Session 1/5: Stop Misreading Census Records: Build Your AI-Powered Census Decoder
Every genealogist uses census records. Most of us are reading them wrong.
That age discrepancy that's been driving you crazy? The enumerator may have been following instructions you've never seen. That missing birthplace detail? The law that year didn't require it. That confusing occupation entry? There was a handbook telling the census taker exactly what to write.
Every federal census was shaped by specific legislation and guided by detailed enumerator instructions — and almost nobody reads them before interpreting the records.
In this workshop, you'll learn why census records say what they say (and what they deliberately left out), and you'll build a personal AI-powered Census Decoder you can use on your own research the moment you get home.
What you'll walk away with:
A working Claude AI project loaded with historical enumerator instructions, ready to help you decode any census record in your collection. Not a PDF on your hard drive — a functional research tool you'll use again tomorrow.
What we'll cover:
The legislation behind every census and why it matters for your research
Enumerator instructions most genealogists have never seen
How to set up a dedicated Census Decoder project in Claude AI
Live demonstrations using real census records from the audience
7 copy-paste prompts designed specifically for census analysis
What you'll need:
A free Claude AI account (claude.ai ) — set this up before the workshop)
One census record you've been confused by or want to understand better
A computer (not a phone or tablet— you'll be building alongside me)
This workshop is for you if:
You want to learn how AI actually helps with genealogy research (not hype, real use)
You've never used Claude AI and want a guided first experience
About Denyse:
I help family historians finish their research and write chronicles their families will actually read. I teach AI as a research partner — not a replacement — and my students have a 90% completion rate in the Chronicle Writing Sprint. I'll show you exactly how I use AI in my own research.
Can't attend live? Register anyway — you'll receive the recording after the event.