Context in the Count: Interpreting the U.S. Census With a Historical Perspective
The U.S. federal census wasn’t designed with genealogists in mind; it was created to meet the changing needs of a growing nation. This session takes you beyond the names and numbers, exploring the historical context behind each census from 1790 to 1950. We’ll examine how shifting questions, enumeration methods, and national priorities have shaped the records we rely on today. By understanding the “why” behind the census, you’ll gain tools to interpret your ancestors’ entries with greater accuracy and uncover richer stories hidden in the data.
The U.S. federal census wasn’t designed with genealogists in mind; it was created to meet the changing needs of a growing nation. This session takes you beyond the names and numbers, exploring the historical context behind each census from 1790 to 1950. We’ll examine how shifting questions, enumeration methods, and national priorities have shaped the records we rely on today. By understanding the “why” behind the census, you’ll gain tools to interpret your ancestors’ entries with greater accuracy and uncover richer stories hidden in the data.
Case Studies in Census Conflicts – Resolving Contradictions Across Decades
Census records often contradict one another. Ages change, names vary, and places of birth are inconsistent. This session demonstrates how to analyze and reconcile those conflicts through timelines, correlation with other records, and case studies that show how to draw conclusions from imperfect evidence.
Census records often contradict one another. Ages change, names vary, and places of birth are inconsistent. This session demonstrates how to analyze and reconcile those conflicts through timelines, correlation with other records, and case studies that show how to draw conclusions from imperfect evidence.
The Many Faces of the Census: Beyond the Population Schedule – Agricultural, Mortality, and Industry Records
Most researchers stop at the population schedule, but census records also include valuable schedules that document farms, businesses, deaths, and community life. This session explores agricultural, mortality, and industry schedules, showing how they can be used to add depth to family history.
Most researchers stop at the population schedule, but census records also include valuable schedules that document farms, businesses, deaths, and community life. This session explores agricultural, mortality, and industry schedules, showing how they can be used to add depth to family history.
Advanced Census Research: Understanding Census Enumerators and Their Instructions
The census is one of our basic research tools, but basic doesn’t equal simple. Often a census record can raise as many questions as it answers, and some of those questions may seem unanswerable. Learn how an understanding of who the enumerators were, what their instructions prescribed, and some of the many ways they deviated from the instructions can answer many of the questions raised by census research.
The census is one of our basic research tools, but basic doesn’t equal simple. Often a census record can raise as many questions as it answers, and some of those questions may seem unanswerable. Learn how an understanding of who the enumerators were, what their instructions prescribed, and some of the many ways they deviated from the instructions can answer many of the questions raised by census research.
Most British and Irish pre-1841 census records have only statistical information. However, approximately 1400 returns have named individuals. The Early British and Irish Census Project (EBIC) brings all the information from those returns into one searchable, free-to-the-public database (ebc.byu.edu, will soon be ebic.byu.edu). The database covers the period before civil registration and the more comprehensive censuses. It helps researchers find early nineteenth-century and late eighteenth-century people who can be difficult to trace due to increased mobility and increased religious nonconformity.
Most British and Irish pre-1841 census records have only statistical information. However, approximately 1400 returns have named individuals. The Early British and Irish Census Project (EBIC) brings all the information from those returns into one searchable, free-to-the-public database (ebc.byu.edu, will soon be ebic.byu.edu). The database covers the period before civil registration and the more comprehensive censuses. It helps researchers find early nineteenth-century and late eighteenth-century people who can be difficult to trace due to increased mobility and increased religious nonconformity.
Was your ancestor listed in a School Census? Count yourself lucky if they were because you may just find their full names, birthdates, and the answers to family mysteries that have eluded you. Learn what they covered and the purpose, when they were made, and where to find those that still exist.
Was your ancestor listed in a School Census? Count yourself lucky if they were because you may just find their full names, birthdates, and the answers to family mysteries that have eluded you. Learn what they covered and the purpose, when they were made, and where to find those that still exist.
