There is a tutorial that has been created with the express purpose of helping individuals with little or not previous census research experience to learn how to effectively search and utilize the U.S. Federal Census schedules. Censuses are an important potential source of information about individuals,households,and communities located in the United States within the last 200 years.
Despite the quality of the source,finding an individual in a census can be a frustrating experience without a basic understanding of census history and purpose,types of indexes,and available sources. You can use this tutorial and increase your knowledge and understanding of the U.S. Federal Census. You will be able to apply the methodology taught in the tutorial to locate individuals listed in the U.S. population schedules.
You can find the tutorial at http://census.byu.edu/project_files/xml/page2.xml
The tutorial was created to give an overview of census research as well as provide information about several aspects of census research. The links in the tutorial may be used in a variety of ways. You may either start at the beginning and systematically go through each page,which will provide a comprehensive overview as to how to effectively search the population schedules of the U.S. censuses;or more experienced users may use the links to find information on a specific area of census research.
To begin,you just click on the link “Begin the Tutorial.” Read through the pages and then click “Next”to continue.
Census records are available for the United States beginning in 1790 although they only listed the head of household until the 1850 census. The most recent census available is 1930. The 1940 census is due to be released in 2012 because of the 72-year U.S. Privacy Act.
Shanna Sullivan Jones is a professional genealogist. She can be reached at (435) 628-4900 or shannasjones@msn.com.
