Using Pre-1850 Census to Find Family Relationships

1. Using Pre-1850 Census to Find Family Relationships Jean Nudd, Archivist NARA Northeast Region 10 Conte Drive Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-236-3604 Jean.nudd@nara.gov

2. Genealogical Research • First step, always, is to talk to older family members and gather information • Family stories not always accurate • What do we do when we can’t find vital records and family information doesn’t pan out? • Collateral research can help break down the brick walls we all run into

4. Methodology 1. Collateral Lines – find your ancestor’s siblings • Check 1850 and later census for the place where your ancestor lived, note other families with the same surname • Check ages of heads of household for possible parents along with places of birth • Check post-1850 census to see if elderly parents are in the sibling’s household • Look at published genealogies, town histories, newspapers, church records, etc., to find records to confirm sibling relationships

5. Methodology, cont. 2. Find Your Ancestor’s Parents * Using published pre-1850 census indexes, Ancestry.com or Heritage Quest.com, compile listings of that surname in the state where your ancestor was born. Check census depending on year of birth of your ancestor. • Check each family and match the ages with the siblings you’ve found • Check previous and future years to locate the family and check children’s ages

6. Methodology, cont. • Use other sources to confirm findings Use www.familysearch.org to find microfilmed records Check on-line sources such as USGenWeb, local historical societies, or a local library where your ancestors lived