Follow me through the search for my grandfather, Joseph Hinkel. First, I soundexed (see last week's article) the surname HINKEL. The code is H524.
Then, at NARA's site The Federal Population Censuses on Microfilm, I clicked on the 1920 Federal Population Census, which took me to the soundex by state.
He was living in Ohio, so I clicked "Soundex: Montana-Ohio". I scrolled down the page to the 1920 Soundex (continued), then to Ohio.
The Ohio series is microfilm publication M1581. Below are the microfilm rolls by soundex. The rolls are listed by the first soundex surname and given name (or initial) and the last soundex name on that roll. The roll I'm looking for is #186 H520 Homer-H524 Kenard. Try this for one of your ancestors.
The next thing I need to do is to access this microfilm roll. There are a number of ways to do this. First, I can visit my regional NARA. A list of regional offices is found at The National Archives and regional centers.
Or, I can rent the microfilm by becoming a member of the National Archives Rental Program, or do it through my public library if they participate in the program. This information is found at National Archives Microfilm Rental Program.
If you are in the state where your ancestor lived, your local library or genealogical society may already have these census microfilms. Even if you don't, they may have out of state census microfilm. So, be sure to check your local resources.
But, we are not finished yet. On these microfilms are the soundex index cards I mentioned in last week's article. These cards will give you the information you need to find the actual copy of your ancestor's census schedule. If you are at the NARA, you will be able to obtain a copy. If not, you will need to get Censu s - Form 82, and request a copy.
For some very important information before you go searching, read Tips on Using Census Records Effectively by Loretto D. Szucs.
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