Sarah Raesbeck Woodin 1831-1908

Who is Sarah Raesbeck Woodin? According to the photo she is “Dad’s Mother.” This photograph is one on many from the Wilma Woodin Collection. Wilma Woodin Morey, 1922-2016, was my mother’s cousin or my first cousin once removed. So, “Dad’s Mother” would be the mother of Martin Luther Woodin, 1873-1931, or the wife of Abel Woodin, 1827-1887.

With the use of online computer digital images, I was no closer to identifying Sarah than the paper copies I received in the early 1990s. Maureen Taylor, The PhotoDetective,  tells me that every photograph wants to tell me a story. So, Sarah what is your story? What records are now digitized that Wilma did not have access to years ago?

Sarah Giles was baptized 2 November 1831 in Bromsgrove, Worcester, England according to the Family History Library Film Number 321128. The index for the baptism date is 1831 and several census records agree. The 1841 and 1851 English Census records approximate 1832. So, when the quarantine is over, this will need to be verified (May 2020). Her father is listed as James Giles; her mother is listed as Mary Giles. The 1861 English Census reads that Mary’s father is Richard Lewis.

Sarah Giles married Abel Woodin on 9 June 1851 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. According to digital records, the family crossed the Atlantic in 1880. Abel died 1887 and was buried in LaSalle County, Illinois. Sarah married a second time to John Raisbeck on 17 September 1890 in Grundy County, Illinois, Illinois Marriages FHL film 001415756. View the 1900 United States Federal Census, John, Sarah and Thomas were enumerated in Bureau County, Illinois. Thomas was born in 1881 in Illinois. Thomas’ obituary reads that he was born in Braceville, Grundy County. At this time, my further research reveals that Elizabeth Wilson was the mother of Thomas and Rachael Raisbeck. Sarah was still married to Abel Woodin in 1881. Family papers reveal Sarah’s death date as 1908, as of May 2020 I am unable to find an obituary or any document.

For me, the photo question has been answered, Sarah was born Giles, married first time Abel Woodin, married second time John Raisbeck.

My connection, Sarah Giles was the mother-in-law of my great aunt, Eugenie Luella COUCH 1878-1959. See my tree, Roots Digger (Under Construction), on Ancestry.com for the source citations; or, see my tree, Roots Digger 2020, on MyHeritage.com.

Thank you Wilma for your many, many hours putting together this family for future generations!

Ruhama Raymond born about 1771 in New York

Who is Ruhama or Reuhuma Raymond born about 1771 in New York? She was married to Joshua Raymond date unknown. They apparently lived their life in Bedford, Manchester County, New York. Their children are Alanson, Alexander, Sally, Edwin and Jane.

Sorry, no photos or wonderful documents to share. Ruhama is in the 1850 census. Her husband, died in December 1839 according to his probate. At the time of his death, his wife and children are mentioned in the probate with Samuel L Smith husband to Sally as executor.

According to many online trees, Ruhama has various death dates. All seem to be without documentation. Was this erroneously taken from Joshua's probate? Even a grave marker has the date of 1832, but the stone is too faint to read. If she is in the 1850 census with her son and mentioned in the February 1840 probate, I doubt the reading on the grave marker is correct.

 The probate can be read on Ancestry.com. Wills and Letters, 1777-1983; Author: Westchester County (New York). Surrogate's Court; Probate Place: Westchester, New York. page 98.

Another site,  "Our Family Tree, " offers 1853 as a death date. But again, no sources! I must apologize, as many of my tree items have no sources. That will be my project this next year. It is embarrassing to be asked, "Where did that come from? or, How do you know that?" and have to answer, "I don't know."

My interest in this family is the given name Alanson and New York. My Dunham research has Alanson Hickok married into the Dunham family. Alanson Hickok moved to northeast Wisconsin in the mid 1800s.

Happy tree climbing and roots digging,
Selma
 

How to abstract a U.S. census with Mathew Armstrong 1850 population schedule as my example

In this article, I will demonstrate how to abstract a census from a digital image to a genealogical software program. For this example, the 1850 U.S. census population schedule for Matthew Armstrong will be used with the genealogical software program Roots Magic.

