Lesson-Seven - Census Records (Part-2)

The census records are one of the most valuable sources of information for genealogist. The major census records are the US Federal Census Records. The US Census has been take every ten year starting in 1790 (See Lesson Two for more details) However, there are a number of states that also took census in other years, most often in the in between years such as 1895 or 1925. When searching for ancestors, determine the state in which they were residing, and check for census records for that state. This lesson will concentrate on the US Federal Census records for 1790 through 1840. These do not have as much information as later censuses, but the information can be valuable.

Copies of these records can be found at the National Archives, at many state and local libraries, and at some of the Family History Centers. Review Lesson Three for where to find genealogy information. There are also many Online sources for the census records and their indexes, but most of them charge a fee for access.

The national Archives does have the census records index Online for free.

Clues in Census Records, 1790-1840

Experienced genealogical researchers use clues found in one record to find other records about the same individual. The information available in these census records are detailed below.

Date of birth

• The 1790-1840 censuses generally named only the head of household but reported the age of each household member in age categories. For example, the 1810 census reported the number of free white males and free white females in these age categories:

  "Under ten years of age" 
  "Over ten years, and under sixteen"
  "Over sixteen, and under twenty-six"
  "Over twenty-six, and under forty-five"
  "forty-five and upwards"

• While the age range provided by age categories does not indicate an exact date of birth, it at least gives a "ballpark" figure useful (1) for tracking the head of household from one census to the next, especially if other people have the same name, and (2) for tentatively estimating the composition of the family, which the researcher must confirm from other records. 

• For example, in 1810, the household of Alexander Tackles of Warsaw, Genesee County,, NY, consisted of two males age 16-26 (sons Alexander Jr. and John B.), one male over age 45 (Alexander), one female under age 10 (daughter Sophronia), one female age 16-26 (daughter Polly), and one female over age 45 (wife Philena Howard). The census provided the age ranges of family members; names and exact dates of birth of Alexander's family members were obtained from other records. 
  
  The 1840 census reported the name and exact age of Revolutionary War pensioners.

Immigration and Naturalization

• The 1820 census reported the number of "Foreigners not naturalized" in each household; the 1830 census reported the number of "Aliens-Foreigners not naturalized" in each household. For example, the 1820 census for Geauga County, Ohio, reported that these households included aliens.


• Although these censuses do not specify which person or persons in the household were aliens, this clue should alert the researcher (1) to search for known household members in immigration records, (2) to be alert to clues in other records that point to the suspected immigrant's possible foreign origins, and (3) to search for possible later naturalization records for the suspected immigrant. Unfortunately, however, there are relatively few ship passenger lists (immigration records) before January 1, 1820, when the Federal Government began requiring such lists to be presented to collectors of customs.

Military Service

• The 1840 census asked for the names and ages of "Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services, Included in the Foregoing [Household]." Pensioners included both veterans and widows. For example, veteran Alexander Tackels, aged 85, was enumerated in the household of Jonathan Arnold in Middlebury, Genesee (now Wyoming) County,, NY, and the widow Chloe McCullar, aged 81 1/2, was enumerated in the household of W.W. Blake in St. Albans Township, Licking County,, OH. 


• This clue may lead the researcher to Revolutionary War military service and pension records.


• Since elderly persons usually resided with kinfolk, the pensioners' presence in these households should be a clue that the pensioner may be related to someone in the household. For example, William W. Blake's wife's maiden name was Nancy McCullar; she was one of Chloe McCullar's children.

Occupation and Economic Data

1810 Census

• In 1810, the U.S. marshals and their assistants who took the census were instructed to obtain information about manufacturing. However, since they were not told what questions to ask, the information collected varied widely. For example, Eli Waste of Wilmington, Windham County,, VT, owned one loom that produced the following yards of cloth: 60 woolen, 50 linen, 10 cotton, and 50 mixed fabrics, while James Weston [sic, Westurn] of Orwell, Rutland (now Addison) Co., VT, owned seven sheep, one spinning wheel, and one little spinning wheel that produced 25 yards of woolen cloth and 15 yards of linen cloth.


• Clues about livestock may lead to personal property tax records, kept by the county treasurer, county auditor, or equivalent official.

1820 Census 

• The 1820 census reported the number of persons in each household who engaged in agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing. 


• If household members engaged in agriculture (i.e., were farmers), the researcher should check for deeds and mortgages in the county recorder's office or equivalent agency, and for real and personal property tax records kept by the county auditor, county treasurer, or equivalent official. Not all farmers owned land or livestock, of course, but it is always worthwhile to check all extant records for the place where a person is known to have lived.

1840 Census

• The 1840 census reported the number of persons in each household who engaged in mining; agriculture; commerce; manufactures and trades; navigation of the ocean; navigation of canals, lakes, and rivers; and learned professions and engineers. Again, researchers should check land and tax records kept by county officials, especially when the household was engaged in agricultural pursuits.
  

Recommendations

• When researching use clues found in one record to locate other records about the same individual. However, it is best to thoroughly exhaust all records for the place where the person is known to have lived before searching other records.
  

The next lesson will go into detail about where to start the US Census records search, and how methodically build a Family Tree.

Data courtesy of the National Archives

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