Cincinnati: Searching the Census by Address

I recently posted "Finding Smith, Jones and every other Tom, Dick and Harry in the Census" on my personal blog giving an example of using Obtaining Enumeration Districts (EDs) and Streets  for the 1900-1940 Census. I was looking for Loretta Smith in New York City with very few details other than a name and address.  The good news is that Obtaining Enumeration Districts is also available for many other large cities including Cincinnati!

In Cincinnati, we have the added advantage of the online access to most Cincinnati City Directories on the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's Virtual Library. Downloadable directories are available for most years from 1819-1934.  A name and address from a record you know pertains to your ancestor is all you need to get started. You can track family moves using the online directories to aid in determining their residence in a census year.

In the 20th Century, many records include an address should you not be able to positively identity your ancestor in directories. Death registrations, cemetery records, social security applications, obituaries and other news items, etc., are just a few of the records that might include your ancestor's residence. Many of these records are available online.

Once you have an address, use  Obtaining Enumeration Districts to quickly locate your ancestor in the census. Clicking on 'View Microfilm' will take you to the enumeration district on Ancestry.com. Page forward through the enumeration district to find the street address.

While the example in my blog dealt with a common surname, the technique is also effective for finding families whose surnames were prone to misspelling in the census. There are some amazingly creative renditions of names in the census! Wally Huskonen wrote about using the tool in Getting Ready to Research in the 1940 Census. When the census is first released, it will not include a name index. But you will be able to search by street address.

Thanks again to all the people who provide access to these important historic records and research tools! This is but one of Steve Morse's One-Step Tools for locating your ancestor in records. For more see One-Step Webpages by Stephen P. Morse.

Happy Boxing Day!

Sources:
Huskonen, Wally. "Getting Ready to Research the 1940 Census." Ohio Genealogy News, Winter 2011, page 22.

Morse, Stephen P., Joel D. Weintraub and David R. Kehs.  Obtaining EDs for the 1900-1940 Census in One Step (Large Cities). http://stevemorse.org/census/ : 2006.

Stratton, Liz. "Finding Smith Jones and Every Other Tom, Dick and Harry in the Census." Attics and Old Lace. http://atticsandoldlace.blogspot.com/2011/12/tuesdays-tip-finding-smith-jones-and.html : 20 December 2011.

Webinars and the Genealogical Community

According to Wikipedia, "The term webinar is short for Web-based Seminar, a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web."  Webinars can be live and interactive, allowing the participants to actively interact with the speaker, or one-way.  A webinar that is not presented in real-time is sometimes referred to as a "webcast."  Watching a webcast is similar to watching a prerecorded presentation.

Approximately one-half of the members of the Hamilton County Genealogical Society are not local.  They are interested in the area because they, or their ancestors, lived in Hamilton County at one time.  It is often not practical for them to attend meetings or take advantage of the excellent speakers that are available to members who live locally. Offering webinars or webcasts might be a way to bring our local speakers to you regardless of where you are. If you think you would take advantage of the webinars, please add a comment at the end of this post.

More and more societies are working on ways to address the needs of members who are not able to attend Chapter functions.  One of the ways that organizations are meeting this need is by making webinars/webcasts available to members. Mary Ann Faloon, Chair of our Irish Interest Group, forwarded me a Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree 2012 Extension Series flyer to me in the hope that we would make you aware of the availability of these free webinars. Complete directions on how to register and participate are included in the flyer.

There are a great many other webinars available on a vast array of topics. For a Google Calendar of up-coming webinars: View GeneaWebinars calendar. A link to this calendar has been added to our blog sidebar.

As 2011 comes to a close, why not make a resolution to get out of your comfort zone and try something new in 2012?  I'm going to put this at the top of my New Year's Genealogical Resolutions.





Researching Civil War Veterans



Amy Johnson Crow, CG

On Saturday, November 19th, the Hamilton County Genealogical Society and the PLCH co-sponsored a talk with Amy Johnson Crow.  Her talk was of special interest to those whose ancestors include veterans of the Civil War. 

