Washington Census Tips

United States Census Washington Census  Tips

Census Tips

 * Why:
 * Relatives, such as grandchildren or married children, may live with them
 * They may live with a child, such as a married daughter, in their later years
 * Neighbors may be relatives or old friends from their home state.


 * Why:
 * You may find sisters living in the area.
 * Your ancestor's widowed mother may have remarried.
 * Notice the ages: were the women old enough to be sisters? Aunts? The mother?
 * Notice your ancestor's deeds and other records: Were any of those husbands witnesses?


 * Why:
 * Gaps in ages of children may be a clue to:
 * A second marriage of the couple: Check marriage records for this.
 * A child died young. Check cemetery, church, funeral, and other records.
 * Where the children were born (state, nation) may be a clue to:
 * When the family migrated
 * Ages of husband and wife may be clues:
 * In a second marriage, the husband may be older than the wife.
 * Compare ages of the wife and the children:
 * The oldest child: was the wife too young to be the mother? (Child-bearing years for most women were between 16–40.)
 * The youngest child: was the wife too old?


 * For example:

Follow the children through censuses, as well.

Census Index Tips

 * Why:
 * Indexers vary in skill and accuracy
 * The quality of the image or copy they used affects the quality of the index
 * Some indexers are local and more familiar with the names or families of the area than others


 * Why:
 * Created by local societies or groups who knew the families of the area, these indexes are often more accurate
 * Footnotes or information about the family may be added
 * Where to find them
 * Many are published in books or periodicals
 * Search online catalogs and check with local libraries

Maiden Name of Mother
A child's middle name is sometimes the maiden name of the mother

Obituaries sometimes list maiden name of wife/mother

How do I know this is MY person?
Family members - the more you know the more you will recognize Occupation

Other people your ancestor knew How is this going to be explained?

Immigration and Naturalization
Some federal censuses give the year of immigration.