KEIM-L Archives

Archiver > KEIM > 1998-04 > 0891529117


From: cindy kimes <>
Subject: Re: KEIM and censuses
Date: Thu, 02 Apr 1998 06:58:37 -0800


Some helpful info forwarded from another list.

>
> Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 07:46:49 -0700
> Subject: A Note about the censuses & requests for lookups
>
> I am sending this to all the lists in an effort to keep people from
> getting frustrated, angry, or discouraged about not getting their
> requests filled. This is especially addressed to the newbies out there
> who have just started. I hope that someone finds this information
> useful.
> There have been many recent postings asking for lookups in the more
> recent censuses --1880-1920. Probably most of these requests have not
> been even answered: Here's why.
> 1) Only up to 1870, were the censuses indexed by state. Some states or
> genealogy/historical societies have indexed their county and/or state
> since then, but this is not a general rule.
> 2) The 1890 census was destroyed by fire in a harbour. There are a few
> remnants, mostly dealing with Civil war veterans & widows plus some
> counties which seem to be in the Southern states. Only about 5% exists
> of the original census and that's probably a large estimate.
> 3) After 1870, the government shifted to a new way to index the
> censuses. It is known as Soundex. The first letter of the last name
> is used, then numbers denoting the phonetic sound. For instance Hall is
> "H-400". I'm not sure how many different names can fit in one soundex
> code, but I do know it's helpful with the many mispellings that occured
> out there.
> Anyway, each state ran through the soundex code starting with the 1880
> census. HOWEVER, the 1880 census is soundexed ONLY for those households
> with CHILDREN under the age of 11. If no children existed in the
> household, one has to read the counties one by one to find who you are
> looking for.
> 4) 1900-1920 censuses were fully soundexed, BUT you might not find your
> family regardless. They might have been at work or just did not answer
> the door. And here's another CATCH--For some strange and unknown
> reason, quite a few of the States do NOT have soundexing for the 1910
> census. New Jersey, Washington, & Oregon are just three I know of off
> the top of my head. Illinois & Ohio have this strange computer-like
> microfilm which I've found to be a little off on the page numbers. I
> don't particulary like it, but it is better than no soundex at all.
> 5) Here are some suggestions for researching the newer censuses.
> Check out your local Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints
> (LDS, Mormons). They are in the phone book. I am not a Mormon and you
> do not need to be to use their Family History Centers. They are the best
> thing going for genealogical research if you are not located near a
> National Archive. You can order the different Soundex or census reels
> for about $3.25 each. The volunteers will attempt to help you help
> yourself---which in my humble opinion--is what genealogy is all about.
> The least you can do if you are going to ask for lookups from the
> mailing lists is to find first the index (1800-1870) or the soundex
> (1880-1920) and then ask for a specific name/county/page lookup. Even if
> you have several possibilities, it is very likely someone might help
> you. Specific information is extremely vital!!! The most important
> thing (in my mind) is to make as easy as possible on the volunteer doing
> the lookup. Their time is just as important as yours.
> Asking someone to look for John Doe in a county, a large city, or even
> a state by going through the complete census is not a reasonable
> request. You are expecting another to do your homework. A county with
> only one reel takes about 3-4 hours to read through. Chicago City in
> 1900 has over 6 reels of (very) hard to read pages. That doesn't even
> cover Cook county which are about another 4 reels.
> I'm not addressing the research options for the un-soundexed part of
> the 1910 census at this time. There are others out there who know more
> than I do about it & this letter has gone on long enough.
> My intention is to inform, not to inflame. If I make someone irate by
> my posting, please save the rest of the list & mail me privately.
> Remember, Genealogy is supposed to be fun :-)
>

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