Dispelling the 1870 Brick Wall Myth: African American Ancestry Before the Federal Population Census
A prevalent misconception in genealogy is the belief that African Americans cannot trace their ancestry beyond the 1870 Federal Population Census. This myth, known as the “1870 Brick Wall,” suggests that records of African American ancestors, especially those who were enslaved, are virtually non-existent before this key year. This presentation will debunk this myth by exploring the wealth of resources available for tracing African American lineage before 1870. Attendees will learn about various records, strategies, and techniques that can help uncover the rich histories of African American ancestors, challenging the notion that their genealogical journey must start in 1870.
A prevalent misconception in genealogy is the belief that African Americans cannot trace their ancestry beyond the 1870 Federal Population Census. This myth, known as the “1870 Brick Wall,” suggests that records of African American ancestors, especially those who were enslaved, are virtually non-existent before this key year. This presentation will debunk this myth by exploring the wealth of resources available for tracing African American lineage before 1870. Attendees will learn about various records, strategies, and techniques that can help uncover the rich histories of African American ancestors, challenging the notion that their genealogical journey must start in 1870.
This video introduces the important supplemental U.S. federal census non-population schedules and how they can help put your farming ancestor into context.
This webinar was first released 12 August 2019 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
This video introduces the important supplemental U.S. federal census non-population schedules and how they can help put your farming ancestor into context.
This webinar was first released 12 August 2019 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
After years of using census records, genealogists may take for granted that they’re using them fully and correctly. But as they learn about genealogy standards and best practices, do they go back and re-think their census practices? What does it even mean to evaluate a census record? Let’s learn a bit more about the U.S. census and the specific ways that standards can help us to maximize its usefulness.
After years of using census records, genealogists may take for granted that they’re using them fully and correctly. But as they learn about genealogy standards and best practices, do they go back and re-think their census practices? What does it even mean to evaluate a census record? Let’s learn a bit more about the U.S. census and the specific ways that standards can help us to maximize its usefulness.
It is frustrating to search for people in digitized census records and not to find them, even when you just know they were there at the time. Drew Smith understands and shares his strategies for locating the “missing” people in this video, Not In the Census? Try Again! Learn new techniques to help ensure success.
It is frustrating to search for people in digitized census records and not to find them, even when you just know they were there at the time. Drew Smith understands and shares his strategies for locating the “missing” people in this video, Not In the Census? Try Again! Learn new techniques to help ensure success.
A Closer Look at the 1850-1950 U.S. Census Records, with a Little Extra Help
Take a closer look at the 1850 to 1950 U.S. Census records as vital genealogy resources, while looking into details you may have missed, along with benefits to and tips in using these records and a little extra help from MyHeritage!
Take a closer look at the 1850 to 1950 U.S. Census records as vital genealogy resources, while looking into details you may have missed, along with benefits to and tips in using these records and a little extra help from MyHeritage!
Diccionario geográfico de España para genealogistas: cómo interpretar lugares antiguos en tus investigaciones familiares
Tue, March 10 2026: 14:00 UTC
Aprende a usar un diccionario geográfico de España para tus estudios genealógicos. Descubre cómo identificar pueblos desaparecidos, cambios de nombres, y divisiones históricas que afectan tu árbol familiar. Ideal para genealogistas y aficionados a la historia familiar.
Aprende a usar un diccionario geográfico de España para tus estudios genealógicos. Descubre cómo identificar pueblos desaparecidos, cambios de nombres, y divisiones históricas que afectan tu árbol familiar. Ideal para genealogistas y aficionados a la historia familiar.
Leveraging Freedom of Information Laws to Procure Novel Records
Wed, March 11 2026: 18:00 UTC
This lecture will explain Freedom of Information Laws, and what genealogists can do with them. A variety of jurisdictions and case studies will be discussed.
