Census Search Tips
- Using the "Exact Matches Only" search option in the census databases may hurt your research rather than help. Names are sometimes indexed differently from one census to the next, due to variations in spelling, transcription, or usage. Using the "Best Matches (Ranked)" option can overcome these variations, and increase the effectiveness of your census searches.
- When searching for multiple names, multiple spellings, or over multiple years, it can be difficult to keep track of all your search details. Or, as databases go through updates, or search features are enhanced, you may want to occasionally go back to recheck for missing ancestors. A research log can tell you when you last searched a specific site, or for a specific name, and save you much repeated effort.
- Whenever possible, print out images of the census pages where you have found your ancestors. The advantages of an actual copy over a transcript are several: the possibility of mistakes being made in the transcription process are eliminated; a copy will include neighbors, and give an overview of the population in the area; and, a copy makes it easy to go back and reevaluate information as new discoveries are made in your research.
- Learn the penmanship of the writer you are dealing with. Become familiar with how the letters a, s, h, p, and j are written, as well as any other letters that may be misinterpreted.
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