RECORDING CENSUS RETURNS

ncharnock · Post by **ncharnock** » 24 Apr 2012 21:12

Can census returns be recorded in full, in the same or similar format to the original returns, either using Family Historian or Ancestral Sources? If not, are there any programs that do this job?

ID:6183

Post by **NickWalker** » 24 Apr 2012 21:51

Up to a point. Family Historian and Ancestral Sources will allow you to transcribe all the text of the census entry - Ancestral Sources makes this easier and quicker to achieve. You only have plain text to do this so no bold, no table formats, etc.

However, in my opinion, the transcription of the census just needs to include the text - an image of the census can be attached to the source and this shows what it really looks like.

In Ancestral Sources, select a census country and year and a grid with columns appears (you can edit the templates for these if need be). Add the details. Ancestral Sources will create census events, occupations, births, etc. for the individuals as required. In addition it will generate a text version of the grid which can be saved to the source text. This auto-generated transcription will probably need editing to exactly match the original census entry. For example someone's occupation may be 'Ag Lab'. You may also choose to edit it to include the location details, house details, etc.

Give Ancestral Sources a try with a copy of your project. Read the help pages, take a look at the tutorials in the Knowledge Base, ask questions on here. The hundreds of people who use it can't all be wrong! And it's free!

SunnyLady · Post by **SunnyLady** » 25 Apr 2012 15:43

If you want to record full census information(and other documents too) have a look at 'Custodian' [www.custodian3.co.uk - also available elsewhere]. I use it for keeping track of info from all sorts of sources (using its dedicated datasets) and cross reference to FH for those who are directly relevant to my lot. Useful for those things one finds that one does not want to lose sight of but not proven relevant (additional people, not obviously family/connected on certs, notices etc, and servants, employers/employees on census for example).

I first used it last year for a genealogy course project to transcribe a village in 1851 (and saw connections I might not have done) and am currently using it to get to grips with census info 1841-1911 for a local road which changes its own name, as well as re-numbering or/and re-naming of houses - and of course families and their servants moving in and out... It exports to Excel (for additional sorts etc) and other formats and (though I've not used this facility) does do limited family trees. It has dedicated screens (tho I prefer using the tables) - and whilst not as transparent in use as FH, can do sql stuff though that beyond me at the moment!

There may well be others but for me its doing the job I need!

This is of course all done totally separately from FH so it does mean double entry - but (now that I am almost, thank goodness, back in FH fold again, having been required to use another program for my course!) will be a dedicated user of ancestral sources (having used its predecessor) for getting info directly into FH.

makfai · Post by **makfai** » 27 Apr 2012 10:35

Sunny Lady: That was a useful pointer to a piece of software I had not heard of but it may be too daunting a task for me to now try to input all my data!

As this could be of interest to others, can I suggest that you also put this info in the General Section under: Topic: What other software do you use for Family History?
http://www.fhug.org.uk/cgi-bin/index.cg ... 8&start=45

Post by **tatewise** » 27 Apr 2012 12:50

makfai,

If you do a Search (under Main Menu) for Custodian you will find it is already mentioned in the thread you suggested, and in several other threads too.

Perhaps a Knowledge Base topic under Family History Research is needed for Useful Research Programs similar to the Useful Research Web Sites.

makfai · Post by **makfai** » 27 Apr 2012 15:34

I did the search as you suggested and found it interesting.

Of course, if (like me)one has never heard of Custodian one would not put that name into the search engine so your suggestion to have a dedicated location for pointers to potentially useful software may be a good one.

I know that when I look back to when I started I wished I had known from the start about NW's Gedcom! A source for such tips in the KB may be useful.

Post by **tatewise** » 27 Apr 2012 23:59

I have made a start at Useful Research Software.
It is far from complete and needs a lot more explanation of what each program does.
Anyone is welcome to add any details.

BillH · Post by **BillH** » 28 Apr 2012 00:36

Mike,

Great idea.

I was wondering if you wanted to start a new thread with the name Useful Research Software in one of the other forums so it is easy for people to find. I'm not sure everyone looks in this forum.

I added Family Bee which I use on my Android phone. I also added Ancestral Sources. I'm sure there are more.

Bill

Family Historian User Group