RESEARCH HINTS - Benedict Research Services

CENSUS RESEARCH: To those that are following a family in U.S.Population Census records, it is important to look at local census records, mortality, agriculture, and others that fill in the ten year span between the federal enumerations. Also, watch for other family names because it was/is not unusual for children whose parent(s) died young, to find them placed with relatives. For example, a will of a young father (wife had died) lists where and with whom his children were placed. In one census, the children were given their relative’s surname and could have been missed if everything and every name had not been checked. Reasonably exhaustive research pays off more often than not!

THE 1950 U.S. POPULATION CENSUS HAS BEEN RELEASED. THERE ARE MANY ONLINE WEBINARS GIVEN MY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES AND OTHERS THAT EXPLAIN WHAT TO EXPECT FROM IT AND HOW YOU CAN BEST USE IT FOR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH.

COLLATERALS: It is very important to remember to research family, friends, and neighbors, especially when direct ancestral research has hit a “brick wall.” Many others may have information that can lead the research back to your direct family lines.