Probably the best source of genealogical and biographical information for Union Civil War Veterans is the Pension Record.  In order to qualify for a pension, applicants were often required to document their eligibility by providing proof of marriage, birth records for children and possible disability.  A General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, is available on Ancestry.com.    It is arranged alphabetically.  A second index, arranged by regiment, then company, the alphabetically is available on Fold3.com and in a beta version at FamilySearch.org.  It is called the Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served between  1861 and 1900- [1917]. 

Pensions for Confederate veterans were issued by former Confederate states.  Each state had its own eligibility requirements.  Veterans applied for a pension from the state in which he resided, not the state from which he served.  If a Confederate veteran was unfortunate enough to move to a Union state following the war, he was not eligible for any pension.

Civil War veterans were issued a military discharge record that they were to record in their county of residence.  If the record exists it is often located in the County Recorder's Office. This record includes the place of birth, age, physical description and the place of discharge.

It is well-known that the majority of the 1890 U.S. Census (Population Schedule) was destroyed.  However, there was an 1890 Special Schedule of Union Veterans and Widows.  About half of this record survived Including the second half of the Kentucky record through Wyoming. An index and images for this record can be found on Ancestry.com.  FamilySearch.org also has browsable images.

Amy also suggested that researches search out the records of Veterans Organizations such as the (GAR),  The Grand Army of the Republic was an organization for Union veterans.  Individual Regiments also held reunions.  Booklets filled with memories, biographies, lists of unit members and lists of deaths since the last reunion were often published and distributed at these reunions.

Both the federal government and individual states created homes for disabled soldiers.  Some of these records can be found on Ancestry.com.  Most residents of these homes were required to have been honorably discharged and either disabled or indigent. 

Finally, some states and local governments provided benefits, although these records vary greatly.  In the 1930s, the WPA began a Graves Registration project.  Their purpose was to try to document the burial records of all veterans within a given state.  Should the records exist, they are most likely to be found at the County Recorder Office, County Auditor of the local office of veteran's affairs.

Lesson learned:  There is more out there than the Pension Record available through the National Archives.  I think all who attended would agree that Amy Johnson Crow opened our eyes to other possible resources.

Source:
Crow, Amy Johnson, CG. "After Mustering Out: Researching Civil War Veterans." Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and the Hamilton County Genealogical Society. Cincinnati. 19 November 2011.

FHL Film Online Ordering Now Available in Cincinnati

It is now possible to order Family History Library (FHL) microfilm online at FamilySearch Online Film Ordering.  See It's Not All Online: Ordering Family History Library Microfilm for the benefits of using the Family History Library's extensive collection of microfilms.

To order film, you will first need to set up an account with FamilySearch if you do not have one already.  This is necessary to prevent spammers from inappropriately accessing the website.  Once you have an account, select the Family History Center where you want to view the film at My Family History Center.

Ordering microfilms is easy:

1. Identify the microfilm that you would like to order using the FamilySearch Catalog.  Proceed to FamilySearch Online Film Ordering and enter the loan type and film number and click 'search'.  Short-term loans must be returned within 90 days while long-term loans are indefinite. 
2. The film will appear in the window with the charges shown and a link to 'Add to Cart.'
3. Click the 'Proceed to Checkout' button when you have finished entering in microfilms you would like to  order.  You will be taken through a series of additional screens to complete your order including payment.  Payment can be made with a Visa/Mastercard credit card, debit card or prepaid card.  Payment can also be made using PayPal. ($7.50 for short-term; $18.75 for long-term; and $4.75 for microfiche)
4. You will receive a confirming email letting you know if the film is available and another email when the film has been received by your local Family History Center (FHC).
5. One week before your film is due, you will receive another email from the FHL reminding you that your film is due.  If desired, you can renew the film at that time or have the film returned by the FHC.  It is best to let your local FHC know when you are finished with a film so that they can return it.

Note that even though a film is on long-term loan it may be returned if the local FHC determines that the film is no longer being used, the film becomes restricted or the film already exists at the center.

It is always a good idea to confirm the film is not already available online at the FHL or at your local FHC.  Online films are identified in the catalog.  You will need to check with your local FHC to determine whether they already have a film.

