[Genealib] Ancestry 1905 Iowa State Census Images - Update

[Kristen Smith]

Librarians and Ancestry Users:

I thought that you all might be interested to know what I have learned about the 1905 Iowa State Census Images on Ancestry.  It appears that the digitized images for this year are actually taken from the Iowa Census Register - not the State Census Records themselves.  This may cause a lot of confusion for your patrons because  unless you knew what information the 1905 census contained, you would not realize that the images being linked to were not taken from the actual census.  Also, in the database description for Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925, this is not indicated. 

As far as I know, the other years contain the actual census records, but for some reason the 1905 has only the Census Register images.  So be sure to let your patrons know that there is more information available out there on microfilm - only don't make the mistake of ordering the 1905 Iowa Census Register or you'll be disappointed.  

Hope this information is helpful to you all.  Thank goodness for research guides like State Census Records by Ann Lainhart or I would never have known that something was amiss.

Kind Regards,

Kristen Newton Smith, M.L.S.
Reference Librarian
Algonquin Area Public Library