Most genealogists are aware the 1890 federal census was destroyed by fire in 1921. Learn the story behind this historical and genealogical tragedy and how to research around the loss of that precious record.
Elizabeth Williams Gomoll, CG, is co-editor of the Minnesota Genealogist quarterly journal, and president of the Association for Professional Genealogists Northland Chapter. She has served three terms on the Minnesota Genealogical Society
Was looking forward to watching this video, don’t usually have opportunity/time to. Said it was free through 9/1/2021, but it stopped after the speakers introduction and asked me to join if I wanted to watch the rest of it.
Excellent webinar! It was fascinating to see the photos of the damage and the newspaper reports from the time, plus I hadn’t realized that punch cards were being used that long ago.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of the destruction of the 1890 U.S. Census. What a catastrophic event! The lack of attempts to recover the documents is so very, very sad. But, as historians always say, one cannot move forward to the future without learning from the past. With the establishments of 40 sites for archives, it appears that we have learned a very valuable lesson from the past.
Census Clues: Sweet Potato Simon, White Potato Willie, & Cows that Grow Wool
Census records are the most used—and yet the most underused—of all genealogical resources. Every major provider offers them, along with an index so we can easily find our people. Aside from a year here or there, when a pesky ancestor seems to have eluded the census taker, the use of censuses seems fairly straightforward: We use a search engine to find our person and we copy down the data. There, done!
No. Not at all! Censuses provide “facts,” but in between those “facts” there are a wealth of clues we can mine to solve our worst problems with identity, origin, and parentage. This session is for advanced researchers who think they “already know all about census records” and for newer researchers who want to avoid the mistakes most researchers make.
** This is a members-only webinar **
Census records are the most used—and yet the most underused—of all genealogical resources. Every major provider offers them, along with an index so we can easily find our people. Aside from a year here or there, when a pesky ancestor seems to have eluded the census taker, the use of censuses seems fairly straightforward: We use a search engine to find our person and we copy down the data. There, done!
No. Not at all! Censuses provide “facts,” but in between those “facts” there are a wealth of clues we can mine to solve our worst problems with identity, origin, and parentage. This session is for advanced researchers who think they “already know all about census records” and for newer researchers who want to avoid the mistakes most researchers make.
** This is a members-only webinar **
With the 1931 Canada census finally released to the public on June 1, 2023, a new window into the lives of ancestors who lived in Canada in the early 20th century is being thrown open! This census offers a snapshot of Canada at a fascinating and difficult historical period, a few years into the Great Depression. Join us for a deep dive into this long-awaited collection and discover what you can learn about your ancestors living in Canada during this time.
With the 1931 Canada census finally released to the public on June 1, 2023, a new window into the lives of ancestors who lived in Canada in the early 20th century is being thrown open! This census offers a snapshot of Canada at a fascinating and difficult historical period, a few years into the Great Depression. Join us for a deep dive into this long-awaited collection and discover what you can learn about your ancestors living in Canada during this time.
Tick Marks and Number Counts: Understanding and Using the Slave Schedules
What exactly are the 1850 and 1860 United States Slave Schedules and what is their value to researchers? A closer look at this enumeration of “slave inhabitants” will streamline interpretation of these records and will help define the do's and don’ts of working with them.
What exactly are the 1850 and 1860 United States Slave Schedules and what is their value to researchers? A closer look at this enumeration of “slave inhabitants” will streamline interpretation of these records and will help define the do's and don’ts of working with them.
Census records are notorious for having sketchy information, but they give clues that lead to more reliable records. Learn 6 things to look for in census records to find accurate facts about your ancestors.
Census records are notorious for having sketchy information, but they give clues that lead to more reliable records. Learn 6 things to look for in census records to find accurate facts about your ancestors.
