Use the 1850 U.S. Census Research Guide for detailed ancestry research.
This is an essential guide for researching the 1850 U.S. Census. The 1850 U.S. Census is a list of questions asked to the U.S. Federal Population in 1850. The census captures the moment in time for each person recorded in the 1850 U.S. Census.
Use this guide to learn about and discover the stories of the people who lived during and before the 1850s. With the 1850 U.S. census information, you can, for starters, build individual and family profiles, write narratives, build family trees and find related records to research.
Table of Contents for 1850 U.S. Census Guide
The Essential 1850 U.S. Census Research Guide contains the following sections:
- Additional 1790-1950 U.S. Federal Census Resources
- Details about the 1850 U.S. Census
- How to Search and Use the 1850 U.S. Census Data
- Search the 1850 U.S. Census Schedules
- How 1850 U.S. Census Can Lead to Military Records
- Use the 1850 U.S. Census to Calculate the Birth Year
- What is the 1850 U.S. Federal Census?
- What Can You Find in U.S. Census
- Questions Asked in the 11850 U.S. Census
- Author B. Schreiber’s Introduction to the U.S. Census
Note: All images in this guide reflect life from the 1850s.
Why use the Essential 1850 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners
This guide is based on 1,000s of hours of my first-hand experience in researching the U.S. Censuses for purposes related to writing individuals and family narratives, family history, and genealogy. Writers, family historians, and genealogists can, for example, use this comprehensive research guide to:
- Learn 100’s of census research tips and tricks
- Correctly connect related individuals and family
- Complete and extend ancestral family trees
- Recognize, decipher and use clues from census data
- Build and expand individual family profiles
- Learn about and find other historical records
- Conduct exhaustive background research for writing narratives
- Write compelling individual and family narratives
- Find local, regional, state and national record repositories
Why the Essential 1850 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners was written
I’m Author B. Schreiber, a professional writer and blogger. I first started researching the U.S. Censuses to gain background information for stories and narratives I was writing about individuals and families I was related to.
Researching the U.S. Censuses can be complex and overwhelming
I spend hundreds of hours learning about each census and how to solve my research problems. This 1850 U.S. Census Research Guide is a compilation of what I learned and continue to apply. I am sharing this information because I understand how frustrating U.S. Census research can be. Perhaps this knowledge can help you. See the section: Author B. Schreiber’s Introduction to the U.S. Census.
Additional 1790-1950 U.S. Federal Census Resources
Essential censuses research guides
Click on any of the following years, and you will be taken to that years’ essential census research guide:
Census and historical record research articles
Throughout this U.S. federal census guide, please find links to resources that I have specifically prepared to help you. In addition, I have written and assembled other resources to provide you with a more in-depth understanding of the census research process. I have tried to cover every possible question and angle you are likely to face in your U.S. census research. I would encourage you to use the resources often. The resources include:
- 35 Important U.S. Census Research Tips and Tricks
- Pre-1850 U.S. Census Research Tips for Historians
- Where to find 1850-1940 Censuses Research Clues
- Introduction to 1790-1940 U.S. Censuses Ancestry Research
- How to Use Naming Patterns in Ancestry Research
- 5 Step Ancestry Research Process for Historians
- How to Cite and Verify Ancestry Research
- How to Conduct Detailed Exhaustive Historical Research
- Introduction to Ancestry Research and Historical Records
- 15 Strategies to Find Ancestor Names in Historical Records
- Keep Ancestry Research Focused with These 28 Simple Tips
(Video) Introduction to 1850 U.S. Census Historical Research. The “Introduction to 1850 U.S. Census Historical Research” provides a quick overview of the 1850 U.S. Census and how you can make the most from the 1850 U.S. Census for individual and family historical and narrative research.
For additional videos, see the BeginMyStory YouTube Channel.
Where to find the 1850 U.S. Census online
The following are some standard resources I have consulted:
Details about the 1850 U.S. Census
The following are a few of the details that are important to understand about the 1850 U.S. Federal census:
Number of persons included in the 1850 U.S. Census: 23,191,876 people were enumerated in the United States (35% increase over 1840 census), of whom 3,204,313 were slaves.
1850 U.S. Census day: June 1, 1850
1850 U.S. Census duration: 5 months
1850 U.S. Census geography:
- States and territories enumerated: 31 states and four territories were included in the census.
- New states: The newest states included the in 1850 U.S. Census were Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas and California
- Territories included: Minnesota (inc. Dakotas) , New Mexico (inc. Arizona) , Oregon (inc. Washington & Idaho) , Utah
- The available states include: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia (inc. West Virginia), Wisconsin
- The missing states: All census records survived.
A few essential facts about the 1850 U.S. Census include:
First, to record names
1850 U.S. Census was the first to record the names of every person in a household and an individual’s place of birth. 1790-1840 censuses listed head of the family only.
Two questionnaires
There were two questionnaires, one for free inhabitants and one for slaves.
Census maps
This is the first census where the enumerator (census taker) was given a map (with districts) of the area they were to cover.
Native Americans
Indians that lived on reservations or unsettled tracts of land were not included.
Extra census copies
Enumerators make two extra copies of the original census: 1) one for the county clerk 2) one for the state/territory.
