />
may include names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, marital status, and<br />
relationships within the household.<br />
Take Note of Neighbors: Pay attention to the neighbors listed on<br />
the census page. Relatives often lived in close proximity to one another,<br />
so exploring the households nearby may reveal additional family<br />
members.<br />
Stay Flexible with Spelling and Dates: Be flexible with name<br />
spellings and birthdates. Census enumerators might have recorded<br />
information phonetically, and individuals may not have accurately<br />
reported their ages.<br />
Remember that genealogy research can be a gradual process, and<br />
patience is key.<br />
Craig Smith is the President of the Clark County Nevada<br />
Genealogical Society. Craig can be contacted at president@ccngs.<br />
org<br />
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Genealogy Podcast<br />
Our Exploring Your Roots columnist (and President of the Clark<br />
County Nevada Genealogical Society) Craig Smith (left) is joined by<br />
Bert Reiner of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Nevada in<br />
our podcast last month.<br />
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