Hey, that's MY family!

In the two research classes I'm taking right now, both professors have emphasized the importance of doing a good census search when doing research. Here are just a couple of things I've learned:

1. Censuses can give you a good outline for the basic research on your family. The information isn't always accurate (let's face it--memory is fallible, and census takers were sometimes inattentive or unaware that they were recording things incorrectly), but at least you get a good outline for your research and know the general dates and places (that's the hope, anyway).
2. Don't just search for your family. If you find your family, scan a few pages before and after your family's entry. Families often lived near each other, but it may have been a street or two apart. That's information you don't want to pass up.

Here's what's happened for me: I've been conducting a census search for John H. Bennett's family, and I've realized both of these things. In the 1910 U.S. Population Schedule for Missouri, I found that John listed his parents' birthplaces as "unknown" and "Ohio," but all the information I've found on John up to this point hasn't indicated Ohio at all, and John has mentioned a birthplace for his father before.

In the 1900 US Population Schedule for Missouri, I found John H. Bennett's family with a William J. Bennett living next door--John's son! John's other neighbor was a Sam Collins. William married Fannie Belle Collins, so at this point I believe that Sam is her brother. Between these three families, I found some exciting information.

So moral of the story--check carefully when doing census searches. You may find some invaluable information if you take the time to look for it.