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Archiver > NORWAY > 1998-04 > 0893256741


From: Sharon Buethner <>
Subject: Re: Census Information
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 14:52:21 +0000


For those of you who can not find somebody on a Census record:

I was searching the soundex for my HILLMAN's in 1910. I knew they were
there, but they were not on the soundex. Finally I started searching for
the kids (two of whom had a different Dad, and were SCHULTZE's). Bingo, I
found them, living with WILLMAN's. A search of the actual census page
showed clearly what the problem was. A smear over the first letter of the
name caused it to incorrectly indexed as Willman instead of Hillman.

To keep this on topic, my Norwegian gggrandfather, FRIKSON, is on the 1860,
1870, and the 1905 S.D. State census. He SHOULD be on 1850 (WI), 1880 (MN),
1900 (SD) & 1910 (SD). Chances are that he is listed as ERIKSON, and that
is one thing on my "to do" list. There are just so many many Eriksons....sigh.

Sharon Buethner

At 02:36 AM 4/22/98 EDT, you wrote:
>Ken, the area you are talking about is extremely close to the border, and not
>unlikely, there is also the Census taker, and who took it issue, and who gave
>it. Especially with Ethnic accents. I've heard some unbelievable stories
>about Census takers, and seen interesting errors, you can only imagine the
>possibilities. The other issue is that that area was still land that had some
>on-going (at that time) issues with the Native American's I believe. But
>bottom line from me, go to the Grand Forks Genweb site through the North
>Dakota Genweb. they are great people, extremely helpful, have access to alot
>on-line, via NDSU, which also has an excellent Nordic Dept. I heard on the
>list. You'll find it worth it. and never never believe anything handwritten
>by a Census taker as gospel. Sue

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