census
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What Can Census Records Say About Your Family?
Aug 16
Census records are important for many reasons. Genealogists were super excited when the 1940 census data was released because of the potential that it contained information they needed (and had no way to access before that release). There are many things that census records can say about your family. The National Archives points out that censu...
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Before the Civil War – the 1860 Census
Jul 21
The taking of the U. S. Federal Census of 1860 occurred June 1, 1860 until October 1860. The Civil War officially started in April 1861. So you can get as close a picture of your family ancestors who lived across the 33 states of the eastern coast at that time. Some of the information now placed on this census of 1860, that had not been in previou...
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US Federal 1870 Census
Jul 5
Census day was June 1, 1870 and it took five months to complete. There were 37 US States with 4 news states in 1870 Census, those being West Virginia, Nebraska, Kansas and Nevada. The Census of 1870 also had the US territories: Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Dakota and Indian Territory (l...
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Between 1880 and 1900 Federal Censuses
May 1
Only a few states took part in 1885 in the semi-decennial census suggested by the Federal government in 1879. It was for most states and territories to do their own state census, but unfortunately ... they did not. They would not realize how important the 1885 state census would be in the future. With the fire nearly destroying the 1890 Federal Cen...
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1840 – Military Pensioners
Mar 3
The US Federal June 1840 Census was 177 years ago but still can reveal was previous unknown family information. Besides the regular census with just the name of the head of household listed the census takers ago recorded any individual receiving Revolutionary War and other service pensions by their full name and age. The lists also named the head-o...
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A Little Productive Time Pays Dividends
Dec 31
For the new year here are ideas to increase your knowledge of your ancestors. How about setting aside a short period of time once a week, every other weekend or even once a month to do some research on your family tree? Here are a few approaches: Create a 'To-Do List' - start with just a few of the resources (census, state archives, military reco...
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Chart to Figure Birth Years
Oct 11
The early United States Censuses (1790-1840) did not place a person's age, rather an age range. So it can be difficult to figure approximately year when a person was born. The Colonial Roots online site has done up a chart to assist you to figure those birth years. It breaks down what age range each census had. The one with the least was the first...
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Beyond Population Censuses
Jul 9
Researchers may only be thinking in terms of US Federal Censuses showing populations, our ancestors in a location, a household, their age, place of birth, occupations etc., every ten years. Well, the Federal Government has collected information on other topics. At the National Archives site is the full listing of other sources. For example, there ...
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Go Beyond What is Official
Jul 5
Working for years on research for a family branch, the Groff family of Frederick, Maryland, I had reviewed numerous times all the US Federal Census records for the Groff family. One was a special puzzle for me in the 1880 census. Here listed, besides the children of Joseph and Susan Groff, was what appeared the name 'Nicholas H. Groff' in the house...
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No More — Occupations of 19th Century Ancestors
Jun 21
It can be fascinating to research especially using census records, obituaries, and city directories, the occupations of our ancestors. As you do the one ancestors working during the 1800s (19th century) it can actually be a challenge figuring out what type of job they were doing. There were regular necessary occupations that are no longer done by a...