This lecture will explain Freedom of Information Laws, and what genealogists can do with them. A variety of jurisdictions and case studies will be discussed.
From Research to Data with AI 1 of 5: From Records to Raw Data—Extracting with AI
Thu, March 12 2026: 0:00 UTC
Use AI to extract, clean, organise, and analyse your family history research. Intermediate level, focused on workflows and data handling; ideal for users managing large research projects; activities include table-building, clustering, and data cleaning.
Use AI to extract, clean, organise, and analyse your family history research. Intermediate level, focused on workflows and data handling; ideal for users managing large research projects; activities include table-building, clustering, and data cleaning.
La plupart des généalogistes n’exploitent pas pleinement tous les indices disponibles dans les annuaires municipaux. Apprenez à aller au-delà d’une simple « recherche » de vos ancêtres et de leur famille. Comprenez comment les annuaires municipaux ont été créés, les secrets des différentes abréviations et comment utiliser l’approche F.A.N. Club pour obtenir le plus d’informations possible. Ce webinaire fait partie du séminaire de généalogie MyHeritage d’une journée, diffusé en direct depuis le siège de MyHeritage à Or Yehuda, en Israël.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
La plupart des généalogistes n’exploitent pas pleinement tous les indices disponibles dans les annuaires municipaux. Apprenez à aller au-delà d’une simple « recherche » de vos ancêtres et de leur famille. Comprenez comment les annuaires municipaux ont été créés, les secrets des différentes abréviations et comment utiliser l’approche F.A.N. Club pour obtenir le plus d’informations possible. Ce webinaire fait partie du séminaire de généalogie MyHeritage d’une journée, diffusé en direct depuis le siège de MyHeritage à Or Yehuda, en Israël.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
Northumberland and Durham, in the extreme north-east corner of England, are often united when discussing family history. Our ancestors moved easily back and forth across the River Tyne, to live and work, connected by the City of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on the boundary. Discover the key resources and how to locate them in the various archives covering the two counties. Learn how to effectively use the catalogues and finding aids, see what is available online or what can only be accessed in archives or libraries. Also learn about what records are different and unique to these two counties and are really helpful in your research.
Northumberland and Durham, in the extreme north-east corner of England, are often united when discussing family history. Our ancestors moved easily back and forth across the River Tyne, to live and work, connected by the City of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on the boundary. Discover the key resources and how to locate them in the various archives covering the two counties. Learn how to effectively use the catalogues and finding aids, see what is available online or what can only be accessed in archives or libraries. Also learn about what records are different and unique to these two counties and are really helpful in your research.
Paleografía, Abreviaturas y Fórmulas Comunes de los Archivos Parroquiales en América Latina
Tue, March 17 2026: 18:00 UTC
Los archivos parroquiales constituyen una de las fuentes genealógicas más ricas de América Latina, pero también una de las más desafiantes. Este webinar guiará a los asistentes en la lectura e interpretación de registros sacramentales—bautismos, matrimonios y entierros—desde la época colonial hasta el siglo XX. Se abordarán principios básicos de la paleografía, abreviaturas frecuentes, fórmulas eclesiásticas y variaciones regionales en la manera de registrar información. Se incluirán ejercicios prácticos de lectura de documentos originales, con énfasis en errores comunes y estrategias efectivas para descifrar textos antiguos.
Los archivos parroquiales constituyen una de las fuentes genealógicas más ricas de América Latina, pero también una de las más desafiantes. Este webinar guiará a los asistentes en la lectura e interpretación de registros sacramentales—bautismos, matrimonios y entierros—desde la época colonial hasta el siglo XX. Se abordarán principios básicos de la paleografía, abreviaturas frecuentes, fórmulas eclesiásticas y variaciones regionales en la manera de registrar información. Se incluirán ejercicios prácticos de lectura de documentos originales, con énfasis en errores comunes y estrategias efectivas para descifrar textos antiguos.
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