Advice please re. Boston, Mass. census

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:33 pm

Hi all
I'm thinking of trying to follow up a family I know were in Boston, certainly after 1901 and definately by 1920. Forgive my ignorance on matters US, but is it possible to look up census data for this area after 1901, such as the 1920 & 1930 census, and where should I look? Ancestry? Or is there anywhere else?

Best wishes
Lesley

Post by **Ina** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:43 pm

Lesley,

I believe the 1920 and 1930 US census are on Ancestry.

Ina

Post by **paddyscar** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:47 pm

Hi Lesley:

I've had a look at the U.S. Census Bureau site http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/faq.html The good news is it is available, but the bad new is, it's not online.

Copies of decennial census forms from 1790 through 1930 are available, usually on microfilm, for research at the United States National Archives in Washington, DC (http://www.nara.gov/), at Archives regional centers, and at select depository libraries throughout the United States, and the Library of Congress. Ask the reference librarian in your local library about its own holdings and about borrowing film through the National Archives' census microfilm rental program (301-604-3699). The records can also be borrowed from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) (Mormon) Library in Salt Lake City through any LDS Family History Center. (NOTE: microfilm is analog data, NOT digital ... it is copies of the original handwritten records). The kind of data requested by genealogists about individuals is not currently available on the Internet.

Frances

Post by **SarahND** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:59 pm

Hi Lesley,
I know of no other way to access the 1920 and 1930 censuses remotely than Ancestry.com. A number of research libraries and archives have them on microfilm, as does the LDS library in Salt Lake City. It would probably be possible to order the film from a Family History Center, if you knew which reel you wanted (not obvious for a big city!)... But it would be a bit tedious, unless you just wanted to have a leisurely look at the neighbourhood!

All the best,
Sarah

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:01 pm

Hi Frances
I'm looking at Ancestry, and they seem to suggest that images are available for 1920 & 1930, but I've no paid up yet, so don't know if that is the case....I'm still searching for likely contenders before I stump up!

best wishes
Lesley

Post by **Ina** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:43 pm

Hi Lesley,

The 1930 images are available on Ancestry. You can take out a 14 day trial subscription and cancel it after you find what you want.

Ina

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:49 pm

Hi Ina
Yes, I've taken out short subs before, but I usually check that what I'm looking for is there first. They also do a really short pay-per-view type sub which is what I usually use, as it is not often I need stuff on Ancestry. "12 record views for 14 days £6.95"
http://www.ancestry.co.uk/subscribe/sig ... &TargetId=

Best wishes
Lesley

Post by **marilyn morning** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:45 pm

Hi Lesley,

Who are you looking for in Boston?

If your family had a BMD up until 1910 in Massachusetts, you could find it here. http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ARC/arcsrch/ ... lcome.html
Click on the link and scroll to the bottom page and hit search.

Note the pertinent info, including page & vol and post it here.

I'll be passing through Boston in about six weeks and could grab copies of any you may find.

Regards
Marilyn

Bob C · Post by **Bob C** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:54 pm

LesleyB wrote:They also do a really short pay-per-view type sub which is what I usually use, as it is not often I need stuff on Ancestry. "12 record views for 14 days £6.95"

Lesley

By going to www.ancestry.com you can sign up for a 14 day "Free Trial". Of course you have to give a credit card number and remember to cancel before the time is up.

Since you have subscribed to the UK site before you might have to change some of your details so they are not the ones you used before.

Bob

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:47 pm

Hi Marilyn

Who are you looking for in Boston?
If your family had a BMD up until 1910 in Massachusetts

Thanks for the offer. They are relatively recent folk, not born in US though, but emigrated to there - I had a few of the family I'd found on ships manifests and was interested to know how things panned out at the "other end".

Thanks to everyone for suggestions, help and advice. Some progress has been made and bits of jigsaws are falling into place. Along with of course, at least half a dozen new questions.....

Best wishes
Lesley