Inconsistent metadata
Record search reports include metadata that can be cross-checked against the catalog, and the comparison sometimes reveals a discrepancy.
For example, look up Emma Cheeney, born Maine 1836, residing Maine 1850. There is exactly one hit:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6VZ-9PC
Event Place: Eastport, Washington, Maine, United States
Affiliate Film Number 272
Affiliate Publication Number M432
Digital Folder Number 004198863
Microfilm Number 443510
However, if you look up film 443510 in the Familysearch catalog and choose the description of the 1850 Maine census and then search for "Eastport", you find the
following:
(NARA Series M432, Roll 273)
Film = 443510 DGS = 4198863
Note that the film and folder numbers agree, but the "Roll 273" does not agree with the Affiliate Film Number 272 in the search report.
This problem appears to be repeated across the entire set of 1850 census entries for Washington County, Maine, and a similar problem occurs in Waldo County and other places as well. This problem is particularly worrisome if it applies to 1870 census data, since the search reports for 1870 do not include the Affiliate Film Number.
Answers
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@John Chandler_1 Thank you for reporting the inaccurate metadata for the 1850 US Census. We will forward this on to a team of specialists who can get it corrected. Someone from that team will contact you if they need more information.
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