In every census, the enumerators asked different questions. Start with the most current census in which a known family member has been located. Always work backward; find the family in each census; always abstract all of the information.

The 1880 U.S. Census population schedule is the first year that the enumerator asked the question about the relationship of each individual to the head of the household. The 1850, 1860, and 1870 census information does not establish relationships. When working backward or with the information from other documents when abstracting the 1850, 1860, or 1870 census records, I will add [relationship established from other documents] in the comments area. The relationship information is necessary for sharing documents. If I do not have the relationship information, an entry is made in my “to do” list or family research. Remember, census records are clues only!

In Roots Magic software, events may be shared with multiple people. Shared events are great for census or obituaries or any event with multiple names. The event is entered, abstracted with source cited only once and then easily shared with others.

For more articles on census research, read my other census or how to articles on this blog. 

Happy tree climbing and roots digging,

Selma

Census: Online searches

Research Every Census

With the ease of a few keystrokes, most family historians will begin research in the U.S. population schedule censuses. Suggestions for online research:

• If the site offers general and exact matches, always try both methods.
• Begin a general search with minimal information, such as surname, given name and location.
• Narrow the research by editing advanced search with personal information such as dates or family names.
• Print or download the index page and the digitized census. The index page provides the source citation. If the desired family is at the top of the census page, print the previous page. If the desired family is at the bottom of the census page, print the following page.
• Look at the neighbors and a few pages preceding and following. Abstract the census data for families with the same surname. 

Genealogy software programs, such as Roots Magic and Legacy, offer census events and citation source wizards. The family historian may choose to construct a document in a spreadsheet or a table format. Include a source citation for every entry. Elizabeth Shown Mills in her book, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, offers a chapter of guidelines and examples on citing census records.

The citation identifies the source; the abstraction provides information on the family unit. A blank census form will aid in identifying the enumeration questions. If making a spreadsheet or table, the family historian may want to add the questions as headers.
Abstract every person in the household. 

Roots Magic 1940 census abstraction for William Kampe, Frankfort, Will, Illinois

Follow the family backwards – every census offers unique tips:

• About residence and migration patterns
• About occupation
• About household members, the census may include parents or siblings
• 1940 – Residence in 1935 and employment status
• 1930 – Age first marriage, value of home, language spoken in home
• 1920 – Able to read or write, able to speak English
• 1910 – Survivor of Union or Confederate Army or Navy
• 1900 – Month and year of birth, year of immigration, number of years in U.S. and naturalization
• 1890 – Only a few counties are available, see FamilySearch.org wiki
• 1880 – Relationship to the head of household, parents’ birth location
• 1870 – Parents’ foreign born, education, male citizenship
• 1860 – Value of personal property, separate slave schedule
• 1850 – First census with data for everyone in household, separate slave schedule

On the Ancestry website, the researcher has at least five census search options:

• Search all records either exact or not exact
• Census and voters list
• Narrow the record search to a specific census
• Card catalog with “U.S. census” as keywords
• Browse the census by location

The researcher should search by each of the above methods. Due to indexing and tagging parameters on Ancestry, each method will produce different results.

If no matches, remember:

• The search is by index, not actual record. The researcher may browse the census pages by location
• The spellings of names change from census to census
• The location names change as county boundaries change or street names and numbers change
• People move
• People die

Do NOT:

• Exclusively use one website, search Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Heritage Quest, U.S.genweb.org, cyndislist.com
• Assume anything, always verify census with other original records and family information
• Get discouraged, go slow and take your time
• Give up, keep going
• Exclusively research one type of record such as census, vital, or newspapers

For questions about U.S. census research, contact Selma Blackmon.

Census: Enumeration

1930 U.S. Census. Illinois, Will, Lockport. ED 99-65. Sheet 20A. William Schuler. National Archives. Washington, D. C. Ancestry. com. Accessed 14 April 2013

When genealogists talk about the U.S. Population Schedule Census, words such as enumeration, enumerator, ED, or enumeration district occur. What do these mean and how do they apply to the census? According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the definition of enumerate is “to ascertain the number of: count” and “to specify one after another: list.” This topic will be discussed in two articles. The first includes the enumerator and enumeration questions. The second includes the enumeration district number or ED.

