TipWorld - http://www.tipworld.com The Internet's #1 Source for Computer Tips, News, and Gossip And now for today's tip... DOING CENSUS RESEARCH --by Diana J. Muir Some census records, such as those in the 1920 Federal Census, are indexed by a system called Soundex. All names sounding alike are assigned a code, and families with those names (listed on separate cards) are grouped together on microfilm. That way, even if you don't know how to spell a name exactly, you can find it by knowing how it sounds. The 1925 state census gives the most information. If you know your ancestors' names, you might find them in the 1925 census with their family group. You'll also find their parents' names, ages, and birthplaces. This gives you additional information to work with. Once you've located your ancestors in the census, work BACKWARD, going to 1900, 1880, 1870, and so forth. ---------------------------------------------- Born and raised in Iowa, Diana Muir began studying genealogy at the age of 18 and has subsequently taught genealogy and conducted research for 30 years. Specializing in the Midwestern United States, she has also done extensive research in Southern and Eastern States, as well as England and Ireland. Diana operates an online K-12 and post-secondary school on the Internet, Porta School, Inc., and maintains her own Web page--Mother Hubbard's Cupboard--at http://www.rootsweb.com/~genclass/ which offers eight online genealogy courses.

Cher sent: > The 1925 state census gives the most information. If you know your > ancestors' names, you might find them in the 1925 census with their > family group. You'll also find their parents' names, ages, and > birthplaces. This gives you additional information to work with. Cher, What 1925 state Census? I know about the US census every 10 years but not state census. Does every state have a decennial census? How would I find out about which one has census? I have attended Many instructional lectures, etc. put on by the Dallas Genealogical Society and do not remember anything about state census Thanks for any help on this. Monette in Dallas