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Can't Find an Ancestor in the Census Record? Try These 5 Alternative Instead
- Devon Noel Lee
- May 5
- 4 min read
Census records are a goldmine for genealogy research, but what happens when your ancestor is missing? Don't worry—I've got you covered! Plenty of other records can help fill in those gaps and even give you details you'd never find in a census.
Let's dive into five of my favorite alternatives to census records.
1. NON-POPULATION US CENSUS RECORDS
I'll be honest—I overlooked these records for far too long! But once I discovered them, I realized just how much they can tell us beyond the standard population schedules.
For example, I found my German ancestors in the Franklin County, Ohio Agricultural Schedule. It was incredible to see details about their farm—how much land they owned, their crops, and even the value of their livestock. It gave me a whole new perspective on their daily lives. But it was fun for comparison purposes to see compared to others in the area, where my ancestors were prosperous, about average, or poor.
Another powerful use for these schedules? Confirming an ancestor's death! If they passed away the year before a census, they may appear in the Mortality Schedule. That's a hidden gem right there!
And let's not forget the 1890 Veteran's Schedule, which is, in one sense, a population schedule, but it's a specific population segment. And, if you're not fortunate enough to have your ancestors among the over 6,000 names that survived the destruction of the 1890 census, then you'll want to look at this census. The number of clues in these files is amazing. You may discover clues about your ancestor's death if the widow is listed instead of the veteran. You may find the ancestor living in a Soldier's Home, and so much more!
Some of the most useful Non-Population Census Schedules include:
Agricultural Schedule (1850–1880)
Manufacturing/Industrial Schedule (1820, 1850–1880)
Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Schedule (1880)
Mortality Schedule (1850–1880)
Slave Schedule (1850–1860)
Indian Schedules (1880, 1900, 1910)
Business Schedules (1935)
2. CITY DIRECTORIES
If I had to pick a favorite record set (besides photos), it would be city directories! These are an absolute must if your ancestors lived in an urban area. If your ancestors lived in a rural area, look for county directories or rural route books as substitutes.
City directories may track your ancestors yearly, while census records collect information every ten years. You can see where they lived, how often they moved, and their occupation. If an ancestor disappears, a directory might list their spouse as a widow—hinting at when they passed away. But be careful! Some women preferred the title "widow" over "divorced" and may have conveniently 'killed off' their ex-husbands!
In my research, I once used city directories to break down a brick wall. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out the videos I've linked in the description box!
3. TAX RECORDS
Tax records aren't always easy to access but can be a genealogy wellspring when available. Government agencies needed to know the assessed values of property (for property tax locations) or the taxable status of citizens (in poll tax locations). Additionally, assessors needed to know who had paid their obligations or had become delinquent. Thus, tax assessments help us place our ancestors in a specific place and time.
In certain areas, officials conducted tax assessments annually, allowing you to trace your ancestors more frequently than census records permit.
One of my favorite discoveries came from Genesee County, Michigan, tax records. Through these records, I confirmed Chester Ward's father, one of my maternal great-great-grandfathers! The records showed who owned land, what they paid, and even who was delinquent on their taxes.
Want to dig deeper? I have two videos on tax records that might help: "An Overview of Genealogy Research in U.S. Tax Records" and "Using Tax Records to Find Your Ancestors – Genealogy Methodology."
4. VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS
For ancestors eligible to vote, voter registration lists can be an excellent substitute for census records. Some even provide a wealth of extra details!
My friend Lisa Lisson introduced me to the Chicago Voter Registration Records on Ancestry.com. Many voter lists I've found include only a name and residence, but this one was a goldmine. It included:
Name
Residence
Nativity (where they were born!)
How long they'd lived in the precinct, county, and state
Naturalization details (including date and court!)
Whether they actually voted
Pro tip: Always check the voting laws for the time and place you're researching. You might be surprised to find that women could vote in some areas much earlier than expected!
Another pro tip: check out The Ancestor Hunt's voter registration resources.
5. NEWSPAPERS
Ah, newspapers—the unpredictable treasure troves of genealogy and my second favorite genealogy record set! If you haven't checked them out yet, you're missing out.
Newspapers can reveal many stories about your ancestors—some fascinating, some scandalous, and some downright shocking. I've found everything from a police officer ancestor getting stabbed to a socialite relative making waves in high society. And obituaries? Those can tell you not only where your ancestor lived but also the names and locations of their surviving relatives.
Never underestimate the power of newspapers to put flesh on the bones of your research. If you're unsure where to start, I have plenty of articles on my blog about digging into historical newspapers!
WHAT CENSUS ALTERNATIVES ARE YOU EXPLORING?
So there you have it—five fantastic alternatives to census records! If you've hit a dead end in your research, try these sources.
Have you used any of these census alternatives? Let me know in the comments! If you find this helpful, don't forget to like and subscribe for more genealogy tips. Happy researching!
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