What do you do with census returns?

[kerryb]

I was wondering what people do with census returns after they have downloaded them.

I keep downloading them to find out family members and where ancestors were born and lived etc but then they just get stored in files under the ancestor surname.

However recently I have had reason to go back to a couple and found I have missed things like a 4 x gr grandfather married again and in another a child has popped up that I had not noticed before.

So does anyone keep records other than the download of census returns?  Do you do anything else with the information, like write it down or put it in a database for instance?

Kerry

[Necromancer]

It all goes into my FTM and periodically migrates up to Tribal Pages.

See no point in keeping all images on the PC - they are safe with Ancestry or whomever !

I've tided a few up with cropping and enhancing and framing for pressies tho ...

[MaryA]

I find that using a computer programme does help in this way - I use Family Historian - and can enter the details for each census again each person listed.  If I find an unknown grandchild I can add the person to the tree so that the information is listed again him/her and can also add this person to a Named List and so flagged up to remind me to follow up on other details about them.

Mary

[kerryb]

Hmm

Perhaps I need to update my family tree software, it doesn't allow me to enter census details anywhere.  I presume both of you are talking about software with a specific census bit??

Kerry

[Crinoline]

Hi Kerry,

I printed all of mine off...& they are all in a box-file somewhere upstairs!!!

I keep meaning to organize them though...

Romilly.

[trish251]

Hi Kerry

I keep the images on my computer - one day I will stop subscribing to web sites so like to have my own copy. I also transcribe them (with reference) - I simply put the full transcription into the notes section of my Family Tree program - against the head of the household. Sometimes I will duplicate it against others in the family - depending on how important they are to me.

I seem to write lots of small stories about different branches of my families and the transcription is usually part of these as well.

No doubt one day, someone will delete all my files - presumably by then it will not be of concern to me.

Trish

[kerryb]

I agree Trish, it is all well and good leaving the census returns on Ancestry or wherever but like you what I cancel my subscription.  At least because I have downloaded them all, I have them until someone deletes them off my computer and chucks away all my CDs.

My problem is just knowing what to do with the information on them so that I don't miss things.  I shall have to relook at my family tree software to see if I could put it in somehow.

Kerry 

[Necromancer]

Hi Kerry ..

it is all well and good leaving the census returns on Ancestry or wherever but like you what I cancel my subscription. 

Hey - do whats right for you !

My personal view is that the bulk of my family records in the form of census returns, albeit original and interesting - arent critical to my Tree once analysed and transcribed.

[downside]

Perhaps I need to update my family tree software, it doesn't allow me to enter census details anywhere

I put them in the notes section.

I also put them in an Excel form that I have created with column headers.

Because my ancestors lived in a tiny hamlet, I include all the individuals in that hamlet not just my ancestors in my Excel database.

downside