After reading Susan Zmrzel's tip of looking at neighbors for relatives while searching census records, I was reminded of a method I've used successfully a number of times. For hard to find people in census records, try using neighboring families even if they aren't related.

Let's say you've found a family in the 1910 and 1930 censuses, but not in 1920. Pick a neighbor and search for them in 1920. If your family doesn't appear on the same page, check a couple of pages either way.

Don't give up with just one try, either. Use several of the neighbors. If you have no luck working forward from the 1910 census, try going back in time from the 1930 census, especially if they are in different locations.

When selecting a neighbor, make sure they are of an age that would be likely to be in the census you're searching. For example, don't choose centenarians with great expectations of finding them ten years later.

It might help to choose people who owned their residence, as opposed to renters, with the idea that homeowners are more likely to be remain in one place longer. It may also help if you can find a surname you recognize, as families often migrate in packs and there could be a relationship you're not aware of.

Thanks to Geoff for today's Quick Tip! If you have a tip you would like to share with researchers, you can send it to: ADNeditor@ancestry.com.

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