Check the information at the top of each page. From 1790 until 1840, the enumeration date is given; the date the count was made. From 1850 until 1870, the enumerator signs as Ass’t Marshal. From 1880 onward, the enumerator signs as Enumerator.

Enumerator: The person, who progresses from abode to abode, asks the questions and writes the answers on the census page. The questions vary with each census. For detailed instructions, the researcher should become familiar with Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790 to 2000 available at the U.S. Census Bureau website.

Examples of census enumerations:

• 1790 the name of the head of the household and number of free white males and free white females by age and number of slaves
• 1820 to 1840 the name of the head of the household and number of free white males and free white females by age, number of slaves, and free colored persons
• 1850 and 1860 all free inhabitants by name, relationship not given, a separate mortality schedule, and slave schedule
• 1870 every person by name except Indians not taxed
• 1880 relationship to head of house, Indian schedule
• 1900 month and year of birth, education, home ownership
• 1910 native language of the foreign born, year of immigration
• 1920 age of children under 5 years to be given in years and months, no Indian schedule
• 1930 employment and unemployment
• 1940 every person’s location in 1935

The U.S. Population Schedule Census is divided into Enumeration Districts. 

At the top of each census page from 1880 upward, an enumeration district number is recorded for each district. 

Enumeration District Number or ED: the number assigned to each enumeration area. The area covered by one enumerator. The enumeration begins at the state level. Supervisors are assigned counties. The counties are divided into ED’s. Every state uses the same numbering system, usually alphabetical by counties, then alphabetical by city names. Beginning with the 1930 census, the ED consists of two numbers separated by a hyphen. The prefix corresponds with the county and suffix corresponds with a specific location. Example, Georgia, Appling, Tillman, Militia District 443 has the Enumeration District number 1-1; Georgia, Fulton, Atlanta Borough, First Ward has the Enumeration District number 61-1; Georgia, Wilkes, Washington, Washington City-north part has the Enumeration District number 159-1.

Maps of the Enumeration Districts are available at the National Archives website or Steve Morse One Step website or USGenWeb Census Project.

U.S. Population Census questions or suggestions, contact Selma Blackmon.

Census: Research family relationships, part 4

1868 marriage application. Illinois, Will, Lockport. John Shuler and Lena Baumgarten

This series of articles demonstrates how to research family relationships from the digital U.S. population schedule census records. The further back the researcher traces the family, the more difficult it is to verify information. The 1870, 1860, and 1850 U.S. population schedule censuses are the first to offer individual household member’s names, ages, occupations, and birthplaces. These census years may provide relationship clues only. The relationship to the head of the house is NOT given!

All of the research techniques from part 1 of this series have been used in this last research project. Using the Schuler family as an example, the family historian would print out the index sheets and digital census sheets from 1870 back to 1850. The index search on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org is restricted to the location of Lockport, Illinois and the surname Sch??ler or Sh??ler. In this project, location is more important than exact name spelling.
The 1870 index results:

• John Schoeler, 28, Quarry hand, lives in a boarding house, born Prussia
• Caroline Schoeler, 19, servant, lives with a private family, born Illinois

Enumerated together:

• Ann Schoeler, 47, keeping house, born Switzerland
• Jacob Burly, 55, ship carpenter, born New York
• Charles Schoeler, 22, canal teamster, born Illinois

Enumerated above Ann Schoeler:

• John Schaler [Schoeler], 28, canal captain, born Illinois
• Magdalena Schaler, 27, keeping house, born Oldenburg
• Henrietta Baumgartner, 58, born Oldenburg
• Maria Baumgartner, 19, born Oldenburg
• Julius Baumgartner, 17, born Oldenburg

1860 index results:

• Eliza Shuler, 17, servant, lives with a private family, born Illinois

Enumerated together:

• Ann Shuler, 41, keeping house, born Switzerland
• John Shuler, 18, born Illinois
• Elizabeth Shuler, 16, born Illinois
• Charles Shuler, 14, born Illinois
• Mary Shuler, 12, born Illinois
• Caroline Shuler, 10, born Illinois
• Agnes Shuler, 7, born Illinois
• Stephen Shuler, 1, born Illinois

1850 index results:
Enumerated together:

