Re: problems with Family Tree Maker's CD #313, Census Index: U.S. Selected Counties, 1810: This and other census index CDs in that series were taken directly from Accelerated Indexing Systems' (AIS) databases prepared in the 1970s and 1980s, originally published in book form state-by-state, then on microfiche, now on CD-ROM. Although the indexes have been very helpful, they have flaws in them: Missing data, garbled and incorrect data. I am quite familiar with the "Prince George County" problem for 1810. It appears that the original indexers mis-keyed "Prince William" as "Prince George." The only way you can tell what county it is supposed to be is the page range. On the microfilm of the census, and in the original record book, Prince William County immediately follows Prince George County. Prince George is on pages 262-274. Prince William is on pages 275-295. The AIS keyers simply neglected to note the change of county. But if you find an entry on the CD or printed index as showing "Prince George" and a page within the range 275-295 you can be confident that person really lived in Prince William. Bentley's index is certainly more accurate. Comparing it with AIS' data shows a number of differences in readings as well. Her page numbers are completely different. Whereas AIS used a handwritten number in the upper right corner of each folio (double page), Bentley's index refers to a handwritten number on the side of each page. For example, Bentley's index shows Prince George County between pages 529 and 550. It shows Prince William between 528 and 496 (with the pages numbered in reverse order). One bonus of AIS's index for Virginia in 1810: It includes the head counts by age appearing in each household, a complete transcript of the actual census. It may not be 100 percent accurate, but it is a good starting point for comparing prospective ancestors. On CD #313 the family statistics appear if you click on the "i" button to Show additional information about .... AIS has also included those statistics in the indexes of many, if not all, surviving federal schedules for 1790 and 1800. As always, when using those indexes, if accuracy is important to you, you must confirm the reading by going to the original census image yourself. The 1810 census was the first U.S. census to substantially survive for Virginia. (However, it did not survive for all counties. 18 counties are missing. Netti Schreiner-Yantis has published A Supplement to 1810 Census of Virginia: tax lists of the counties for which the census is missing. Published by the author, 1971. Those counties are omitted from CD #313.) Copies of returns for only two counties are known to survive for the 1800 Virginia Census: Louisa and Accomack. (For Louisa see Louisa County Historical Magazine, v. 4 (1972), p. 21-49. For Accomack see Virginia Genealogist, v. 1-2 (1957-1958).) Accomack is included on CD #312, but Louisa is omitted. Hope this information helps you understand these records better. Donald L. Wilson, Virginiana Librarian Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for Genealogy and Local History (RELIC) Prince William Public Library System Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Avenue Manassas, VA 20109-2892 (703) 792-4540 www.pwcgov.org/library/services/relic -----Original Message----- From: Greg & Debbie Raque [mailto:raque@bellsouth.net] Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2000 2:36 PM To: VAPWILLI-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [VAPWILLI-L] Pr. William Co. Census Gloria, I had the exact same thing happen with my William Munday. They had him listed in Prince George Co., Virginia for the 1810 census index. Well I was going to discount him as my ancestors father because of being in the wrong county. When I found out that they were from Prince William Co., I went to the actual census and found not only William but his son James and another Munday. None of these were listed in the census index. Imagine my surprise, just another example of checking the actual records rather than the abstracts and indexes. Just thought I would share this. Debbie Raque in Ky. > When searching for my Beckham/Beckam ancestors I found my 3Ggrandfather in > Pr. George Co. He was listed on the AIS census index for 1810, used by many > on-line as well as CD offerings. > > Imagine my utter surprise when, going to the microfilms, I found that he was > in Pr. William Co. in 1810! There he is, on the actual census!!! I can tell > you that the 1810 Index compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, pub. by the GPC > in 1980, is correct. I don't know if this error was for one page or more. > Just be careful when using any on-line or printed sources... > > Gloria in MD ==== VAPWILLI Mailing List ==== Visit the Prince William County, USGenWeb Home Page! http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapwilli/pw.htm Check out the Prince William Archives and add your records! http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/va/princewi.htm