Do you use multiple sources for census searches?  Now that census images for the U.S. and UK are available online from multiple providers, it’s always a good idea to search each of them for your missing ancestors.

Why it’s a good idea to use multiple sources for census searches:

• Indexers may interpret handwritten names differently, leading family members to be indexed correctly at one provider, but not the other.

• Image quality may improve from another provider

• Some census years may be completely indexed at one provider and not at another

Heaven knows I’ve found more Scottish census information indexed clearly on FreeCen than I often do trying to read and understand abbreviations on my own.

FamilySearch, FreeCenUK, FindMyPast, Ancestry, MyHeritage, Heritage Quest: there is certainly no shortage of providers these days.

And one more tip: always always look at the original record. Don’t rely just on the abstract information.

Searching multiple sources for census searches may lead to elusive family members. Has this worked for you?

For most posts on census searches and records, click here.