We have received a number of questions about where to get the
census record, and how to go about transcribing or proofreading it.
The census record is available to you in several forms, listed in
order of preference below.
- On rolls of microfilm
- On CD's for electronic images on your computer, copied from
the microfilm
- On books of photocopy images copied from the microfilm
- On books published of previous transcriptions
Please note the following: For the most part only the first three
options given above are acceptable for use as a transcribing or
proofreading source, but you can refer to previously published
transcriptions as a "triple-check" if you wish, in addition to our two
levels of transcription using the preferred sources. Options 2 & 3
above may sound great, but unfortunately the quality of the copy is
often very disappointing, and reference must still be made to the
microfilm at times to decipher entries. In addition, CD's have not
yet been produced (despite sales claims) for large areas of the
country, particularly in the West.
Microfilm is the preferred and the usual source of census
records for transcription in this project. Project rules since 1997
have required the use of microfilm for either the first or the second
(i.e. proofreading) transcription, with it strongly recommended that
ALL proofreading be done from microfilm. Since using microfilm is
normally the least expensive method of doing our work as well as
the most accurate, you can see why it is usually employed.
Microfilm reading equipment is available for public use free of
charge at all Family History Centers and most medium size and
larger public libraries. All branches of the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA) have numerous free public
microfilm readers. All college and university libraries have
microfilm reading equipment, most are open free to the public.
State Archives and State Libraries have film facilities open free to
the public. Many private libraries and historical or genealogical
societies also have this available. Nearly every location with film
reading equipment also has facilities to photocopy from microfilm.
The census films themselves can be found already on the shelf
at NARA, State Libraries and Archives, large Family History Centers
and large public and private libraries. All of the rest with microfilm
reading equipment can quickly and easily order the film in at no
charge or for the cost of postage, about three and a half dollars
maximum.
The usual way of transcribing from microfilm is to write entries
out on paper while viewing the film, then enter into the computer
later at home. A variation on this is to photocopy from the microfilm
at the library, then enter at home, but you must take special care to
double check hard to read entries. Some people bring their laptop
to the library and enter the data as they view the film, but this does
not really work as well as it sounds.
Free & Inexpensive Sources
Commercial Sources
National Archives
