Census records aren’t always correct, and it’s common to find conflicting information, especially in older records. Inconsistencies often occur due to enumerator errors, language barriers, and cultural factors. However, conflicting information in census records can also serve as context clues as your relative might have deliberately provided misinformation.
At MyHeritage, you can access millions of census records from many countries to identify potential ancestors. In this article, we’re decoding the reasons why census records can have conflicting information and how you can resolve these problems when adding an ancestor to your family tree.
Key takeaways about conflicting information in census records
- Conflicting census information is common and shouldn’t cause immediate concern. It’s often the result of human error or mistakes made during the transcribing process.
- Sometimes, conflicting information can present clues about your relatives and may reflect a change in their personal circumstances, rather than being an immediate error.
- It’s important to compare multiple census records to create an accurate picture of your relative’s life.
- Consider context when questioning if census information, as it may have been incorrectly documented due to a language barrier or linguistic challenges.
- Always compare the information you get from census records with other vital records, such as birth certificates, immigration documents, and military records, to resolve conflicts.
Why it’s common to find conflicting census information
Most MyHeritage members start building their family tree by using census records. It’s important to know that census records aren’t guaranteed to be correct, and you should always aim to review and confirm information with other vital records and documents.
There are 6 common reasons for conflicting and incorrect information in census records:
- The enumerator may make a mistake when documenting the information provided to them. Linguistic challenges and uncommon names can lead to spelling variations and errors.
- Census information isn’t always self-reported and may be given by a family member or neighbor. They may provide incorrect or incomplete information, especially for ages and occupations.
- Literacy and language barriers between the informant and enumerator might result in names and places being misspelled.
- Some data that appears to be conflicting may be correct, especially in scenarios where an individual might have changed jobs or moved to a new area.
- Some conflicting information is the result of a deliberate choice. Someone might have provided a different age to avoid military service or social stigma connected to a relationship or their occupation.
- Cultural factors can also result in conflicting information in census records, including different calendars in some cultures and naming customs.
How to resolve conflicting census data in your family tree
When you go back a few generations in your family tree, you’re almost guaranteed to run into problems and inconsistencies in census data. Don’t panic! Census mistakes can happen for plenty of reasons, and MyHeritage gives you access to a variety of vital records to make it easy to cross-reference this information to get to the truth.
For example, if one census states an ancestor was 42 but they’re listed as 43 in the next census ten years later, you can use their birth certificate to confirm their actual age.
Here are five steps you can take to resolve conflicting census data in your family tree:
Step 1: Compare census records for your ancestor
Depending on the era you’re researching, you should have access to multiple census records for most relatives. Compare the information from across these documents and make a note of the differences and similarities.
You may be able to explain certain inconsistencies, such as age variants being the result of rounding up, depending on what month the census was completed.
Step 2: Identify who was likely to be the informant
Some census records will document the name of the individual who provided the information, such as the head of the household or a neighbor.
Information will be more reliable when it comes from someone closely related to your ancestor, while a neighbor is more likely to make an easy spelling mistake or give the wrong age.
Step 3: Consider the historical context of that census
When you’re reading a census document, consider what was happening in that country and within your family during that year. Major social events, migration, and war may have resulted in your relative deliberately giving different information.
It wasn’t uncommon for immigrants to naturalize the spelling of their surname or for individuals to change their age to avoid military conscription.
Step 4: Cross-reference with other vital records
It’s always best practice to cross-reference the information you get from census documents with other reliable records. You can access documents like military records, marriage certificates, and church records as part of your MyHeritage subscription.
Step 5: Be flexible with your information
If a census record provides conflicting information, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s not connected to your relative. Some variations are easy to explain, such as approximate ages and alternate name spellings. Always consider the wider context and be flexible when judging whether information is correct.
Access millions of census records and start exploring your family tree
Conflicting information in census records can be frustrating, but it’s important to view these documents as just one part of the puzzle in piecing together the story of your family tree.
Inconsistencies are often easy to explain, and you can cross-reference information with other vital records available on MyHeritage. Sign up for a free trial today and take the first steps in researching your family tree by accessing census records.
Start building your family tree with confidence. Sign up for a free MyHeritage trial to explore census records, resolve inconsistencies, and uncover the truth about your family’s past.
FAQ about conflicting information in census records
Why is my ancestor’s age different in two censuses?
Census information was self-reported or provided by household members or neighbors. It’s not uncommon for people to round up their age or to get someone else’s age wrong.
Can I trust census records if they’re inconsistent?
Census records are important for providing vital information about your ancestors, but they’re only part of the puzzle. It’s best practice to compare the information from census records with other official documents to confirm their accuracy.
How can I tell if two conflicting records belong to the same relative?
Compare other information that is likely to be more consistent, such as their birthplace, occupation, location, or family members, to confirm if conflicting records relate to the same relative.
Were early census takers trained to check the information they recorded?
Early census takers did not receive formal training, which varied depending on the era and location. Not all census takers verified the information they received, and unintentional mistakes could easily happen.
Should I only add confirmed information to my family tree?
Keep a record of all information you find, even if you’re not sure of its credibility. Wait until it’s confirmed to add it to your family tree, but keeping a log can make it easy to revisit potential leads.
