Module 2: Visiting with Experts
Kyle travels back to the State Library of North Carolina Links to an external site. to learn more about the backbone of genealogy research, the United States Census.
Advice from the Experts
Kyle and Beth take a look at the United States Census (8:12) [Closed captions available, or view a transcript Links to an external site..]
FAN Club Principle Links to an external site.
The census helps us get a better idea of our ancestor's "FAN Club" -- their Family/Friends, Associates, and Neighbors. This handout Links to an external site. [PDF] will help you better understand how to assemble your ancestor's FAN Club.
Main Takeaways:
- The US Census is crucial for situating your relatives at a specific place and time in history
- The census changed in significant ways over time, with the earliest censuses being less comprehensive in the information recorded
- Accessing the census can happen online, in print, or on microfilm. However you access the census, it's always a good idea to view a copy of the original document, rather than just a transcription.
- By tracing your family through multiple years of the census, you can get a good idea of how your family moved, grew, and changed.
- The Census Bureau also kept special censuses, such as the Agricultural Census, the Mortality Census, the Veterans Schedules, and the Slave Schedules, all of which can be helpful in your research.
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