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Archiver > GEN-AFRICAN > 1996-09 > 0842812250


From: <>
Subject: How to better utilize SOUNDEX
Date: 15 Sep 1996 11:30:50 -0700


I use the Soundex to identify direct ancestors and their county
of residence. I then do what you are apparently already doing. I
go through the entire census for that county and post office
branch and copy every entry with the same family name.

Many of our families lived in the same area as their siblings,
parents and slave owner!

You would be amazed at the number of uncles and grandparents
living within a few houses of your direct kin! I showed my 1910
census to an elderly aunt, who immediately recognized a neighbor
as Uncle Mack who used to hunt possum.

In the 1870 census, these are the earliest names we will
find easily. The 1860 census consists of slave schedules with no
names. I am clustering those who are close in age as possible
siblings. It may also help if their parents were born in other
states. This way, the age clustering plus similar birthplaces
for their parents suggest to me that they may be siblings.

I use the name of the closest white family in the census
records with significant assets and the same family name as my
ancestors as the probable former slave owner. Unfortunately, you
must then research the white family to identify the father who
may have named slaves in his will. If he died after 1865, he had
no slaves to give.

Good luck in your search.


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