What do you do with census returns?

[Bill749]

That's one advantage of working the "old-fashioned" way from the films - you scan every page looking for family names and often pick up things that you would otherwise miss.  I extract every instance of my main family names from all sources, then try to fit them together with their parents by comparing information.

I have ended up with a number of, sometimes quite substantial, family trees that don't immediately fit with mine, but I keep having another look to see if new information can provide that vital link.

Regards, Bill

[kerryb]

Bill

I've got some of those too, census returns for families in vicinity with same name that as yet don't fit but I'm sure they will.  I need to sort those too because maybe by now they will fit!!!!!!

Kerry

[Tuscany]

Whilst I take the point about conserving trees, at least we are not printing out piles of useless advertising which is binned without even being read.

We are creating a record to pass on to our interested (we hope) decendants.  (Of course they may be miffed that we have left them nothing to do). 

When our computer records are  unusable,  because someone has omitted to update them,  then down comes the dusty old suitcase and hey presto it's all there.  Just think of the fun they'll having trying to decipher our handwritten notes.

At least that's my excuse for printing everything.

[kerryb]

I was reading an article recently in a FH magazine about diaries and the fact that we use abbreviations that people can't understand.  Well my FH notes are the same, will they ever be understandable for anyone else!!!

Kerry

[yn9man]

Bill749 -

I find looking at film a bit more difficult. I can only look at film for a short period of time before my eyes go / get blurry. I can look at hard copies it seems like forever.

kerryb -

I think it will probably depend on the abbreviations you use. Many abbreviations can be  figured out. If not "anyone else" will have the same "mysteries" to solve that we are attempting to solve today.

yn9man

[Bill749]

I used to be able to do it for hours - now I find myself nodding off after an hour or so!    I do end up with sore eyes after an afternoon of staring at the screen!    Must be getting old!!

Bill

[yn9man]

Bill

Can't believe that you are getting old. 

The problem is with the technology in the machines ... not conducive to viewing.

yn9man

[trish251]

I find when I am at the library checking newspapers - if I have the magnification on the film large enough to read it - the adjustments to move the page (at my size it doesn't fit on the screen) often don't work well enough to see the top/bottom and sides of the pages.

When I can view the whole page onscreen  I can't read it! I now take a magnifying glass with me

My eyes are definitely older than the rest of me - my mother must have read all the time she was pregnant        
Trish

[yn9man]

Trish -

Great line about your Mother.     

Next week on my research trip / expedition I will be spending several hours viewing documents. Thanks for reminding me to pack my magnifying glass.

yn9man