Use U.S. Census Information to Resolve Family History Research Problems

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records 1

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Between 1860 and 1900 the Civil War is still very fresh in the minds and lives of Americans Families are on the move

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Don t be surprised if you are finding your family living in different locations with each census within the same county, state and region Each place they lived will be cause to search for records

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records The following is the process I have used for using the family migration patterns between 1860-1900 to research and find records

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Chances are your ancestors moved Even if your family stayed in one place before, during and after the war, start with the premise that your family moved after the Civil War every several years I have frequently found families living between 1860-1900 to be on the move migrating from one place to the next

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Chart family location 1860-1900 Find a regular map that you would use for travel IL IN OH Mark on a map every place your family lived between 1860, 1870, 1880 and 1900 MO KY WV MD VA AR TN NC SC MS AL GA

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records 1890 census lost Remember the 1890 census was mostly lost to fire and there will be a 20 year gap between 1880 and 1900 that you will not be able to account for the travels of your family 1890 Census 1880 20 year gap 1900

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Use state census records Check to see if you can find your family in the state census to help build out the family profile and chart their locations in between the federal census years MO 1860 1864 1876 1880 IL IN KY OH MD WV 1782 1785 1786 VA AR TN 1891 NC SC MS AL GA

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Chart the migration path Once you have outlined the places your ancestors have lived on a modernday map, draw a line that connects each point on the map so you can visually see their migration path MO AR IL IN KY OH WV MD VA Your map now shows the migration pattern and potential routes your family took between each location they lived TN MS AL GA NC SC

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Migration search strategy Now identify all the key record repositories along the migration path that you have charted MO IL IN OH WV MD Start by identifying each county along the migration route AR KY VA TN NC SC MS AL GA

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Migration search strategy Within each county, locate the courthouse, historical/genealogical societies, local and regional libraries, college/university libraries and archives KY This list of repositories is now your migration search strategy which you will systematically search for records of your family TN

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records Search county by county along the migration route Search the records of every county along the migration route. As I have tracked my ancestors through the census records, I have found them living several hundred miles distance from one census to the next KY TN

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records 25 mile radius strategy Another concept I have used in searching for records is to draw a 25-mile radius from each location my ancestors lived and find all the record repositories in the circle

Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records 25 mile radius strategy Once I have exhausted my research options, I then extend the circle by five miles to find the next group of repositories to research

Create a list of possible events, Federal/state censuses, and wars 2

Maxcey Pleasant William F. Francis M. Ewell Ewell Ewell Ewell Abt 1720-1800 1788-1852 1815-1848 1834-1904 What are the vital record dates for ancestors? Birth VA VA 1788? 1788 VA 1815 MO 1834? Albemarle, Co. Fluvanna, Co Ray, Co Marriage VA 1769 VA 1814 IA 1834 UT 1858 Goochland, Co. Augusta, Co. Pottawattamie, Co Salt Lake, Co. Death VA 1800 UT 1852 IA 1848 UT 1904 Albemarle, Co Utah, Co Pottawattamie, Co Carbon, Co.

Maxcey Pleasant William F. Francis M. Ewell Ewell Ewell Ewell Abt 1720-1800 1788-1852 1815-1848 1834-1904 During what U.S. Federal Census did your ancestor live? Utah, Co.

Maxcey Pleasant William F. Francis M. Ewell Ewell Ewell Ewell Abt 1720-1800 1788-1852 1815-1848 1834-1904 During what state census did your ancestor live?

Maxcey Pleasant William F. Francis M. Ewell Ewell Ewell Ewell Abt 1720-1800 1788-1852 1815-1848 1834-1904 During what wars could your ancestor possibly have served in? Revolutionary War 1775-1783 War of 1812 1812-1815 Mexican- American War 1846-1848 US Civil War 1861-1865 Mormon Battalion Utah Black Hawk Indian War 1865-1872

Four-step research strategy for pre- 1850 U.S. Federal census 3

Four-step strategy for pre-1850 U.S. Federal census Step 1: Create a family profile from 1850 census Starting with 1850 census, create a profile of the family you have confirmed as your family or the household you are wanting to research 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Name Sex Relation Age Race James Stewart Male Father 42 White Susan Female Mother 41 White David Male Son 21 White Sarah Female Daughter 19 White Archibald Male Son 17 White Amos Male Son 15 White Martin Male Son 12 White James Male Son 9 White Martha Female Daughter 7 White Location Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia

