This is a major problem, especially with common surnames. Sometimes you can never sort out one John Brown from another using only one sort of record. But there are several ways to narrow down which John Brown is yours - finding marriage records, death or burial records, obits, land records, court records, wills and other vital records. Also carefully check successive (and preceding) censuses. Note all the clues in each census record - birthplaces, ages, spouses' names and ages, children's names and ages, and NEIGHBORS, then follow up on any and all of those. Do searches on the Internet (lots of them), being as specific as possible without being too specific. (I prefer the search engine Google.com). Allow for spelling variations - and errors - in names, as well as people switching from using their first name to middle name to initials to nickname. Also allow for some errors in ages and birthplaces in census records. There's a great deal of biographical and g! enealogical material out there and it's growing all the time. Good luck! P.S. I still haven't sorted out all my Curtises in early N.C. They all used the same handful of given names and they all had LOTS of sons! JRay38s@aol.com wrote: I have trouble understanding censuses totally. If you are not sure that the person in the census is YOUR person, how do you know who they are. I have looked at many censuses and see lots of families with same last name living near each other but how do you know they are the John Doe you have? Or, they only sometimes have first initials. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos, & more faith.yahoo.com

Hi all, Tonight I could not get into the censuses either, directly or through the library. It must be something the library does, which doesn't look to be available to consumers. Last night I looked up a few people, but then their system crashed, and I was getting pages for Pennsylvania when I wanted Calhoun, Kentucky. I am a subscriber to the ancestry census service, which doesn't have indexes for most of 1860, 70, 80, 1900, 10 or 30. I have found some good stuff in it, and also like the LDS 1880 census transcription, which has a bunch of CDs but is only $50. You can never do too much census work. Cindy

I was able to enter the HeritageQuest sytem at fremontlibrary.org for free. I read an old book (1868) on it and got some census indices from it, but when I tried to get much more than that, I was requested to sign in with a password, etc,. or offered a CD to buy. What I did get was better than nothing, though it was sometimes terribly (and I mean PAINFULLY) slow. Linda Moore wrote:If this is what I think it is, your library subscribes. You have to sign into your library account (using your library card number and whatever pin or password the library has given you), then log on through a link on your library's home page. Using that method enables you to sign in as part of the library, rather than as an individual (i.e., you don't have to put in an individual ID & password). The Seattle Public Library also provides access to the HeritageQuest databases, which I've used. Note that I can't seem to use it on my Windows XP computer with Norton Internet Security -- I have to use my husband's computer which is older and uses a dial-up with no security software. Linda --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos, & more faith.yahoo.com

I was in and out several times today and it worked great, but you are right, it is now requiring a library code. I just now tried the Burlington Public Library site and it is working fine. If there is something you want to look for, try it, using the steps I listed. And if it comes up and says need a log in or library bar code. I give up!! Evalyn -----Original Message----- From: ladybug [mailto:ladybug@arends-sons.com] Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 3:28 PM To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Check out Fremont Public Library I was in there too, earlier... however, now it requires a log-in..... ladybug ----- Original Message ----- From: <Yoricat@aol.com> To: <ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 3:27 PM Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Check out Fremont Public Library > Yes it does work. I've been in twice today. > > Jeanette > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Yes it does work. I've been in twice today. Jeanette

If this is what I think it is, your library subscribes. You have to sign into your library account (using your library card number and whatever pin or password the library has given you), then log on through a link on your library's home page. Using that method enables you to sign in as part of the library, rather than as an individual (i.e., you don't have to put in an individual ID & password). The Seattle Public Library also provides access to the HeritageQuest databases, which I've used. Note that I can't seem to use it on my Windows XP computer with Norton Internet Security -- I have to use my husband's computer which is older and uses a dial-up with no security software. Linda ----- Original Message ----- From: <JRay38s@aol.com> To: <ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 9:14 AM Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Free? > I don't see where it's free. you have to subscribe and I haven't seen how > much it costs or where to join. > > The second link you gave goes right to where you put your username and > password in. > > I'm confused. > > Janean > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Thanks Jeanette, Evalyn -----Original Message----- From: Yoricat@aol.com [mailto:Yoricat@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 3:28 PM To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Check out Fremont Public Library Yes it does work. I've been in twice today. Jeanette ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

I was in there too, earlier... however, now it requires a log-in..... ladybug ----- Original Message ----- From: <Yoricat@aol.com> To: <ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 3:27 PM Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Check out Fremont Public Library > Yes it does work. I've been in twice today. > > Jeanette > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > >

<PRE>No one gets it........... IT DOESN'T WORK. It requests a log in and password. How are you getting in there.