Posted by Liz Stratton; Updated 27 November 2012.

November Tracer Now Online

The November Tracer is now available online in the members section of the website.  There are many great articles to choose from as well as chapter news.  Articles in the current edition:

Successful Bridgets:  Irish Women in Cincinnati's Third Ward in 1860
Chapter Projects and News:  Blog, Wiki, Facebook, Member Pages, NGS Conference
Hamilton County Recorder's Office - Far More than Deeds
Hamilton County Records Online:  Vital Records, Cemeteries, Maps
Passenger Lists
Re-dedication of Mohawk World War II Honor Roll Memorial
German Birth and Marriage Database
Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church of College Hill
Methodist Episcopal Church, Catherine Street Cemetery, 1826-1868
Hamilton County Probate Accounts - Partial Abstract of Account Volume 3, 1840-1857, Part II
German General Protestant Orphan Home Index
Public Library Acquisitions
Book Review:  To Crown Myself with Honor: The Wartime Letters of Captain Asbury Gatch
J. Richard Abell Genealogical Trust Fund Donors

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR AND LIBRARY ORIENTATION AT THE CINCINNATI HISTORICAL SOCIETY LIBRARY

 

If you are researching Hamilton County or Cincinnati ancestors, you have undoubtedly paid a visit to the Cincinnati Historical Society’s Library, located in the Museum Center at Union Terminal.  Our February program will be an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour and Library orientation led by Librarian, M'lissa Kesterman. 

On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, we will meet at the Library, located in the lower level of the Museum Center, at 10:00 am.  Ms. Kesterman will begin the program with an overview of the library’s on-line catalog and then take us back to the stacks for a look at the photo, map, and other special collections housed at the Library.  As the Library’s entire collection is not available on-line, this should give researchers a better idea of the variety and scope of the specialized collections available.  The program will end in the Hauck Research Room, where the majority of genealogical holdings are available on the shelves, and the extensive newspaper collection is available for microfilm viewing.

The program will end at 12:00 noon, at which time the library is open to the public.  You are encouraged to stay and make use of the collections you have just discovered!  You may bring your own lunch, or food is available in the rotunda of the Museum Center, along with the dining area.

This private tour is limited to 18 people.  To make your reservations or for more information, contact Linda Dietrich, Program Chairperson.

HCOGS Welcomes New Members to Lineage Groups

First Families Honorees

The HCOGS held its annual luncheon to recognize new inductees into the lineage groups sponsored by the Chapter. The luncheon was held at the Clovernook Country Club. The Chapter now sponsors three lineage groups:  First Families, Settlers and Builders and Century Families.

The Chapter's first lineage group, First Families of Hamilton County, was started in 1988 and has established 419 members with over 1000 pioneer ancestors who were proven to be residents of Hamilton County before December 31st, 1820. Nine new members were able to prove 38 direct ancestors who lived in Hamilton County during this time period.

Settlers and Builders Inductees

In 2007 the Chapter established Settlers and Builders of Hamilton County honoring ancestors who lived in the county between January 1st 1821 and December 31st 1860.  They now claim 53 members who have proven 209 Settlers and Builders ancestors.  Four new members were inducted as well as two members who submitted additional ancestors through a supplemental application.

Charter Members of the Century Families Lineage Group

This year a third lineage group was established by the Chapter called Century Families.  This group honors ancestors who resided in Hamilton County 100 years before today's date or January 1, 1861.   Twenty-two charter members honoring 135 Hamilton County ancestors were inducted.

Our guest speaker for the luncheon was Michael Morgan who entertained us with stories of Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.  It was known for its large population of German immigrants, beer gardens, saloons and breweries.  You can read more about his program by checking this previous post that discusses "When Beer Was King."

It's not too early to start thinking about next year's luncheon.  Download an application at the Chapter's website. There are several Chapter members who would be happy to share advice on how to complete the application.  Perhaps next year we will be able to recognize even more Hamilton County ancestors who had a part in creating such a great community.

You can view individual pictures of Century Families inductees by clicking on this link. 

Photo Credits:  John Tholking