Greetings one and all. Censuses are great things.. They help us learn that they do not always speak the truth, they some times speak the truth, but they always give us a glimmer of information. We may not like that information but every step is one more taken..A few years back I went to a luncheon with George K Schweitzer, Ph. D. Sc. D., as the guest speaker.. ( I will share, I go to every talk he gives if within my area).
I have for many years taken more than my research name when looking on census. My original intent was to be easier to relocate my names... ( such as when you have five people of same name). But a pattern seemed to be emerging.
George had a better method than mine.. Well proven and a terrific research aid. Work ahead of yourself... yes, save time and energy and trips to censuses... George suggested we take the 20 names before and 20 names after our names on a census always. Exception is if the census was alphabetized.. will not work then. Keep these records in your research folder with the surnames.
Because people moved in groups and families, if you're looking for them in another place you can pull out those census papers; if other surnames are in same area as this name you're researching, you can almost be more assured they are your family.
The reason is that the initial family's children will have married into your first family's neighbors; if not they will have the second generation for sure. So you definitely take 20 names before and 20 names after, when a new name shows up, or when a last name is not known for your family. You look at the neighbors' children for clues. It will amaze you as to how much easier it is to do research. For one, you have the names already, no going back and relooking at census. Another is you can look at the neighbors' children and their ages and have clues as to whom this Tom or that Jane may be.
So if you have not tried this method please do.. It has saved hours of research and time wasted.. It has given many clues to whom the other families last names maybe. It has helped to locate a common name Surname in other areas by the names surrounding it..
[Note: Visit with GFSSusi in the following AOL genealogy chats: PA SIG, Thursday 9 AM; PA SIG, Friday 10-12 PM; NY SIG, Friday 9-10 PM; Mid Atlantic/NY SIG, Tuesday 9 AM. All in the Root Cellar Chat Room. Or in the Mid Atlantic SIG, Tuesday 10-12 PM in the Golden Gates Chat Room.]
