Monday, April 2, 2012

Tuesday's Tip - Inputting Data on the 1910 U.S. Federal Census

1910 U.S. Federal Census

No you didn't read that wrong.  I'm still living in the 1910 census.  My intentions of getting the 1910, 1920, and 1930 census sheets up before the 1940 census was released, just did not happen.  One of those times when life gets in the way and then a cold just tops it all off...but I'll get into that on Thursday (unless life gets in the way)!

So, since my states/counties haven't made it up yet, I figured I'd get a post out.  And even though this is the 1910 census, that information is still relevant and potentially useful in tracking down where your ancestors may have lived or lived near for future censuses.  So onward to some details about this census...

The United States Census Bureau has some great information including the history of the decade, the various schedules and instructions to enumerators.

I particularly enjoyed reading this bit:

"The change of 'census day' from June 1 to April 15 was made up on the suggestion of the Census Bureau.  It was believed that the April 15 date would be more desirable, since a large number of people are away from their homes in June."

That cracked me up.  I mean, it certainly makes sense, but I did get a kick out of the census being rescheduled because of family vacations.

The census form that we deal with most frequently (and that I've created the sheet for) is Schedule (also called Volume) 1 - Population.  You can check out a complete list of the Schedules/Volumes for the 1910 census by clicking here.  Don't forget to check the information at the top and bottom of the page.  Lots of great information there to include the instructions to enumerators.

I'd normally put more in this post about the census, but I'll admit.  My butt's been kicked and this genealogist is heading to the bedroom soon with a good bowl of chicken broth.  Too much to do leads to icky colds, so until next time have fun tending those roots and good luck with the 1940 census!

[As always if there are any problems with the census form I posted, please contact me and I'll see what can be done to fix them!  You can get to this form by clicking any of the "1910 census" links above.  When the form is viewed as a Google document it will be 2 pages long and not look quite right, but once you download it to your computer it will be 1 page]