Census records [federal and state - where available] can be a major asset to your research. But, like with any other record proceed with caution - there could be errors. Yes, really!
The 1850-1940 censuses are the most help, since they give the names of all household members. 1850-70 offer names, ages, birthplace, occupation and a scattering of other features. Relationship to the head of the household begins in 1880, as does showing the parents' birthplaces, and new data appears in each census. You have to be more vigilant with the 1790-1840 schedules.
The reliability of information depends on the informant. Did the head of the household give the info? Was it one of the children? A senile senior? A neighbor familiar with the family? Who?
Was the census taker reliable? How good was his hand writing? Was there a tavern along the enumeration route? :)-
Watch out for:
1] Ages. People fib about how old they are. Some may not have been sure. If your ancestor [1850-80] goes from 10-18-27-42 - hope they got squared away by 1900 or that you find a birth record!
2] 1850-70: Be careful on the identity of everyone in the household. There may be wives of sons in the group. Don't assume the 1st female is a much younger spouse, although she could be a 2nd or 3rd wife. Step-children may be under their step-father's name rather than their own. Birthplaces are not always correct.
3] 1900 offers the month and year of birth for each person. Verify, if possible. Either the month, year or both could be in error.
4] Double-check all information against other available censuses to see if they match. My g-g-grandmother came to America on three different dates!
5] Make sure that the Joe Schmo listed in the 1860 census for Wazoo Co., MS is your Joe Schmo! If your guy was in Michigan in 1850 and 1870 and Wyoming in 1880, what are the odds he was in Mississippi in 1860? Just because the name and age work, doesn't mean it is the right person!!
6] Your family may have been missed altogether. [Alien abduction, hiding from the law,whatever] My James and Mary Ann [Jones] Crail are missing in 1840, 1850, 1860 and 1870. Mary shows up as a widow in 1880. Sons Sylvester, John and Aaron appear in 1860 and beyond after they have married.
Remember, nearly all of the 1890 federal census is missing. Some states were lost for certain years. Check the list of states for each enumeration to see what is and isn't available. If the state has a manufacturing or agricultural census [1850-80], check it out. Also, some states have slaves schedules available. Many states had their own census every 10 years on the 5 [1885, 1895, 1925, etc.], these can be a big help as well.
Oh yeah, check for different spelling variations, no matter that the family has "always spelled the name that way"!!!!
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