Unlocking the Power of the 1950 Census
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The Excitement of Genealogy and Family History
- The Importance of Facebook Live Sessions
- The Special Guest: Lisa Louise Cook
- The 1950 Census: Getting Ready to Rock
- 5.1. Reviewing Your Family Tree
- 5.2. Running a Family Tree Builder Death Report
- 5.3. Finding 1950 Addresses of Family Members
- 5.4. Locating Enumeration District Numbers and Maps
- 5.5. Exploring the Enumerator Instructions
- 5.6. Discovering Special Infant Cards
- Using City Directories and Newspaper Indexes
- Dealing with Misspelled Names and Alternative Spellings
- The Release of Census Records and the Indexing Process
- Conclusion
Article: Unlocking the Power of the 1950 Census
The Excitement of Genealogy and Family History
Welcome to the world of genealogy and family history, where we have the opportunity to uncover the stories and connections of our ancestors. It's a Journey that can be both fascinating and rewarding, filled with endless possibilities for discovering our roots. Today, we have the pleasure of connecting through Facebook Live sessions, where experts share their knowledge and insights about genealogy and family history. These sessions are not only informative, but they also Create a Sense of unity among people from all over the world who share a common interest in exploring their heritage.
The Importance of Facebook Live Sessions
Facebook Live sessions have become a valuable resource for genealogy enthusiasts. They provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from experts in the field and gain insights into the latest research strategies, tools, and Record collections. These sessions are recorded, allowing viewers to revisit the valuable information shared by experts at their own convenience. The MyHeritage Facebook page offers a wealth of knowledge, with each session providing a treasure trove of information that can enhance our understanding of genealogy and family history.
The Special Guest: Lisa Louise Cook
In today's Facebook Live session, we have the pleasure of welcoming Lisa Louise Cook as our special guest. Lisa is the owner and CEO of Genealogy Gems, a multimedia production company. She is known for hosting the popular online family history Show, Genealogy Gems Podcast. Lisa is an expert in genealogy news, research strategies, and everything related to family history. Her expertise and passion for genealogy make her a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring their family's past.
The 1950 Census: Getting Ready to Rock
One of the most anticipated events in the genealogy community is the release of the 1950 census. Scheduled for April 2022, the 1950 census will provide valuable insights into the lives of our ancestors. As genealogy enthusiasts, it is crucial for us to prepare for this release to make the most of the census records. In this article, we will explore various ways to get ready for the 1950 census and unlock its power in discovering our family history.
- Reviewing Your Family Tree
Before diving into the 1950 census, it is essential to review your family tree and identify the individuals you want to search for in the census records. Start by narrowing down your focus to the generation that was alive during 1950. This will help you create a game plan and streamline your research efforts. Utilize tools like MyHeritage's Family Tree Builder to generate reports that list individuals who passed away after 1949, making them likely candidates for the 1950 census.
- Running a Family Tree Builder Death Report
To further refine your search, use the Family Tree Builder software to run a death report for individuals who passed away after 1949. This report will provide you with a list of people to focus on, allowing you to Gather all the Relevant information in one place. Organize this information in a spreadsheet or research log for easy reference and tracking.
- Finding 1950 Addresses of Family Members
Knowing the addresses where your family members were living in 1950 can be crucial in your search for their census records. Explore various sources, such as old letters, diaries, scrapbooks, city directories, and even military records. MyHeritage offers a vast collection of city directories and newspaper indexes, providing valuable insights into your ancestors' addresses and whereabouts during that time. Make note of these addresses in your research log or spreadsheet.
- Locating Enumeration District Numbers and Maps
Enumeration Districts (EDs) are geographic regions that census enumerators covered during the census-taking process. Knowing the ED numbers and accessing the associated maps can help You browse the census records when they become available. The National Archives and websites like SteveMorse.org offer digitized ED maps, allowing you to visually identify the neighborhoods and areas your ancestors lived in. Additionally, consider uploading these maps to your MyHeritage family tree and tagging your ancestors at their specific locations for a more interactive and contextual experience.
- Exploring the Enumerator Instructions
To have a better understanding of the 1950 census and the information it provides, it is essential to Delve into the enumerator instructions. These instructions guided census takers on how to Collect and record data during the census process. They offer insights into the questions asked, the purpose behind them, and the methodology used. By familiarizing yourself with the instructions, you will gain a deeper understanding of the census records and be able to interpret them more accurately.
- Discovering Special Infant Cards
If anyone in your family was born between January and March of 1950, they might have an associated special infant card. These cards provided additional details about infants and were filled out by their parents or Based on information from hospital records. While the availability of these cards is uncertain, be on the lookout for any mention of them in the census records release or additional resources that become available.
Using City Directories and Newspaper Indexes
City directories and newspaper indexes are valuable resources for gathering information about our ancestors' addresses, occupations, and other details. MyHeritage offers a vast collection of city directories and newspaper indexes, enabling you to track the movements and activities of your ancestors during the 1950s. Utilize these collections to find additional clues and fill in missing pieces of your family history Puzzle.
Dealing with Misspelled Names and Alternative Spellings
Genealogy research frequently involves encountering misspelled names or alternative spellings. To overcome this challenge, consider searching for alternate spellings or using wildcards in your search queries. MyHeritage's advanced search options allow you to fine-tune your searches and increase the chances of finding relevant records.
The Release of Census Records and the Indexing Process
While the exact release and indexing process may vary, it is expected that the census records will be made available at the National Archives and online platforms like MyHeritage. The release of the images typically occurs first, allowing researchers to browse the records manually. However, the indexing process may take some time to complete. The genealogy community often plays an active role in indexing and volunteers their time to accelerate the process.
Conclusion
Preparing for the release of the 1950 census is an exciting endeavor for genealogy enthusiasts. By reviewing your family tree, running reports, gathering addresses, and familiarizing yourself with enumerator instructions, you are setting yourself up for success in unlocking the wealth of information within the census records. Evolve your research techniques and take AdVantage of the resources offered by MyHeritage, including city directories and newspaper indexes. Stay patient and keep an eye out for the release of the census, as it holds the potential to reveal significant discoveries about your family's past.