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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'''< | = '''Be Thorough'''<ref>This and most of the other headings in this articles are based on elements of the [[Genealogical Proof Standard|Genealogical Proof Standard]].</ref> = | ||
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| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''“Census records are the most used—yet most under used of all genealogical resources.”'''< | | align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''“Census records are the most used—yet most under used of all genealogical resources.”'''<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Censuses: Analysis, Interpretation & Correlations," Course 4 Advanced Methodology, Interpretations & Analysis, Samford University Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research, 2005, 4M3.</ref> | ||
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'''''Add census events to the family group record.''''' Use the "[[Adding a Custom Event to a PAF Family Group Record|Add Custom Event]]" feature to add to the family group record the data from each census for each family member. | '''''Add census events to the family group record.''''' Use the "[[Adding a Custom Event to a PAF Family Group Record|Add Custom Event]]" feature to add to the family group record the data from each census for each family member. | ||
'''''[[Research a Family in Community Context|Study the family in community context]].'''''< | '''''[[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. | ||
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'''''Accuracy.''''' Most of the time the census got it right, but . . . Ages on a census and the spelling of names are especially prone to error whether by mistake or deliberate. Old immigration dates on a census may have been remembered incorrectly. A member of a racial minority may have hesitated to reveal his or her race to a census taker. Tired census takers may have taken sloppy notes, or struggled to understand a thick foreign accent. Censuses are an important source but should be compared with all other censuses and other documents before relying too heavily on their information. | '''''Accuracy.''''' Most of the time the census got it right, but . . . Ages on a census and the spelling of names are especially prone to error whether by mistake or deliberate. Old immigration dates on a census may have been remembered incorrectly. A member of a racial minority may have hesitated to reveal his or her race to a census taker. Tired census takers may have taken sloppy notes, or struggled to understand a thick foreign accent. Censuses are an important source but should be compared with all other censuses and other documents before relying too heavily on their information. | ||
'''''Corroboration.''''' The best tools to bring to bear on analyzing censuses are the consistency of the data when compared with other censuses and other sources. Do '''''independent''''' sources created without reference to each other agree on the facts?< | '''''Corroboration.''''' The best tools to bring to bear on analyzing censuses are the consistency of the data when compared with other censuses and other sources. Do '''''independent''''' sources created without reference to each other agree on the facts?<ref>Thomas W. Jones, "Proved?: Five Ways to Prove Who Your Ancestor Was" (printed handout for a lecture presented to library staff, 23 October 2003, Family History Library, Salt Lake City), 1.</ref> Are there any contradictory sources? If so, can you explain the contradictions? | ||
'''''Likelihood of events.''''' Logically, could the events described on the census have really happened in the order suggested when compared to other sources? Does census information reflect what really happened? | '''''Likelihood of events.''''' Logically, could the events described on the census have really happened in the order suggested when compared to other sources? Does census information reflect what really happened? | ||
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*[[Use the Information|Principles of Family History Research – Use the Information]] | *[[Use the Information|Principles of Family History Research – Use the Information]] | ||
== | == Sources == | ||
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[[Category:Beginners]] | [[Category:Beginners]] | ||