I was helping someone recently and she brought only copies of the transcribed version of all the censuses she had made for her family. Those were great for general information, but she needs more....
You really need
both the actual census and the "record copy" (or
transcribed copy) of any census you use for your research. I know some of the actual censuses are not very readable and you
will have to use your own judgement, maybe a yellow marker and a magnifying glass. If it is
a collateral and I just want a vague idea of their family and its place in mine, then the transcribed copy in the
notes section of my database is enough for me.
Yellow marker? Did you know that yellow helps to bring out the words? If you are going to read films, take a yellow plastic see-through sheet with you. Then if you have trouble reading the film, lay the yellow sheet over the screen of the microfilm reader - it just might help.
Back to the topic - the transcribed copy is
wonderful for a quick look and tells you where, who, etc. (and the awful
spelling they came up with). But, there is so much more information on
the actual census. From 1900 on, it will be better printed in the
"landscape" view. It may take some practice to get the copies
right. Then turn the paper over and put the transcribed copy on the
other side, including the source information. Now it is all in one place and it saves on paper. If it is a large
family, it may fall onto two pages if you don't shrink it a bit - so try preview
before printing to save trouble and paper.
I occasionally put a copy of the transcribed census in the appropriate person's "notes" section of my database (usually the "head of household.")
So I can have a quick look at what I have. But I also keep a copy in the family
binder (or online in a family folder, if that is how you work).
I have a blank set of every census done (1790-1940) in a folder. I can refer to them if I can't read the heading of the census online or after I have copied it.
TIP OF THE
DAY! Have a good day!
