How to Use Genealogical Clues in US Census Data
Birth, Marriage, Occupation, Immigration Lead to Other Records
US census records have a variety of information, depending on the year the census was taken. But when genealogists find ancestors in a census, complete with age and occupation and possibly years married, what's the next step?
Genealogy Sources for Birth Dates & Places
Genealogists are looking for birth certificates or other records that will not only verify the dates, but give information about other family members. Most censuses asked for age, and an approximate birth year can be calculated from that. Researchers should also remember that people lied about their age for various reasons, or that someone else may have been giving the information.
The 1900 federal census is even more valuable because it listed the actual month and year of birth, not just the person's age.
With the combination of approximate birth year and the place of birth, researchers should check with the appropriate state vital records division to see If births were recorded for that time period. If so, request the actual birth certificate. If the birth year is before government vital records were kept, researchers will at least have a closer location and date to check church records for baptisms.
Marriage Data from Census Records
The 1930 Federal Census asked for age at first marriage. The 1900 and 1910 Censuses asked the number of years of the present marriage. The age of the oldest child can provide a general estimate of the marriage year. All of these give genealogists a range of years to search for marriage certificates, parish records, and newspapers which might have included wedding information.
Clues to Immigration Information
Immigration clues range from the place of birth listed in every census since 1850, to parents' birthplace beginning in the 1880 census, to the year of immigration and naturalization in later census records. With a birth place and approximate year of immigration, likely ships passenger lists can be searched.
An ancestor could begin and finalize his or her naturalization in different places, but having a year to search and the residences of the new citizen will make it easier.
Using Land and Tax Records from Census Clues
If an ancestor owned his own home or farm, land records can be valuable sources. They will show if land was owned jointly (often specifying the relationship) and when land was transferred from one person to another. Since land was often passed from husband to wife, or father to son, home ownership in a census can lead to additional family relationships.
Genealogy Records Relating to Occupation
The occupation of an ancestor can lead genealogists to trade organizations, such as railroad workers, labor unions, medical societies, etc., or to the special censuses, such as the Manufacturers or Industry Schedules. These records won't show additional family information, but can give family researchers insights into an ancestor's business life.
See the Find Family Ancestry in the US Federal Census Records blog post for a list of articles describing what is included in each of the federal census records from 1850 to 1930.
Click the census photo below to enlarge it for easier viewing.
Census Records Lead to Birth, Marriage, Land Info
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