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United States Census Analyzing Census Data: Difference between revisions
United States Census Analyzing Census Data (view source)
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The more of these ideas you use, the better your analysis will be. | The more of these ideas you use, the better your analysis will be. | ||
= '''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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'''''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''' == | ||
Good record keeping contributes to good analysis. Start with a [[Family group record: roadmap for researchers|well documented family group record]] even before you look at a census. Keep organized and [[Document AS YOU GO!|document as you go]]. Good source footnotes are another cornerstone of good analysis. | Good record keeping contributes to good analysis. Start with a [[Family group record: roadmap for researchers|well documented family group record]] even before you look at a census. Keep organized and [[Document AS YOU GO!|document as you go]]. Good source footnotes are another cornerstone of good analysis. | ||
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'''''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''' == | ||
After you have conducted a thorough search of the sources, and source footnoted them, you are ready to correlate, analyze, and interpret the evidence. Thoughtful correlation and comparison of many sources is what analysis is all about. | After you have conducted a thorough search of the sources, and source footnoted them, you are ready to correlate, analyze, and interpret the evidence. Thoughtful correlation and comparison of many sources is what analysis is all about. | ||
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'''''Milk censuses for what they imply.''''' Think about the implications of what is on the census and what is not on the census. For example what does it mean when someone appears, disappears, or lives nearby on the census. Could a 14 year old girl with a different surname appearing in a household be a niece as well as a maid? Could the disappearance of a lady in her 60s mean she died, or went to live with one of her children? If an ancestor with the surname CRAIG lives next to someone with the surname GREG could they be related with different versions of the same name? | '''''Milk censuses for what they imply.''''' Think about the implications of what is on the census and what is not on the census. For example what does it mean when someone appears, disappears, or lives nearby on the census. Could a 14 year old girl with a different surname appearing in a household be a niece as well as a maid? Could the disappearance of a lady in her 60s mean she died, or went to live with one of her children? If an ancestor with the surname CRAIG lives next to someone with the surname GREG could they be related with different versions of the same name? | ||
= '''Explain Contradictory Evidence''' = | == '''Explain Contradictory Evidence''' == | ||
Do not ignore contradictions. Embrace contradictory evidence in censuses or other sources and try to explain it. This honesty will strengthen the case you are trying to make. | Do not ignore contradictions. Embrace contradictory evidence in censuses or other sources and try to explain it. This honesty will strengthen the case you are trying to make. | ||
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Sometimes, it is best to admit you cannot explain every discrepancy, or tell which contradictory version is most trustworthy. | Sometimes, it is best to admit you cannot explain every discrepancy, or tell which contradictory version is most trustworthy. | ||
= '''Check for Reasonable Conclusions''' = | == '''Check for Reasonable Conclusions''' == | ||
Be wary of far-fetched conclusions. Are your analysis and interpretation well-reasoned and are they reasonable? | Be wary of far-fetched conclusions. Are your analysis and interpretation well-reasoned and are they reasonable? | ||
= '''Follow-Up''' = | == '''Follow-Up''' == | ||
'''''Share.''''' One of the final steps of good analysis is to [[Sharing: a good way to FIND ancestors|share your findings]] with others. This allows them to make constructive suggestions and may lead to new evidence. Share and collaborate with others to improve your census analysis. | '''''Share.''''' One of the final steps of good analysis is to [[Sharing: a good way to FIND ancestors|share your findings]] with others. This allows them to make constructive suggestions and may lead to new evidence. Share and collaborate with others to improve your census analysis. | ||
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<br>Using all the censuses available for all the family members, carefully citing censuses in source footnotes, corroborating censuses and other sources, checking the likelihood of events, milking them for all the possible implications, explaining contradictions, and drawing reasonable conclusions are all part of good census analysis. Share your census findings and analysis with others, and continue to grow through education to sharpen your analytical skills. | <br>Using all the censuses available for all the family members, carefully citing censuses in source footnotes, corroborating censuses and other sources, checking the likelihood of events, milking them for all the possible implications, explaining contradictions, and drawing reasonable conclusions are all part of good census analysis. Share your census findings and analysis with others, and continue to grow through education to sharpen your analytical skills. | ||
== '''Related Content''' == | === '''Related Content''' === | ||
*[[Use the Information|Principles of Family History Research – Use the Information]] | *[[Use the Information|Principles of Family History Research – Use the Information]] | ||
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*Tiffany Perkins, ''[http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/Mid_Continent_Library/Take_a_Research_Trip_with_Tiff!/Player.html Take a Research Trip with Tiff!]'' (25 minute online video) [https://www.familysearch.org/learningcenter/home.html FamilySearch Research Classes Online] and [http://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy Mid-Continent Public Library, Midwest Genealogy Center], 2010. | *Tiffany Perkins, ''[http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/fhd/Community/Mid_Continent_Library/Take_a_Research_Trip_with_Tiff!/Player.html Take a Research Trip with Tiff!]'' (25 minute online video) [https://www.familysearch.org/learningcenter/home.html FamilySearch Research Classes Online] and [http://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy Mid-Continent Public Library, Midwest Genealogy Center], 2010. | ||
== Sources == | === Sources === | ||
{{reflist}} {{USCensus}} | {{reflist}} {{USCensus}} | ||
[[Category:United States Census Research Strategies]] | |||