Four-step strategy for pre-1850 U.S. Federal census Step 2: Subtract 10 years from each person s age In the 1840 census, you are only provided head of household name and categories: race/sex/age. In order to increase my probability of finding the right household, subtract 10 years from the age of each person in 1850 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Name Sex Relation Age Race James Stewart Male Father 32 White Susan Female Mother 31 White David Male Son 11 White Sarah Female Daughter 9 White Archibald Male Son 7 White Amos Male Son 5 White Martin Male Son 2 White James Male Son Not born yet Martha Female Daughter Location Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Fulton Co., Georgia Not born yet

Four-step strategy for pre-1850 U.S. Federal census Step 3: Apply the 1840 race/sex/age category combination to each person Obtain either a 1840 census list of the category combinations and/or 1840 blank census form for steps 3-4 1840 US Federal census categories (partial) Head of Household Town, City, County or Village Head of Family Free White Males Under 5 years (0-4) 5 & under 10 (5-9) 10 & under 15 (10-14) 15 & under 20 (15-19) 20 & under 30 (20-29) 30 & under 40 (30-39) 40 & under 50 (40-49) 50 & under 60 (50-59) 60 & under 70 (60-69) 70 & under 80 (70-79) Free White Females Under 5 years (0-4) 5 & under 10 (5-9) 10 & under 15 (10-14) 15 & under 20 (15-19) 20 & under 30 (20-29) 30 & under 40 (30-39) 40 & under 50 (40-49) 50 & under 60 (50-59) 60 & under 70 (60-69) 70 & under 80 (70-79)

Four-step strategy for pre-1850 U.S. Federal census Step 3: Apply the 1840 race/sex/age category combination to each person Obtain either a 1840 census list of the category combinations and/or 1840 blank census form for steps 3-4 1840 US Federal census categories (partial) Head of Household Town, City, County or Village Head of Family *Categories highlighted in red will apply to the Stewart family Free White Males Under 5 years (0-4) 5 & under 10 (5-9) 10 & under 15 (10-14) 15 & under 20 (15-19) 20 & under 30 (20-29) 30 & under 40 (30-39) 40 & under 50 (40-49) 50 & under 60 (50-59) 60 & under 70 (60-69) 70 & under 80 (70-79) Free White Females Under 5 years (0-4) 5 & under 10 (5-9) 10 & under 15 (10-14) 15 & under 20 (15-19) 20 & under 30 (20-29) 30 & under 40 (30-39) 40 & under 50 (40-49) 50 & under 60 (50-59) 60 & under 70 (60-69) 70 & under 80 (70-79)

Four-step strategy for pre-1850 U.S. Federal census Step 3: Apply the 1840 race/sex/age category combination to each person Based on the estimated ages of each person, assign one of the 1840 category combinations for each individual in the household 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Name Race Age James Stewart Free White Male 32 Susan Free White Female 31 David Free White Male 11 Sarah Free White Female 9 Archibald Free White Male 7 Amos Free White Male 5 Martin Free White Male 2 Race 30 & under 40 (30-39) 30 & under 40 (30-39) 10 & under 15 (10-14) 5 & under 10 (5-9) 5 & under 10 (5-9) 5 & under 10 (5-9) Under 5 years (0-4) 5 & under 10 (5-9) *Note that Martin is under 5 years old. I am going to look for a household where a male child could be either in the male category of 5 & under 10 or Under 5 years.

Four-step strategy for pre-1850 U.S. Federal census Step 4: Build a household search for the household in the 1840 census Based on steps 1-3, I will finalize my 1840 household search profile(s) and start my search in the 1840 census location for the James Stewart household Key points to remember: 1 2 3 4 James Stewart is the head of household Martin is 5 so I want to make sure I have a profile that will account for him being counted in either category. Profile 1 is for the 5 & under 10 category and profile 2 is for the Under 5 years category. Since the family lived in Fulton County, Georgia, I will begin my search there Use a blank 1840 census form to transcribe and record what you find

Build a family profile 4

Build a family profile The more you know, the more options you have of correctly identifying and connecting the family one generation to the next

Build a family profile When I build my family profile (or circle of influence), I like to include the following information. Family Profile Circle of Influence

Build a family profile Parents Father Mother

Build a family profile Step-parents Step-mother

Build a family profile Step-parents Step-father

Build a family profile Children Brothers Sisters Step-children Adoptions

Build a family profile Brothers and sisters Brothers Sisters Brothers-in-law Sisters-in-law

Build a family profile Grandparents Fathers side Mothers side Step-parents side

Build a family profile Siblings of parents and their families Fathers side Mothers side Step-parents side

Build a family profile Neighbors Names Surnames Family

Build a family profile Groups Church group School group Organizations

Build a family profile Person living in the house but not family members Boarders

Build a family profile Persons who are identified as servants or slaves Servants Slaves

Build a family profile Acquaintances Friends Associates

Build a family profile Witnesses listed on documents

Build a family profile List of surname and variations Ewell Uhl Yuille Zwille Ewel Yule Euel Surname variations

