Using Pre-1850 Census to Find Family Relationships

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Using Pre-1850 Census to Find Family Relationships

• Jean Nudd, Archivist
• NARA Northeast Region
• 10 Conte Drive
• Pittsfield, MA 01201
• 413-236-3604
• Jean.nudd_at_nara.gov

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Genealogical Research

• First step, always, is to talk to older family
  members and gather information
• Family stories not always accurate
• What do we do when we cant find vital records
  and family information doesnt pan out?
• Collateral research can help break down the brick
  walls we all run into

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Methodology

• 1. Collateral Lines find your ancestors
  siblings
• Check 1850 and later census for the place where
  your ancestor lived, note other families with the
  same surname
• Check ages of heads of household for possible
  parents along with places of birth
• Check post-1850 census to see if elderly parents
  are in the siblings household
• Look at published genealogies, town histories,
  newspapers, church records, etc., to find records
  to confirm sibling relationships

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Methodology, cont.

• 2. Find Your Ancestors Parents
• Using published pre-1850 census indexes,
  Ancestry.com or Heritage Quest.com, compile
  listings of that surname in the state where your
  ancestor was born. Check census depending on
  year of birth of your ancestor.
• Check each family and match the ages with the
  siblings youve found
• Check previous and future years to locate the
  family and check childrens ages

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Methodology, cont.

• Use other sources to confirm findings
• Use www.familysearch.org to find microfilmed
  records
• Check on-line sources such as USGenWeb, local
  historical societies, or a local library where
  your ancestors lived

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