<PRE>I've tried every way possible and can't get it. The burlington library timed out. Couldn't even get to heritage, but when I got to the link it was already a different color so I'd already clicked on it before. It even says, needs library bar code.

I decided to look again - tuned in to the Freemont Library site that has been listed. Read several counties in CT in 1870. Went and had lunch - returned to read more - required a log-in..... go-figure. ladybug ----- Original Message ----- From: Evalyn Turner <eturner@ccrtc.com> To: <ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 1:16 PM Subject: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > Thanks Ladybug, > > At this time the 1870 census is the latest that both Libraries have indexed > and searchable. I think they are to add more. > > In the "Search Census" i put in the name Hutchcraft -1870 and there were > about 49 that came up. > > The "Search Books" has a lot of information- both on people and places. > > Evalyn > > -----Original Message----- > From: ladybug [mailto:ladybug@arends-sons.com] > Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 12:32 PM > To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > > > I got all the way in on the Freemont Library URL listed below - > There were only a few years listed and none I could use. > I did not stay but marked it a "favorite". ladybug@arends-sons.com > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Evalyn Turner <eturner@ccrtc.com> > To: <ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 12:50 PM > Subject: RE: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > > > > Cindy and List, > > > > The url's that Cindy lists do go directly to the Heritage Quest online, > but > > when I tried them they both required a log in, which I suppose requires a > > subscription. > > > > Both > > > > www.fremontlibrary.org > > or > > www.burlington.lib.ia.us/ > > > > are free. > > ---- > > If you chose the Fremont Library site, scroll down until you see the > little > > house and garage next to Genealogy and Local History Online. Click on > that > > and it will take you to "Search Census" > > and "Search Books". Then click on the one of your choice. > > ------- > > > > If you chose to use the Burlington Public Library site follow these steps. > > Scroll down page until you see "New On-Line Resources, Then Click on the > > line that says "Click Here to Enter Heritage Quest Online from your home > or > > office." > > This will bring you to the "Search Census" and "Search Books". You can > > click on your choice. > > > > Hope this helps. > > > > Evalyn > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Cindy Birk Conley [mailto:cbconly@midwest.net] > > Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 11:11 PM > > To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com > > Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > > > > > > Hi, > > > > Thanks for the heads up on these databases, which are from > > HeritageQuest. I can't believe this information is free. Here is a more > > direct link. http://www.heritagequestonline.com/index > > or http://www.heritagequestonline.com/prod/genealogy/searchbasic > > > > Don't stay up all night on my account. > > > > Cindy > > > > > > > > > > > > ============================== > > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, > go to: > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go > to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > >

Okay, Folks, this will work. Click on this address, scroll down to GENEALOGY AND LOCAL HISTORY ONLINE. This will bring up a page where you enter the name you are searching. I find that every time I want to access the census I have to do the above all over again. <A HREF="http://www.fremontlibrary.org/fplddb.asp">Click here: Fremont Public Library</A> http://www.fremontlibrary.org/fplddb.asp

If you got a copy of the message I sent a little while ago, Subject: censuses online, please try those steps. They work for me! Evalyn -----Original Message----- From: JRay38s@aol.com [mailto:JRay38s@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 2:00 PM To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Check out Fremont Public Library <PRE>No one gets it........... IT DOESN'T WORK. It requests a log in and password. How are you getting in there.

Yesterday I was able to access the site and found several relatives immediately on the 1870 census. But you are correct. I just tried it again to send you the site address again, and I now need to log on. Most confusing.

I think one must wait until the library logs on to the Heritage Quest site, and then navigate through the library link. I was just in the census pages, and they worked just fine. Last night while I was in the census, the login page popped up about 10 PM. The library must have logged off at that time. Maybe you will have to do your searching during library hours. Best Regards, John Hannah Benton, Arkansas God Bless America ----- Original Message ----- From: <Thikaben@aol.com> To: <ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 1:17 PM Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > Yesterday I was able to access the site and found several relatives > immediately on the 1870 census. > > But you are correct. I just tried it again to send you the site address > again, and I now need to log on. > > Most confusing. > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