Deconstructing a Conflicted Census Enumeration: Carrie Peterson aka Clara Moore
Census enumerations offer invaluable snapshots of families, but like any record, can lead researchers astray. Names may be mangled, ages fudged, or individuals or families be enumerated twice – or not at all. This entertaining presentation follows a Norwegian immigrant family forward and backward in time to untangle the makeup of a 1910 Minnesota family.
Census enumerations offer invaluable snapshots of families, but like any record, can lead researchers astray. Names may be mangled, ages fudged, or individuals or families be enumerated twice – or not at all. This entertaining presentation follows a Norwegian immigrant family forward and backward in time to untangle the makeup of a 1910 Minnesota family.
Just who was creating the documents genealogists typically turn to first? What rules did they follow? How long did they have to complete their job? How big is an enumeration district? These questions, and more, probably occur to anyone doing extensive research in the U.S. Census reports. This talk reviews the staffing, training, search for accuracy, penalties for non-cooperation, and bureaucracy of the U.S. Census from 1790 through 1950.
Just who was creating the documents genealogists typically turn to first? What rules did they follow? How long did they have to complete their job? How big is an enumeration district? These questions, and more, probably occur to anyone doing extensive research in the U.S. Census reports. This talk reviews the staffing, training, search for accuracy, penalties for non-cooperation, and bureaucracy of the U.S. Census from 1790 through 1950.
Jump-starting Your 1950 Census Research with Census Helper™
Ready to explore the newly released 1950 U.S. Census records? MyHeritage's free Census Helper™ tool is the perfect place to start. Uri Gonen, SVP Product Manager at MyHeritage, will introduce you to this handy tool he developed and show you how to use it to organize and focus your census research.
Ready to explore the newly released 1950 U.S. Census records? MyHeritage's free Census Helper™ tool is the perfect place to start. Uri Gonen, SVP Product Manager at MyHeritage, will introduce you to this handy tool he developed and show you how to use it to organize and focus your census research.
The 1950 census is exciting because it may include your great grandparents, grandparents, parents and perhaps even you! It will provide opportunities to confirm some of what we already know and clues for new research. Released just days ago, now is the perfect time to begin making discoveries. Learn from Lisa Louise Cooke what you need to know about this new census.
The 1950 census is exciting because it may include your great grandparents, grandparents, parents and perhaps even you! It will provide opportunities to confirm some of what we already know and clues for new research. Released just days ago, now is the perfect time to begin making discoveries. Learn from Lisa Louise Cooke what you need to know about this new census.
The 1921 UK Census was released earlier this year. Come explore what is new and different in this census. Learn how to search the indexed records, to understand the results, and how to take what you learn about your family further.
The 1921 UK Census was released earlier this year. Come explore what is new and different in this census. Learn how to search the indexed records, to understand the results, and how to take what you learn about your family further.
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Syllabus
I’d like to get a copy of the syllabus. Can I get it without joining? For Elizabeth’s program on 1890 census.
Hi Ann – the syllabus materials are a webinar membership benefit. Information about membership is found at https://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/memberships-c11.php.
Was looking forward to watching this video, don’t usually have opportunity/time to. Said it was free through 9/1/2021, but it stopped after the speakers introduction and asked me to join if I wanted to watch the rest of it.
Brent, try it now. You should be able to watch it. -Marian
What an awesome presentation!!!! Gave me a lot of ideas!!!
Just a correction: The Michigan State Census of 1894 is not complete. Several counties are missing including Wayne County.
Thank you for this correction. I have amended my slide and handout.
Thanks!
Excellent presentation.
Very informative. I knew I missed the 1890 but after finding what’s all in it, I really, really miss it.
Excellent webinar! It was fascinating to see the photos of the damage and the newspaper reports from the time, plus I hadn’t realized that punch cards were being used that long ago.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of the destruction of the 1890 U.S. Census. What a catastrophic event! The lack of attempts to recover the documents is so very, very sad. But, as historians always say, one cannot move forward to the future without learning from the past. With the establishments of 40 sites for archives, it appears that we have learned a very valuable lesson from the past.