Build a family profile Locations of where known and/or suspect family members (i.e., towns, regions, states) lived IL IN OH KY Locations

Build a family profile List of documents you have organized in a timeline format 1865 1873 Documents 1888 Timeline

Build a family profile Ewell Zwille Uhl Yuille Ewel Yule Euel Circle of Influence

Build a family timeline 1865 1873 1888 5

Build a family timeline 1865 1873 1888 1895 Create a family timeline 1907

Build a family timeline List the years, months and dates of events

Build a family timeline List the exact localities

Build a family timeline List potential spelling variants Uhl Ewell Yuille Zwille Yule Euel Ewel

Build a family timeline Place timeline in chronological order

Build and expand family timeline Events Location Online Information Uhl Ewell Yuille Zwille Yule Euel Ewel Surnames Chronology

Expand the family timeline 1865 1873 1888

Build family timeline Online background information

Expand family timeline Local histories that might be mentioned in online sources or be online

Expand family timeline Neighbors who arrived at the same time

Expand family timeline Online histories

Expand family timeline Church histories

Expand family timeline Family histories of the direct-line and associates/neighbors

Expand family timeline Occupational histories

Build and expand family timeline Local Histories Events Neighbors Location Online Histories Online Information Church Histories Family Histories Uhl Ewell Yuille Zwille Yule Euel Ewel Surnames Chronology Occupational Histories

Step 1: What do you know about your family? Reverse chronologically Starting from their death and moving toward their birth Start a profile and timeline of your ancestor

Step 1: What do you know about your family? What do you see?

Step 1: What do you know about your family? Any trends?

Step 1: What do you know about your family? What don t you see?

Step 1: What do you know about your family? What gaps do you see in the information?

Step 1: What do you know about your family? Write down all the questions you still need and want to answer

Step 1: What do you know about your family? Double-check that you've reviewed every document you have on your ancestor-- files in the possession of your relatives

Hit a brick wall? be patient and persistent 6

Hit a brick wall? Be patient and persistent It is tempting to rush to conclusions about things before you have supporting documentation

Hit a brick wall? Be patient and persistent But.. It is much more satisfying to be patient and find verifiable answers SLOW DOWN

Think like a historian How would you describe a genealogist?

Think like a historian We look for clues that might direct us to the birthplace in the country of origin We start searching through deeds, wills, Bible records, etc.

Think like a historian How would you describe a historian?

Think like a historian Someone who studies the past; a history detective Historians gather evidence and use that evidence to make their best guess about what really happened in the past

Think like a historian What value is there for a genealogist to think like a historian?

Think like a historian You re trying to understand what your ancestors did and why You become aware of clues that lead you to find your ancestors

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls What do you know? Write it down

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Analyze information and develop timeline

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Identify the gaps and what you want to know

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Evaluate the times and seasons of ancestors

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Search the collateral lines and neighbors

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Look at alternative spellings

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Look in the land records

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Follow the census one generation at a time

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Research the immigration and migration patterns

Ten steps to breaking down brick walls Retrace your steps

Partial list of census don ts for researching the census DON Ts 7

Partial list of census don ts Don t assume census indexes are correct or complete

Partial list of census don ts James Ewell James Yule James Zwille Do not assume spellings are as you think

Partial list of census don ts Don t assume relationships are exactly as stated

Partial list of census don ts Don't forget to copy all of the entries for the surname in the county

Partial list of census do s for researching the census DO s 8

Partial list of census do s Do think the records before 1850 can help

Partial list of do s Do use the state census records

Partial list of do s Do not believe all census data to be true and correct

Partial list of do s Do study the enumerator's handwriting so you can make comparisons

Partial list of do s Do watch for families split onto two pages with the surname not repeated at the top of the next page

Partial list of do s Maxcey Pleasant William F. Francis M. Ewell Ewell Ewell Ewell Abt 1720-1800 1788-1852 1815-1848 1834-1904 During what U.S. Federal Census did the ancestor live? Utah, Co. Do try to find your ancestors in every census taken in their life time

Partial list of census do s Do check family histories and other sources of neighbors who might have come from the same state to locate a new town of residence if you cannot determine that information on your ancestor

Partial list of census do s M = Mortgaged F = Owned free and clear If home or farm house owned free and clear or mortgaged Do take note of real estate and personal property values to determine if a deed or will search is appropriate

Partial list of census do s Do use maps in conjunction with your census searching

Partial list of census do s Do search across state, county, and town lines if your ancestors lived near a border

Research collateral lines and neighbors In the census, look closely at the 6-10 families before and after your ancestors

Research collateral lines and neighbors While they may seem unrelated now, you may find something in the future to indicate otherwise

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