Thanks Ladybug, At this time the 1870 census is the latest that both Libraries have indexed and searchable. I think they are to add more. In the "Search Census" i put in the name Hutchcraft -1870 and there were about 49 that came up. The "Search Books" has a lot of information- both on people and places. Evalyn -----Original Message----- From: ladybug [mailto:ladybug@arends-sons.com] Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 12:32 PM To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Censuses online I got all the way in on the Freemont Library URL listed below - There were only a few years listed and none I could use. I did not stay but marked it a "favorite". ladybug@arends-sons.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Evalyn Turner <eturner@ccrtc.com> To: <ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 12:50 PM Subject: RE: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > Cindy and List, > > The url's that Cindy lists do go directly to the Heritage Quest online, but > when I tried them they both required a log in, which I suppose requires a > subscription. > > Both > > www.fremontlibrary.org > or > www.burlington.lib.ia.us/ > > are free. > ---- > If you chose the Fremont Library site, scroll down until you see the little > house and garage next to Genealogy and Local History Online. Click on that > and it will take you to "Search Census" > and "Search Books". Then click on the one of your choice. > ------- > > If you chose to use the Burlington Public Library site follow these steps. > Scroll down page until you see "New On-Line Resources, Then Click on the > line that says "Click Here to Enter Heritage Quest Online from your home or > office." > This will bring you to the "Search Census" and "Search Books". You can > click on your choice. > > Hope this helps. > > Evalyn > > -----Original Message----- > From: Cindy Birk Conley [mailto:cbconly@midwest.net] > Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 11:11 PM > To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > > > Hi, > > Thanks for the heads up on these databases, which are from > HeritageQuest. I can't believe this information is free. Here is a more > direct link. http://www.heritagequestonline.com/index > or http://www.heritagequestonline.com/prod/genealogy/searchbasic > > Don't stay up all night on my account. > > Cindy > > > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

<PRE>I did all that. Clicked on Databases, scrolled to Genealogy and Local History online and it brings me to a log in page for HeritageQuest.

Cindy and List, The url's that Cindy lists do go directly to the Heritage Quest online, but when I tried them they both required a log in, which I suppose requires a subscription. Both www.fremontlibrary.org or www.burlington.lib.ia.us/ are free. ---- If you chose the Fremont Library site, scroll down until you see the little house and garage next to Genealogy and Local History Online. Click on that and it will take you to "Search Census" and "Search Books". Then click on the one of your choice. ------- If you chose to use the Burlington Public Library site follow these steps. Scroll down page until you see "New On-Line Resources, Then Click on the line that says "Click Here to Enter Heritage Quest Online from your home or office." This will bring you to the "Search Census" and "Search Books". You can click on your choice. Hope this helps. Evalyn -----Original Message----- From: Cindy Birk Conley [mailto:cbconly@midwest.net] Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 11:11 PM To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Censuses online Hi, Thanks for the heads up on these databases, which are from HeritageQuest. I can't believe this information is free. Here is a more direct link. http://www.heritagequestonline.com/index or http://www.heritagequestonline.com/prod/genealogy/searchbasic Don't stay up all night on my account. Cindy

I got all the way in on the Freemont Library URL listed below - There were only a few years listed and none I could use. I did not stay but marked it a "favorite". ladybug@arends-sons.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Evalyn Turner <eturner@ccrtc.com> To: <ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 12:50 PM Subject: RE: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > Cindy and List, > > The url's that Cindy lists do go directly to the Heritage Quest online, but > when I tried them they both required a log in, which I suppose requires a > subscription. > > Both > > www.fremontlibrary.org > or > www.burlington.lib.ia.us/ > > are free. > ---- > If you chose the Fremont Library site, scroll down until you see the little > house and garage next to Genealogy and Local History Online. Click on that > and it will take you to "Search Census" > and "Search Books". Then click on the one of your choice. > ------- > > If you chose to use the Burlington Public Library site follow these steps. > Scroll down page until you see "New On-Line Resources, Then Click on the > line that says "Click Here to Enter Heritage Quest Online from your home or > office." > This will bring you to the "Search Census" and "Search Books". You can > click on your choice. > > Hope this helps. > > Evalyn > > -----Original Message----- > From: Cindy Birk Conley [mailto:cbconly@midwest.net] > Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 11:11 PM > To: ILWHITE-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [ILWHITE] Censuses online > > > Hi, > > Thanks for the heads up on these databases, which are from > HeritageQuest. I can't believe this information is free. Here is a more > direct link. http://www.heritagequestonline.com/index > or http://www.heritagequestonline.com/prod/genealogy/searchbasic > > Don't stay up all night on my account. > > Cindy > > > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > >

<PRE>you people must have a genie to get there. Every link you give goes to log in.