This how to video was created as part of a collaboration between HistoryForge/The History Center in Tompkins County and Historic Ithaca.
This document shows you how to explore your community’s history on HistoryForge which includes:
-screenshots to walk you through how to use the census databases and The Forge (map page).
-an important discussion about the parameters and quirks of the census and how that can impact searches in the section “Results are not always what they appear!”
A short, general explanation of the search process on HistoryForge which includes:
How to search for a place using the Buildings database and The Forge.
How to search for a person using the person database.
How to search the census using the census database.
Check out all the amazing census history compiled on the U.S. Census Bureau's History Website, including census instructions, legislation, maps, oral histories, and much more!
Access the 1950 Census for Tompkins County here.
Important for all transcribers-please read our HistoryForge transcription conventions here.
This document will show you how to find your census sheet online and how to start adding records into HistoryForge.
Your guide to everything you need to know to enter records from the 1950 Census into HistoryForge.
Use this document to verify codes. Search by name or number. Please note that some of the terms are generic and might not be exactly the same as the wording on the census.
Performing a quick self-check of your work as the final step of transcription is imperative to this project. Reviewing your work will show you which common mistakes you might be prone to and help you improve your transcription. Use this checklist to quickly review the census records you entered.
This document from FamilySearch has letter form variations for upper and lower case letters to help you read the handwriting. Hover your mouse over the handwriting to enlarge the image.
An abridged version of the 1949 city directory which includes the Alphabetical (last name) Directory and the Street Directory sections.
"Manning's Ithaca directory including Cayuga Heights Village (New York) for year beginning March, 1949 : containing general directories of the citizens, classified business directory, street and house directory, map, record of city government, societies, churches, etc., county, state and U.S. governments, courts, etc. : Volume XLVIII : compiled and published by H.A. Manning Company, Schenectady, N.Y., 1949."
An abridged version of the 1951 city directory which includes the Alphabetical (last name) Directory and the Street Directory sections.
"Manning's Ithaca directory including Cayuga Heights Village (New York) for year beginning January, 1951 : containing general directories of the citizens, classified business directory, street and house directory, map, record of city government, societies, churches, etc., county, state and U.S. governments, courts, numerical telephone locator : Volume XLIX : compiled and published by H.A. Manning Company, Schenectady, N.Y., 1951."
Ithaca College yearbook, courtesy of Ithaca College Archives & Special Collections and South Central Regional Library Council and New York Heritage.
Use this link to search for the name's of Ithaca College students, professors, and staff in the 1950 census.
Compiled May, 1957, by Ralph Denman
Century System Rural House Numbering Surveys
Access the 1940 Census for Tompkins County here.
A short (abt. 10 min) video by the US Census Bureau from 1940 explaining some of the questions on the 1940 Census. Please watch before transcribing the 1940 Census. "This film demonstrates to enumerators how to accurately identify and enter the names of all members of a household, determine employment status, and identify categories of employment."
Your guide to everything you need to know to enter records from the 1940 Census into HistoryForge.
Important for all transcribers-please read our HistoryForge transcription conventions here.
Performing a quick self-check of your work as the final step of transcription is imperative to this project. Reviewing your work will show you which common mistakes you might be prone to and help you improve your transcription. Use this checklist to quickly review the census records you entered.
A reference to help you recognize and verify those pesky occupation and industry codes from the 1940 Census.
Manning's Ithaca (New York) Directory for Year Beginning March, 1940 Containing General Directories of Citizens, Classified Business Directory, Street and House Directory, Map, Record of City Government, Societies, Churches, Etc., County, State and U.S. Governments, Courts, Etc. Volume XLII Compiled and Published by H.A. Manning Company, Schenectady, N.Y., 1940.
A reference of street names from the 1940 Ithaca City Directory to ensure street names entered in HistoryForge have the correct spelling, prefixes, and suffixes.
Access the 1930 Census for Tompkins County here.
Your guide to everything you need to know to enter records from the 1930 Census into HistoryForge.
Important for all transcribers-please read our HistoryForge transcription conventions here.