• John Shuler, 35, laborer, born Germany
• Eufen Shuler, 31, born Germany
• John Shuler, 8, born Illinois
• Eliza Shuler, 7, born Illinois
• Charles Shuler, 4, born Illinois
• Mary A. Shuler, 2, born Illinois

The project will include comparing the Schuler name and all variations in Lockport, Illinois between the years of 1870 back to 1850 at the same time while looking for any similarities such as birth year, place, or occupation.
According to the census records of 1880, 1900, and 1910, John was born between 1839 and 1842. Starting with the 1870 records, separate John Schoeler the quarry worker born in Prussia from John Shaler the canal captain born in Illinois. The 1880, 1900, and 1910 census records list his occupation as teamster born in Illinois; not an exact match. The marriage license between John Shuler and Lena Baumgartner dated 1868 provides the link for John Shaler and Magdalena Shaler in 1870.
In 1860 and 1850, one abode carries the name Shuler. Four given names are carried from 1850 to 1860. Remember, the census records do NOT offer relationships, only clues. According to family research of other documents such as marriage license, baptismal records, newspaper clippings, and land records, the Schuler family in Lockport, Illinois is:

• John Schuler, born about 1815, native language German
• Anna, wife, born about 1819, native language German
• John, son, born about 1840 in Illinois
• Elizabeth, daughter, born about 1842 in Illinois
• Charles Henry, son, born about 1845 in Illinois
• Mary Ann, daughter, born about 1848 in Illinois
• Caroline, daughter, born about 1850 in Illinois
• Agnes, daughter, born about 1852 in Illinois

Without marriage certificates, written family documents, and oral tradition, the family relationships would NOT have been identified from the 1870, 1860, or 1850 census.
Other questions:

• Who in 1870 is John Schoeler, quarry worker?
• Is Caroline in 1860 and 1870 the same person?
• Who is the Eliza in 1860?
• Who is Stephen in 1860?

Census records offer hints or clues not absolute facts.
For comments and questions, please contact Selma Blackmon.

Census: Research family relationships, part 3

This series of articles demonstrates how to research family relationships from digital census records. The further back the researcher traces the family, the more difficult it is to verify information. The records for several census years may be necessary to answer basic family questions. Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org offer census indexes.

Research technique: work backwards. The 1910 U.S. population schedule census rephrased the question from age at first marriage to number of years married. Married women were asked the number of children born and how many now living. For the 1900 census, the enumerators asked the birth month and year of each family member as well as the number of children born and living. The 1880 census is the first time the enumerator inquires into the relationship to the head of the house.

Research technique: use collaborating documents. Continuing with the Schuler ancestors, William and Nettie have not been found in the 1910 census. Family documents verify their marriage in Dec 1908. Family legends include his occupation as a boat captain with placement on the Illinois and Michigan Canal in Illinois.

1910 U.S. Census. Illinois, Will, Lockport. John Schuler family

Research technique: Do not read into the record what is not there. In 1910, the only Schuler in Lockport, Illinois is John Schuler. Is there a relationship? The 1900 U.S. population schedule census does enumerate William J. as the son of John Schuler. William’s occupation is boatman. This links William J. to his father, John.

1900 U.S. Census. Illiinois, Will, Lockport, John Schuler family

In the 1880 census, the enumerator inquires as to the relationship of each member to the head of the house. Research technique: connect to the right family. Two families are enumerated; one family is Anna Shuler; the other family is John Schuler. This census identifies John Schuler’s children. Research technique: abstract the information thoroughly and correctly. The abstracted information will reveal family name changes, births or deaths in the family. 

1880 U.S, Census. Illinois, Will, Lockport. John Schuler family

Research technique: do not read into the record what is not there. Wait for future research to connect the families of Anna and John.

Example, the second generation of the Schuler family is John and Lena Schuler, the author’s maternal great-grandparents. The 1910, 1900, and 1880 U.S. population censuses provide family information as follows:

• John Schuler is the head of the family.
• Laney, Lena, or Linna M. is his wife.
• The birth order and names of his five children are:
• William, William J., or Willie born Aug 1871
• Clara born about 1873
• Edward born Sept 1876
• Harriett M. or Juliana born Feb 1878
• Nellie born Sept 1891

Note the daughter’s name difference between Juliana in 1880 and Harriett in 1900. The birth dates indicate this is the same person. The daughter’s mother speaks German. Could a misunderstanding of the question account for the name difference?

