6.3 Sound Census Principles

Identifying individuals from one census to the next requires the researcher to analyze the original document, looking for clues and coincidences that tie the people to another record. Addresses and occupations are great clues for verifying the correct record. Names, ages, and genders should be similar but remember that, due to the way census records are created, there may be some variations. If a child’s birthday is late in the year, a researcher may find someone listed as five years old who was expected to be six. Sometimes ages can be multiple years off due to who reported the information, accuracy in notetaking, issues with transcribing, or problems with indexing. Other times people lie.

Remember that spelling is not standardized on census records. Spelling could be affected by how the reporter pronounced the words, how the enumerator heard the words, the way the words were written, the way the record was transcribed, how the record was indexed, or even how the researcher reads them. Always look at the original record to get as close to the source as possible. Examine each item on the document that pertains to the family because the information may give clues to finding other records or previous generations. Scan the names on the entire sheet, and back and forward one or two census sheets, because extended family members may live in the same area. Be sure to record each search in the research log.