How This Genealogist Used 19th Century Census Data to Solve 18th Century Mysteries

If you’ve ever felt like you’re banging your head against a brick wall trying to solve genealogical puzzles from centuries past, F. Warren Bittner’s recent webinar is the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

In this mind-bending presentation, Bittner demonstrates how to leverage 19th-century census records to unravel mysteries dating back to the 1770s.

As someone who’s spent countless hours staring at dead ends in my family tree, I can tell you – this is game-changing stuff.

Bittner kicks things off by diving deep into the goldmine that is the 1880 U.S. Census. But this isn’t your grandma’s census analysis. He shows us how to extract a treasure trove of information that goes far beyond the basic facts on the page.

We’re talking birth years, marriage dates, migration patterns, and even details about grandparents who aren’t even listed. It’s like genealogical alchemy, turning lead into gold.

The secret sauce? Asking the right questions and making logical inferences.

Bittner walks us through a step-by-step process of analyzing each piece of information and considering what it implies about earlier events and relationships.

He emphasizes the importance of documenting your reasoning every step of the way – a crucial habit that separates the pros from the amateurs.

One of the most powerful techniques Bittner introduces is creating detailed family chronologies. By organizing all the inferred information by date and place, patterns emerge that can point you in new research directions.

He also demonstrates how to use “timeline questions” to fill in gaps and generate hypotheses about events that aren’t directly recorded.

But Bittner doesn’t just leave us with theory. He puts these techniques into action with a fascinating case study involving the family of William Black, born around 1770.

Using census records from the 1850s through 1880s for William’s children, Bittner piece by piece reconstructs a family migration pattern that spans Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

The kicker?

This analysis completely upends the previously accepted notion that William Black was from North Carolina. Multiple census records for his children indicate Maryland origins instead.

It’s a masterclass in how rigorous, creative research can overturn long-held family traditions.

Throughout the webinar, Bittner drops knowledge bombs that had me furiously taking notes:

1. The importance of analyzing every detail in a census record, not just the obvious facts.
2. How to make educated guesses about marriage dates and parent ages when direct evidence is lacking.
3. Techniques for inferring information about grandparents and even great-grandparents from a single census entry.
4. The critical need to document your reasoning process and cite sources for inferred information.
5. How to use census data to reconstruct migration patterns across multiple generations.

One of Bittner’s most impactful pieces of advice is to read the National Genealogical Society Quarterly regularly. He credits this publication with teaching him to think like a true genealogist, using sources creatively and reading between the lines. It’s a reminder that there’s always room to level up our research skills.

The webinar isn’t just about specific techniques, though. Bittner instills a mindset of curiosity and critical thinking. He encourages us to look at familiar sources with fresh eyes, to question our assumptions, and to pursue every lead with rigorous analysis.

What really sets this presentation apart is Bittner’s emphasis on practical application. He doesn’t just tell us what to do – he shows us, walking through real examples and demonstrating how to apply these techniques to our own research problems. It’s the difference between reading a cookbook and actually cooking alongside a master chef.

As someone who’s attended my fair share of genealogy webinars, I can confidently say this one stands out. Bittner’s expertise is evident, but it’s his ability to break down complex concepts and make them accessible that really shines. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just starting out, you’ll come away with tools you can immediately put into practice.

If you’re serious about taking your family history research to the next level, this webinar is a must-watch. It’s like getting a mini-masterclass in advanced genealogical techniques, all focused on solving those maddeningly difficult 18th-century research problems.

The good news?

You can watch the full webinar with a subscription to Legacy Family Tree Webinars.

And if you’re reading this article within 7 days of the webinar being added, you can watch for free!

Don’t let those 18th-century brick walls stand in your way any longer. With Bittner’s techniques in your toolkit, you’ll be smashing through them in no time. It’s time to level up your genealogy game and start solving those centuries-old family mysteries.