Future research:

• As Clara was not enumerated on the 1900 census, look for death information between 1880 and 1900.
• As Harriet M. was not enumerated on the 1910 census, look for death information between 1900 and 1910.
• Anna Schuler is a widow in 1880. Who was her husband?

1880 U.S. Census. Illinois, Will, Lockport. Ann Shuler family

Census records offer hints or clues not absolute facts.

For comments and questions, please contact Selma Blackmon.

Census: Research family relationships, part 2

1930 U.S. Census. Illinois, Will, Lockport. ED 99-65. Sheet 20A. William Schuler.  National Archives. Washington, D. C. Ancestry.com. Accessed 15 April 2013

Is it possible to build a family from digital census records? Sometimes digital images are the only clue to family members. This series of articles demonstrates how to use the clues to trace ancestors. Mildred Kampe and her ancestors will be traced back to 1850 using the techniques listed in Genealogy: How to research family relationships from census records, part 1.

Research technique: work backwards. In the 1940 U.S. population schedule census, Mildred, age 20, is enumerated as the daughter-in-law to William Kampe. According to the census, her residence in 1935 was Lockport, Illinois.

View slideshow: How to research the U.S. censuses online

Without the marriage license, the researcher would search the 1930 U.S. population schedule census on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org using the following qualifiers:

• First name only, Mildred
• Gender, female
• Race or nationality, white
• Birth location, Illinois
• Birth date, about 1920 plus or minus two years
• Lived in, Lockport, Will, Illinois

The index search results on both websites reveal nine matches. The surnames are Acond, Gregorich, Krickovich, Lee, Ludwig, Ording, Riggs, Schuler, and Skalac. Comparing censuses, ages may very about three years.

Research technique: connect to the right family. With the nine matches, each surname would need to be researched and eliminated.

Research technique: use collaborating documentation. This researcher has the marriage license for Henry J. Kampe and Mildred L. Schuler. Schuler is Mildred’s maiden name.
In 1930, the enumerator recorded data regarding the relationship of each person in the family unit to the head of the family, the married couple’s age of first marriage, and their place of abode.

Research technique: abstract the information thoroughly and correctly. The census citation would read as follows: 1930 U.S. Census, Will County, Illinois, population schedule, Lockport City, Lockport Township, enumeration district (ED) 99-65, sheet 20A, household 490, William Schuler; digital images, Ancestry.com (complete URL; downloaded 5 April 2012); National Archives, Washington, D.C
With the 1930 clues, the family was easily located in the 1920 U.S. population schedule census. The Schuler family was smaller; they lived on the same block in Lockport, Illinois. The census citation would read as follows: 1920 U.S. Census, Will County, Illinois, population schedule, Lockport City, Lockport Township, enumeration district (ED) 193, sheet 3A, household 63, William Schuler; digital images, Ancestry.com (complete URL; downloaded 5 April 2012); National Archives, Washington, D.C
Example, the first generation of the Schuler family is William and Nettie Schuler, the author’s maternal grandparents. The 1930 and 1920 U.S. population census enumerated the family as follows:

• William Schuler is the head of the family, married at age 37.
• Nettie is his wife, married at age 26.
• Eleanor is his daughter.
• Lloyd is his son.
• Mildred, author’s mother, is his daughter.
• Dorothy is his daughter.

Additional abstracted information:

• Family members’ occupations
• Family members’ birth place
• Family residence

Further research, beyond census records:

• Marriage license
• Birth certificates
• City directories

Census records offer hints or clues not absolute facts.
For comments and questions, please contact Selma Blackmon, thank you.

Census: Research family relationships, part 1

1940 U.S. Census. Illinois, Will, Frankfort. ED 99-11. Sheet 5B. William Kampe. National Archives. Washington, D. C. Ancestry,.com. accessed 15 April 2013

Digital census records offer a treasure of family clues. Is it possible to build a family from only digital census records? Sometimes this is the single clue to family members. This series of articles will attempt to demonstrate how to research family relationships from digital census records. In this series, the example demonstrates the techniques. Read for ideas not names or locations. FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com offer census indexes.