A reference to help you recognize and verify those pesky occupation codes from the 1930 Census.
Performing a quick self-check of your work as the final step of transcription is imperative to this project. Reviewing your work will show you which common mistakes you might be prone to and help you improve your transcription. Use this checklist to quickly review the census records you entered.
Residential and business directories for Ithaca and surrounding areas, 1930.
Available from The Tompkins County Public Library courtesy of The History Center in Tompkins County.
Use this link to access the directory, digitized and divided into 6 separate pdf documents.
Learn why this question is asked on the 1930 census.
Access the 1920 Census for Tompkins County here.
Your guide to everything you need to know to enter records from the 1920 Census into HistoryForge.
Important for all transcribers-please read our HistoryForge transcription conventions here.
A reference to help you recognize and verify those pesky occupation codes from the 1920 Census.
Performing a quick self-check of your work as the final step of transcription is imperative to this project. Reviewing your work will show you which common mistakes you might be prone to and help you improve your transcription. Use this checklist to quickly review the census records you entered.
Residential and business directories for Ithaca and surrounding areas, 1919/1920.
Available from The Tompkins County Public Library courtesy of The History Center in Tompkins County.
Use this link to access the directory, digitized and divided into 5 separate pdf documents.
This list of all men in Tompkins County aged 21-30 who registered under the Federal Selective Service Act of 1917 can be used to check name spelling (first and last) for the 1920 census across the county.
From the Ithaca Journal, July 5, 1917, 8-9.
Access the 1910 Census for Tompkins County on FamilySearch here.
Your guide to everything you need to know to enter records from the 1910 Census into HistoryForge.
Important for all transcribers-please read our HistoryForge transcription conventions here.
Performing a quick self-check of your work as the final step of transcription is imperative to this project. Reviewing your work will show you which common mistakes you might be prone to and help you improve your transcription. Use this checklist to quickly review the census records you entered.
Residential and business directories for Ithaca and surrounding areas, 1911/1912.
Available from The Tompkins County Public Library courtesy of The History Center in Tompkins County.
Use this link to access the directory, digitized and divided into 5 separate pdf documents.
Caroline p206, Danby p217, Dryden p223, Enfield p243, Groton p252, Ithaca p270, Lansing p287, Newfield p299, Ulysses p308
Access the 1900 Census for Tompkins County on FamilySearch here.
Your guide to everything you need to know to enter records from the 1900 Census into HistoryForge.
Important for all transcribers-please read our HistoryForge transcription conventions here.
Performing a quick self-check of your work as the final step of transcription is imperative to this project. Reviewing your work will show you which common mistakes you might be prone to and help you improve your transcription. Use this checklist to quickly review the census records you entered.
Residential and business directories for Ithaca and surrounding areas, 1901.
Available from The Tompkins County Public Library courtesy of The History Center in Tompkins County.
Use this link to access the directory, digitized and divided into 4 separate pdf documents.
Access the 1880 Census for Tompkins County on FamilySearch here.
Your guide to everything you need to know to enter records from the 1880 Census into HistoryForge.
Important for all transcribers-please read our HistoryForge transcription conventions here.
Performing a quick self-check of your work as the final step of transcription is imperative to this project. Reviewing your work will show you which common mistakes you might be prone to and help you improve your transcription. Use this checklist to quickly review the census records you entered.
Ithaca General and Business Directory also, General, State, County, and City Government, Institutions, Societies, and Other Valuable Information, Ithaca, N.Y.: Norton & Conklin Publishers, 1880.
A reference of street names from the 1880 Ithaca City Directory to ensure street names entered in HistoryForge have the correct spelling, prefixes, and suffixes.
Transcribed data from: Cornell University, The Cornellian 1870, Ithaca, NY: The Secret Societies, 1870, HathiTrust.
The Ithaca Directory section of Boyd's Directory of Binghamton, Elmira, Ithaca, and Owego, 1864
Includes the Census Act of 1850, the law authorizing the taking of the 7th and subsequent censuses, as well as the instructions for taking the population and other censuses,