Finding this 1880 census document for the Kelly family was not a straightforward process. The online database I use to search these records apparently had the last name entered incorrectly — but understandably given the original document — as “Kelby” instead of “Kelly”. I succeeded in tracking this down by searching for Michael’s [...]

These census documents provide information about the household in which my maternal grandmother was raised. The fist document is from the US Census in 1920. The second document is from the Iowa State Census in 1925.

April 1920 – Madison Township, Fremont, Iowa

The United States census from April 1920 shows Willis Ackley (60), his [...]

These records contain information about my great-great grandfather and his family during the early part of the 20th century in Bancroft Township, Cuming County, Nebraska. These documents include information about the year he immigrated to the US, but it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the conflicting data. Additionally, two of these [...]

I believe this census document shows my great-great grandfather Michael Kelly, living next door to his brother Patrick in November 1870. The form indicates that Michael was 22 years old, Patrick was 24 years old, and they both worked as farmers. Patrick had an estate worth $210. Patrick could not read or [...]

These records contain information about my great grandparents’ household in the early part of the 20th century, where my paternal grandfather grew up as a child. It also appears that they are living next door to my great-great grandfather at the time (but I am not directly addressing that in this particular article).

April 1910 [...]

These records contain information about my great grandparents’ household in the early part of the 20th century, and illustrate the fact that records of this sort are indeed subject to original errors (in addition to present-day interpretation errors).

April 1910 – Omaha City, Douglas, Nebraska

According to the 1910 census, William Street (31), Caroline S. (31), [...]

Deciphering the information about my great grandparents in this branch of the tree is proving to be quite the challenge. My understanding from family members is that my great grandfather’s surname was “Boese” when he immigrated from Germany. When they came to the US, they changed their name to “Base” (which is pronounced the same [...]