Research techniques:

• Start from the most recent census available and work backwards
• Build from the known to the unknown
• Abstract the information thoroughly and correctly
• Do not read into the record what is not there
• Connect to the right family
• Use collaborating documentation

The example for this article is a scanned image of the 1940 census; see photo. The genealogical citation would read as follows: 1940 U.S. Census, Will County, Illinois, population schedule, Frankfort Village, Frankfort Township, enumeration district (ED) 99-11, sheet 5B, household 181, William Kampe; digital images, Ancestry.com (complete URL; downloaded 5 April 2012); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
In 1940, the enumerator recorded the following data “Relationship of this person to the head of the household...” on each person in the family unit.
The census image answers the question of the relationship of each person to William Kampe:

• Wilma is his daughter.
• Henry is his son.
• Mildred is his daughter-in-law.
• Selma is his granddaughter.

The census does NOT answer the questions:

• Who is Henry’s wife?
• Who is Mildred’s husband?
• Who are Selma’s parents?

Further research, beyond census records, is needed:

• Marriage license
• Birth certificate
• Newspapers
• Family members

Beyond the census results:

• Henry J. Kampe and Mildred L. Schuler were married on Nov 19, 1938. The genealogical citation would read as follows: Illinois. Will County. Marriage Certificates. Marriage license no. 52414. County Clerk’s Office, Joliet, Illinois.
• Selma’s birth certificate verifies that Henry John Kampe and Mildred Louise Schuler are her parents. The genealogical citation would read as follows: Illinois. Will County. Certificate of Birth. [Information privately held].

Census records offer hints or clues not absolute facts.
For comments and questions, please contact Selma Blackmon, thank you.

Sources for U.S. Census images

1940 U.S. census. Illinois, Will County, Frankfort. ED 99-11. Sheet 5B. William Kampe. National Archives. Washington, D. C. Ancestry.com. accessed 15 April 2013.

For family information, the census images offer great clues. Depending on the census year, the information may include everything from occupation to birth location to parent’s nativity. The U.S. Census Population Schedule, 1790-1940, pages have been microfilmed. The 1940 census is available only digitally. ALWAYS cite your source. Genealogists reference the Chicago Manual Style, with Evidence Explained specific to genealogy. A citation example for a census: 1850 U.S. census, Lockport Township Will County, Illinois, population schedule, town of Lockport. Micropublication M432, roll 133. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

Complete census microfilm sets through 1930 are available at the National Archives and the regional branches. Our metro Atlanta branch is the National Archives at Atlanta, 5780 Jonesboro Rd, Morrow, GA 30260, Phone: 770-968-2100. Partial census microfilm sets through 1930 may be available in state archives, area historical and genealogical society repositories.

Complete or partial digitized census pages are available online. In the earlier years, several sources were used for the digitization such as state or federal copies. Please check more than one site as the clarity and indexing may be different. Online sites for digitized census records include:

• Ancestry.com
• Heritage Quest.com (library subscription)
• Family search.org
• Fold3.com

Additional census suggestions:

• Print both the index page and the census page. 
• Most database programs offer a download option which can be enhanced and enlarged on your personal pc or mac.
• Search the census by name, year, and location. Each method may offer different results.
• Remember, all of the online sites are constantly updating records, so check back frequently.
• Different web browsers may display and print the database information differently.
• A few census resources are Birth Year Calculator and Cyndi’s List
• Volunteer to index, contact Family Search.org.

What U.S. census questions do you have? Contact Selma Blackmon.

U.S. Census: Population Schedule

William J. Schuler family 1923, Lockport, IL. youngest to oldest - Dorothy, Mildred, Lloyd, Eleanor, Nettie, W.J. possession of Selma Blackmon

For the genealogist, every U.S. Population Schedule census provides unique information. Research each family in every census. The National Archives offers two concise articles, titled Clues in Census Records, 1850-1930 and Clues in Census Records, 1790-1840.
In order to compare census records by year, download and/or print the online information. Download both the index page and the census page. Abstract the research information into a genealogical software program or database. Always cite all research sources!
The census questions are different, check every census.
Name:

• Head of household: 1790-1840
• Everyone in the household: 1850 onward (except slaves), remember, relationship to the head of the house started in 1880

Birth date:

• Age range of free white males and free white females only: 1790-1840
• Age of everyone in the household: 1850 onward
• Census days and the time allowed to complete each enumeration will help the researcher to narrow birth dates. The changes in the specific census day and time allowed to complete the count may account for discrepancies when comparing census years. The 1900 census is the only census with the month and year.

