By
By
Webinar Library
Historical Records Census Records

Case Studies in Census Conflicts – Resolving Contradictions Across Decades

Cheri Hudson Passey
Feb 4, 2026
654 views
CC
Free
Free through February 11, 2026
Want to watch the full webinar?
Join now to access all 2,642 webinars and unlock all features.
Join now
Syllabus
Join now

Content

Play. Playing.
Welcome
1m 31s
Play. Playing.
Speaker's Introduction
1m 03s
Play. Playing.
Introduction
6m 05s
Play. Playing.
Common Census Conflicts
5m 48s
Play. Playing.
What Causes Conflicts?
6m 30s
Play. Playing.
Historical Disruption
9m 00s
Play. Playing.
Case Study 1
13m 22s
Play. Playing.
Case Study 2
8m 14s
Play. Playing.
Takeaways
3m 45s
Play. Playing.
Announcements /prizes
5m 42s
Play. Playing.
Questions / answers
13m 33s

About this webinar

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.

Discount code: deepdive215 (valid at Familytreewebinars.com)

Valid through: February 10, 2026

About the speaker

About the speaker

Cheri Hudson Passey
Cheri Hudson Passey is a Professional Genealogist, Instructor, Writer, and Speaker and the owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC. Cheri is the host of the genealog
Learn more...

Comments (50)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

1000 characters remaining
Cancel Submit

Sort by Newest
Sort by Close.
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Likes
  1. LJ
    Leslie Johnson
    2 days ago

    This was an excellent webinar! I really appreciated the many research tips and the case studies where the speaker walked us through her methodology. I highly recommend this class.

    Reply
  2. JH
    Jane Harmon
    2 days ago

    What valuable information for every confused or frustrated researcher over a census—or any other document—conflict. And that’s all of us at some point.

    Reply
  3. CL
    Clara Lawver
    2 days ago

    I have so many of these exact same questions. It will be interesting to re-examine those conflicts after listening to today’s presentation. Thank you for an easy to follow syllabus. Clara Lawver in NE

    Reply
  4. EB
    Emily Brown
    2 days ago

    I was very excited to figure out what I am missing in my search. Thanks for this webinar.

    Reply
  5. DC
    Donna Chavarro
    2 days ago

    I have come across quite a few inconsistencies with the censuses… this webinar gave me great ideas to look at them in different ways. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. CC
    Christine Clark
    2 days ago

    Critical thinking skills are essential to resolving conflicts. This webinar helps you develop or improve these skills. Great program!

    Reply
  7. LD
    Lorna Defiebre
    2 days ago

    Cheri is always a joy to listen to. So knowledgeable!

    Reply
  8. AP
    Anita Payne
    2 days ago

    so informative, I learnt a lot, thank you

    Reply
Show all comments

Related Webinars

58:19
Historical Records
The Many Faces of the Census: Beyond the Population Schedule – Agricultural, Mortality, and Industry Records
Cheri Hudson Passey
625 views
CC
Free
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.
Historical Records
The Many Faces of the Census: Beyond the Population Schedule – Agricultural, Mortality, and Industry Records
CC
Free
Cheri Hudson Passey
625 views
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.
Wed, February 4 2026: 17:45 UTC
Register for free
1:10:02
Historical Records
Context in the Count: Interpreting the U.S. Census With a Historical Perspective
Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal, CG®
550 views
CC
Free
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.
Historical Records
Context in the Count: Interpreting the U.S. Census With a Historical Perspective
CC
Free
Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal, CG®
550 views
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.
Wed, February 4 2026: 20:30 UTC
Register for free
1:01:11
Historical Records
Advanced Census Research: Understanding Census Enumerators and Their Instructions
Annette Burke Lyttle, CG®
745 views
CC
Free
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.
Historical Records
Advanced Census Research: Understanding Census Enumerators and Their Instructions
CC
Free
Annette Burke Lyttle, CG®
745 views
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.
Wed, February 4 2026: 16:30 UTC
Register for free
55:29
Historical RecordsWebtember
School Censuses: What, When and Where
Billie Stone Fogarty, M.Ed.
750 views
CC
School Censuses: What, When and Where
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.
Historical RecordsWebtember
School Censuses: What, When and Where
CC
Billie Stone Fogarty, M.Ed.
750 views
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.
Wed, September 24 2025: 15:30 UTC
Register for free
39:37
Historical Records
U.S. Agricultural Census Schedules
George G. Morgan
330 views
CC
U.S. Agricultural Census Schedules
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.
Historical Records
U.S. Agricultural Census Schedules
CC
George G. Morgan
330 views
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.
Thu, March 13 2025: 12:00 UTC
Register for free
1:19:24
BCGMethodology and SkillsHistorical Records
Applying Research Standards to the Census
Diane MacLean Boumenot, CG
1.4K views
CC
Applying Research Standards to the Census
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.
BCGMethodology and SkillsHistorical Records
Applying Research Standards to the Census
CC
Diane MacLean Boumenot, CG
1.4K views
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.
Wed, February 19 2025: 1:00 UTC
Register for free
48:54
Historical Records
Not in the Census? Try Again!
Drew Smith
336 views
CC
Not in the Census? Try Again!
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.
Historical Records
Not in the Census? Try Again!
CC
Drew Smith
336 views
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.
Tue, December 31 2024: 12:00 UTC
Register for free
1:03:22
Historical RecordsMethodology and Skills
Solving a 1770 problem with the 1880 census
Warren Bittner
1.9K views
CC
Solving a 1770 problem with the 1880 census
Follow a case study where a 1770 brick wall was solved using the 1880 census. Learn tips and tricks to use sources creatively.
Historical RecordsMethodology and Skills
Solving a 1770 problem with the 1880 census
CC
Warren Bittner
1.9K views
Follow a case study where a 1770 brick wall was solved using the 1880 census. Learn tips and tricks to use sources creatively.
Wed, July 31 2024: 18:00 UTC
Register for free
1:11:46
Historical RecordsMyHeritage
A Closer Look at the 1850-1950 U.S. Census Records, with a Little Extra Help
Diane Henriks
1.6K views
CC
Free
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!
Historical RecordsMyHeritage
A Closer Look at the 1850-1950 U.S. Census Records, with a Little Extra Help
CC
Free
Diane Henriks
1.6K views
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!
Tue, May 14 2024: 18:00 UTC
Register for free