Beyond the Immediate Person

I'm becoming convinced that I probably won't find my Ira Sargent in the 1870 census. However, in an attempt to locate him, I've reviewed information on his:

• siblings
• step-father
• half-siblings
• aunts and uncles

I've also tried to locate all these people in 1870 thinking that Ira could be living with them or near them. I still haven't found him, but I have learned quite a bit about his extended family in the process. 

Have you gotten beyond your immediate person?