Other information included:

• Parents nativity
• Marriage
• Immigration and citizenship
• Military service
• Occupation
• Able to read or write
• Able to speak English
• Address

The 1940 census schedule asks for the person’s 1935 address. With many financial and farming changes during the 1930’s, this information may answer migration questions.
According to Measuring America by the U.S. Census Bureau “The U.S. Government did not furnish uniform printed schedules until 1830.” Even after this time with identical schedules, not all blanks have been filled in on every census page. The recorded information depended on the enumerator as well as the person answering the questions.
Questions for the researcher to ponder (all the following questions can be answered on each census page):

• What does the census tell us?
• Who gathered the information?
• What was the purpose of this information?
• When was the census taken?
• Where is this family living?

What U.S. census questions do you have? Contact Selma Blackmon

Census: How to begin a search

1940 U.S. Census. population schedule. Illinois, Will, Frankfort. E.D. 099-11. sheet 5B. William Kampe. National Archives. Washington, D.C. Ancestry.com. accessed 11 April 2012.   

For the genealogist, the U.S. federal population schedule census records are a major source of information. First, the family historian must remember that census information is restricted for 72 years. Second, federal enumeration was collected every 10 years. Third, most of the 1890 population schedule is not available. Fourth, genealogy was not the primary purpose for gathering census information. Fifth, the information should be used as a stepping stones to other records and research.

As will all research, the family historian must know basic information such as the surname, given name, and the person’s location for the census year. If this information is not known, a few resources include:

• Family member or friend
• Obituary
• City directory
• Historical telephone book
• Personal papers

Search suggestions:

• With the above information, search each census year starting with the current year and work backward.
• Search one family at a time, if unable to find the family then start with another family
• Download and/or print online census information for all surname spellings in an area
• If using an online indexed database, download both the index page and the census page
• Abstract research information into a genealogical software program or database
• Cite all of your research sources
• For more census information, read “Census Records” on the National Archives website.

Family Search.org offers tutorials and wiki information search under learn at the top of the home page.

What U.S. census questions do you have? Contact Selma Blackmon.

THE CENSUS TAKER

It was the first day of census, and all through the land;

The pollster was ready…a black book in hand.

He mounted his horse for a long dusty ride;

His book and some quills were tucked close by his side.

A long winding ride down a road barely there;

Toward the smell of fresh bread wafting up thru the air.

The woman was tired, with lines on her face;

And wisps of brown hair she tucked back into place.

She gave him some water…as they sat at the table;

And she answered his questions…the best she was able.

He asked of her children…Yes, she had quite a few;

The oldest was twenty, the youngest not two.

She held up a toddler with cheeks round and red;

His sister, she whispered, was napping in bed.

She noted each person who lived there with pride;

And she felt the faint stirrings of the wee one inside.

He noted the sex, the color, the age…;

The marks from the quill soon filled up the page.

At the number of children, she nodded her head;

And he saw her lips quiver for the three that were dead.

The places of birth she “never forgot,”

Was it Kansas? Or Utah? Or Oregon…or not?

They came from Scotland, of that she was clear;

But she wasn’t quite sure just how long they’d been here.

They spoke of employment, of schooling and such;

They could read and write some tho really not much.

With the questions all answered his job there was done;

So he mounted his horse and he rode toward the sun.

We can almost imagine his voice loud and clear;

“May God bless you all for another ten years.”

Now picture a time warp…it’s now you and me;

As we search for the people on our family tree.

We squint at the census and scroll down so slow;

As we search for that entry from long, long ago.

Could they only imagine, on that long ago day;

That the entries they made would affect us this way.

If they knew, would they wonder at the yearning we feel;

And the searching that makes them so increasingly real.

We can hear if we listen the words they impart;

Through their blood in our vein and their voice in our heart.

Author Unknown