By Barry J. Ewell
Find you ancestor in every census taken during the time they lived. If I was researching my grandfather who lived from 1852 to 1922, I would begin my search in the following Federal Population census: 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890’s state census (note: 99% of the 1890 Federal census was destroyed by fire and flood, 1900, 1910, and 1920. Start with the most recent census and work backwards. See the article, ” Use the census records to track your ancestors’ movement over time.” Also see the the John I. Stewart example 1850-1930. Start with the 1850 census or 1930 census.
- Study the ages of all family members in each census
- Return to the census when you have more experience
- Using 1860-1900 migration patterns to find records
- Build a family profile