CENSUS RECORDS

Census records were only available at the National Archives when I first started my genealogical research. There were fragments available online but no comprehensive records. However, the FHC provided the 1880 census information online and with search capability. I used this source of information to help identify the Runser family members in my attempt to link various members together. I had also searched individual reels of records for various counties in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

In 2003, I became aware of a HeritageQuest database of census records for a number of years. This database is accessed thru the Montgomery County Library or via internet using the library card for identification. I used this capability to check my manual search of the Runsers and to help identify potential Carter families.

During this activity, I decided to make a composite listing of all family names in either my line or my wife’s line. I started with the most recent people that might appear in a census record. This meant that my parents were listed as I anticipated finding them as children in their parents household. I augmented this listing to include the given names of the first family member found in my PAF. This meant I might start with the 9th generation ancestor who obviously would not likely be found in any census record. I indicated the ancestors generation and gradually added names until the listing contained all direct line ancestors back to the 9th generation. I then attempted to find all census records that show them. The listing became a spread sheet for names and census years. When I found a census record, I recorded the roll number and page number of the record on the spread sheet and placed a copy of the census record in a folder. I now have a “completed” this activity and can rapidly view all “found” census records. Obviously, for census records 1790 thru 1840 the record is a best guess since many people had the same name and without the name of the wife and children it is a best guess. When information was available for where the family lived and the number or ages of children, I made a best guess as to which was the proper census record. In doing this, I was surprised to learn of errors in the census taking. For example, my Thomas Maxwell family in 1870 could not be found until I searched for those with the given name Thomas, age 40-50, born in Scotland. I searched first in Ohio and then Pennsylvania. I found him as Thomas Mikesel with wife and children. Without the online computer search capability I would never have found this record. An interesting aspect was that this record indicated that the eldest daughter, Margaret, and eldest son, William, were born in Canada. Other census records indicated that only daughter Margaret was born in L Canada. The rest of the children were born in PA. I will now search the 1851 Ontario province census information since that area was known as Lower Canada. I hope to identify how he came to America – thru Nova Scotia?