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United States Census Analyzing Census Data (view source)
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[[ | ''[[United States|United States ]] > [[United States Census|U.S. Census ]] > [[United_States_Census_Analyzing_Census_Data|Analyzing Census Data]]'' | ||
The elements of good census analysis include thoroughness, source citations, correlating and corroborating sources, testing for relevance, likelihood, and reasonableness, explaining contradictions, and follow up through sharing findings and your continuing education. | The elements of good census analysis include thoroughness, source citations, correlating and corroborating sources, testing for relevance, likelihood, and reasonableness, explaining contradictions, and follow up through sharing findings and your continuing education. | ||
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= '''Be Thorough'''<ref>This and most of the other headings in this article are based on elements of the [[Genealogical Proof Standard|Genealogical Proof Standard]].</ref> = | = '''Be Thorough'''<ref>This and most of the other headings in this article are based on elements of the [[Genealogical Proof Standard|Genealogical Proof Standard]].</ref> = | ||
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| | | bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | '''“Census records are the most used—yet most under used of all genealogical resources.”'''<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Censuses: Analysis, Interpretation &amp;amp; Correlations," Course 4 Advanced Methodology, Interpretations &amp;amp; Analysis, Samford University Institute of Genealogy &amp;amp; Historical Research, 2005, 4M3.</ref> | ||
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Confidence that a reasonably thorough search has been made is a cornerstone of good census analysis. Use all the censuses and use them well. And don't forget the value of comparing censuses to other sources. | Confidence that a reasonably thorough search has been made is a cornerstone of good census analysis. Use all the censuses and use them well. And don't forget the value of comparing censuses to other sources. | ||
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'''''[[Research a Family in Community Context|Study the family in community context]].'''''<ref>Ibid.</ref> Proximity implies a relationship. Research each individual in the same census household with a different surname. Look several census pages before and after an ancestor for people with similar given names, family names, occupations, or places of origin to see if they could be relatives. | '''''[[Research a Family in Community Context|Study the family in community context]].'''''<ref>Ibid.</ref> Proximity implies a relationship. Research each individual in the same census household with a different surname. Look several census pages before and after an ancestor for people with similar given names, family names, occupations, or places of origin to see if they could be relatives. | ||
'''''Compare with non-census sources.''''' Find as many non-census sources as you can for each family member. Begin a preliminary evaluation by briefly comparing censuses with other documents, especially land records, to identify neighbors and relatives. Study all sources to identify family associates and discover their relationship. | '''''Compare with non-census sources.''''' Find as many non-census sources as you can for each family member. Begin a preliminary evaluation by briefly comparing censuses with other documents, especially land records, to identify neighbors and relatives. Study all sources to identify family associates and discover their relationship. | ||
= '''Cite Your Sources''' = | = '''Cite Your Sources''' = | ||
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'''''Footnote the other events found in all the non-census sources''''' for each family member. | '''''Footnote the other events found in all the non-census sources''''' for each family member. | ||
'''''Use the comment field of each footnote''''' for a preliminary evaluation of the source. A few words of comment about the source's reliability, or how the new data compares with data in other sources will improve the more formal analysis later. | '''''Use the comment field of each footnote''''' for a preliminary evaluation of the source. A few words of comment about the source's reliability, or how the new data compares with data in other sources will improve the more formal analysis later. | ||
= '''Correlate, Corroborate, Analyze and Interpret''' = | = '''Correlate, Corroborate, Analyze and Interpret''' = | ||
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{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Beginners]][[Category: | [[Category:United_States_Census]] [[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:Research_Analysis]] | ||