William Dollarhide's "Census Substitutes & State Census Records," Reviewed.

Let’s go out on a limb here. As a serious genealogist and researcher for a great many years, I would venture to say that over half of the genealogists that do American Family History Research, do not take FULL advantage of ALL of the various State Censuses and Substitutes that are available.

That being said, let’s ask why not?
The simple answer is that until now researchers have never had one place to search in order to determine just what might be available for the area and the time period that they are studying.

Well that has all changed! William Dollarhide, friend of all genealogists, has compiled another excellent research tool!

“Census Substitute & State Census Records…” Volume 1 – Eastern States and Volume 2 – Western States, 2008, with Foreword by Leland K. Meitzler.

The Chapters are arranged by regions, such as for Volume 1; The Old Southwest, New England, Mid-Atlantic States, The Old South, The Old Northwest, The Central Plains. Volume 2 contains; Texas & Oklahoma, California & Nevada; Alaska & Hawaii, Nuevo Mexico, The Mountain West, and the Oregon Country.

At the start of each chapter there is a chronology of historical events and then there is an explanation of the particular Census Substitute or State Census that was created at that time. This is very beneficial to put you in the right frame of mind to think about “Gee, I wonder how this affected my ancestors, and I wonder if I might find them in this list?”

There are too many to count, but I would guess that there are thousands of places listed here that you have never heard of or would have ever thought to look for. There are source citations for each entry giving usually the Family History Library catalog number, or other location where these items will be located.

A suggestion to the beginning genealogists, “USE THIS BOOK!” A suggestion to the veteran researcher, “Go back over everything that you have done to date, and then USE THIS BOOK!” You are going to be amazed at what you missed. If you have been gathering just what was available on the U.S. Federal Censuses every ten years, you have missed mountains of evidence!


Of particular interest to Upstate New York Genealogy researchers is Leland Meitzler’s poignant discussion in the Foreword regarding New York State politics and greed surrounding the 1925 New York State Census.


Mr. Dollarhide has authored several other excellent research tools such as; “Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Census,” “Map Guide to American Migration Routes,” and several others, of which his “New York State Censuses & Substitutes” was reviewed on our website and Blog at www.unyg.com and given Five Stars!

William Dollarhide, “Census Substitute & State Census Records, An Annotated Bibliography of Published Name Lists for all 50 U.S. States and State Censuses for 37 States,” Volume 1 – Eastern States and Volume 2 – Western States, 2008, Published by Family Roots Publishing Company of Bountiful, Utah, with Foreword by Leland K. Meitzler. www.familyrootspublishing.com

Thank you Bill Dollarhide, from Upstate New York Genealogy – www.unyg.com