1910 CENSUS KEYS

1910 is the best census ever taken. It is the only census that asks how many times a person was married and the last census that asks how long a couple has been married. It also asks how many children a woman has had, both living and deceased. Unfortunately only 21 states were soundexed:

 The following guide is an aid to help you with your 1910 census research. 

I. Soundexed States

A.   Use the soundex computer to find the code for the surname of your ancestor.

B.    The 1910 soundex and mira code is different from other soundex in that it does not give a sheet and line number. The 1910 soundex gives you an E. D. and a visitation number. It looks like the example below:

Vol E. D. Visitation

XXX  XXXX XXXX

1.    The researcher always needs to record the state, county, and then the E. D. and visitation numbers.

2.    The volume number is a back up resource. If you have problems reading the county or E. D. numbers, you can still find your ancestor by locating the correct volume number. There are usually two volumes on each reel.

II.    Unsoundexed States

A.    If the ancestor stayed in one place for a long time, look for them in 1920 and 1900 on that state’s soundex.

B.    Always look at your copy of the 1900 or 1920 census in the column that shows ownership of the residence. If your ancestor was renting look in a city directory for their address.

C.    If the family owns their property in 1920 and if there is a 8 to 12 year old child who shows being born in that same state. This would indicate that the family was living in that state during the 1910 census.

D.    If your ancestor is living in a large city, note the ward that they were living in 1920. They might be in the same ward in 1910. For places like New York City’s five boroughs, look up the family in a 1910 city directory.

E.    If you know your ancestor lived in a small town and know the name of the town, you can use the 1910 SPECIAL INDEXES ON FILM to locate the correct enumeration district.

G.   If you know where your ancestors were on a prior census but cannot find them there in 1910 or 1920. look at a map of that state. If the county borders on another state or is near the border, check the other state’s soundex or mfracode, if it has one.

H.   Often a researcher will want to use a 1900 or 1920 address, that their ancestor was living at, as a search parameter for the 1910 census for unsoundexed states. Unless the people owned their home, and very few did in New York City, this logic does not work.

L    Often 1910 city directories will have a city map in the front of it that will show what city ward their ancestor was living in 1910. The researcher may have to look through that whole ward to find their family, but ft can be done.

J.     When you have found your ancestor’s E.D. number you can go to the 1910 census for that state and county, turn to the correct E.D. and locate the family by scrolling through the E.D.