Author Archives: Alice Hoyt Veen

Federal Census Research: 1880

Posted on April 3, 2012 by

Census enumerations took a huge step forward in 1880. No less than five schedules were compiled. Not only was the population counted, but special schedules for Agriculture, Manufactures, Social Statistics, and Mortality were completed. There were five schedules, seven supplemental … Continue reading →

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Iowa Calendar: April 2012

Posted on March 28, 2012 by

Spring is in the air! Get out and enjoy Iowa’s changing landscape. Here are a few good opportunities for you this month: Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21, & 28: Hired Help Tour: Working on a Country Estate.  9:30 a.m. – … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Research: 1900

Posted on March 27, 2012 by

1900 is a “goodie” year for census research, because several very useful questions were asked for the first time. When combined with the 1910 schedule, you get a good picture of your ancestor’s family: Every individual was asked to state … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Research: 1940– Are You Ready?

Posted on March 22, 2012 by

If you visit the National Archives 1940 census website, http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/,  you will see a countdown clock for the 2 April release of the 1940 Federal Census. Are you excited? Who isn’t? But are you ready???? That’s another matter entirely. Researchers … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Research: 1910

Posted on March 21, 2012 by

This is the census that may give you problems—the microfilming process produced many faint to illegible images. Unfortunately, the original schedules were destroyed after filming, so we are left to deal with what’s available. New digital techniques have improved many … Continue reading →

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Tracing Irish Roots

Posted on March 14, 2012 by

Tracing Your Irish Family History, by Anthony Adolph. Published by Firefly Books (U.S.) Inc.; P.O. Box 1338; Ellicott Station; Buffalo, NY; 2009. 224 pp. Preface, index, photographs. Paperback. $29.95. I don’t get involved with a lot of European research, but … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Research: 1920

Posted on March 14, 2012 by

Until 1920, the decennial federal census was usually conducted in the spring or early summer. The “as of” date for 1920, however, was shifted to 1 January 1920, in hopes of better accommodating agricultural activities. Be sure to check the … Continue reading →

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Hooray! State Historical Society of Iowa Has Expanded Hours!

Posted on March 9, 2012 by

I’m happy to share the news that the State Historical Society of Iowa and State Archives, located at 600 East Locust, Des Moines, have expanded their hours to better serve researchers and patrons.

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What’s a Perch???

Posted on March 9, 2012 by

Here in Iowa, most land tracts were surveyed using the modern “rectangular survey system”—square townships divided into square sections, with tracts identified by township, range, and section numbers. It’s a neat and tidy system that requires only a basic understanding … Continue reading →

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Iowa Calendar: March 2012

Posted on February 27, 2012 by

March is packed with wonderful learning opportunities for Iowa genealogists and historians. Here are just a few to chose from: Thursday, March 8: A Library is a Library–Unless It’s a SPECIAL Library.   1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Iowa Genealogical Society … Continue reading →

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