Census schedules
Six schedules were prepared for the 1850 U.S. Census. They included:
- Schedule 1: Free Inhabitants
- Schedule 2: Slave Inhabitants
- Schedule 3: Mortality
- Schedule 4: Production of Agriculture
- Schedule 5: Products of Industry
- Schedule 6: Social Statistics
Freed#men
Freedmen of color were enumerated exactly as a free white person. There were a total of 424,183 freedmen in the 1850 U.S. Census.
How to Search and Use the 1850 U.S. Census Data
Learn how to search and use the data found in the 1850 U.S. Census. In this section of the Essential 1850 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners, you are provided a review of each group of the 1850 U.S. Census questions, including research insights, tips and tricks, and must-know information to aid your research.
- Definition: Column equals the column of the census where the information is recorded for each person.
Table of Contents for Census Questions
The following is a list of the 1850 U.S. Census questions. Each category provides research insights.
- Dwelling Questions (Col. 1-2)
- Name Question (Col. 3)
- Personal Description Questions (Col. 4-6)
- Occupation Question (Col. 7)
- Real Property Question (Col. 8)
- Place of Birth and Marital Questions (Col. 9-10)
- Education Questions (Col. 11-13)
Each of the following categories will provide you what I consider to be some of the essential research insights, tips and tricks, and more for each of the questions.
Dwelling Questions (Col. 1-2)
How can I use the 1860 Census (Col. 1-2) location and dwelling questions in my research?
The 1860 Census questions for columns 1-2
The questions are as follows:
Col. 1: Dwelling house No. (This was the number of houses that were counted.)
Col. 2: Family No. (This was the actual number of families counted.)
Research tips and insights include:
Location and Dwelling number (Col. 1 -2)
We are provided with the district, township and county where the family resides. This can help in defining geographic areas to search for family and records.
Counted in order
The dwelling was the number of houses that were counted.
Search for his#torical and genealogical societies
Search for a historical and genealogical society in the county to learn about the community; records developed when individuals lived in the area, connect with other genealogists researching the same surname, groups (i.e., church) to which your family belonged.
Use the location
Use the location to look for resources such as churches, cemeteries, courthouses.
Use the location# to find modern-day repositories
Use the location to identify modern-day record repositories that are near the place your family lived (e.g., historical societies, genealogical societies, libraries, archives, courthouses.)
Name Question (Col. 3)
How can I use the 1860 Census (Col. 3) name question in my research?
The 1860 Census question for column 3
The question is as follows:
Col. 3: Name of every person whose usual place of abode on June 1, 1860, was in this family
Research tips and insights include:
Composition of the family (Col. 3)
Provides members of the household by name.
Individual names
Individual names for those in the household.
Important enumerator instructions
The enumerator was given the following instructions: “The names are to be written, beginning with the father and mother; or if either, or both, be dead, begin with some other ostensible head of the family; to be followed, as far as practicable, with the name of the oldest child residing at home, then the next oldest, and so on to the youngest, then the other inmates, lodgers and borders, laborers, domestics, and servants.”
Relationships not provided
You will need to use other records to help make associations. Do not make assumptions about the relationships.
Children born after June 1, 1860
Children were not included who were born after June 1, 1860.
Migration during the 1860s
Special note about families during the 1860s. Migration during the war resulted from people moving to live with family/relatives because it was safer and far from the front lines, a place to live because there was no male to farm the land/farms were destroyed, and some even followed their husbands from war zone to war zone. It was common for families to send their daughter to live with another family, while married women tried to manage farms. If a woman lost her husband during the war, it was common to move back home with their father and mother. Because of the death of many spouses during the 1860s, you will want to be on the lookout for remarriages between 1860-1870 censuses. You might pick this up in the state census. In the 1870 census, I have made it a practice to search all families directly and related lines (e.g., siblings, aunts/uncles, friends, and neighbors) to reconnect families separated by the war.
Searching lost families
Essential clues for searching lost families that you can’t find in the 1870 census:
- See where the individual was born. Look at the 1860 census to see where the family was born. This will be an excellent place to start your search since many families (mother and children) moved back home to be with mom and dad or grandfather and grandmother.
- Search female name and age. Searching on the female name and age rather than the known husband’s first and last name.
- Remarriage. Remember, if her husband died and the woman remarried, she will have a different last name. Start your search in the county where they resided before the war. Search every line of the census in that area.
Search for guardianship records
Make sure you also search court records for guardianship papers. If a father and husband were killed and the woman didn’t remarry, guardianship papers would most likely be filed, including notes on remarriage and moves.
Courthouses burned
Many courthouses were burned during the Civil War losing forever many records. This makes the census records even more valuable for this period. Word of caution, if you hear that the courthouse where an individual lived was burned, you still need to check to see if records survive. I have on two occasions found that an individuals’ records were among the few that were saved.
Follow fam#ily through the census
Make it a priority to follow your family through censuses during their lifetime (e.g., federal, state, territorial, and local censuses) as well as census schedules if they exist (e.g., population, agriculture, manufacturing, social statistics, crime, mortality, veterans, slave.)
Check original census
Always seek to see the images of the original census to compare against the transcription.
Search for t#he same surname
Look closely at persons with the same surname. Could they be a relative? Does the individual show up as a child in the earlier census? Search other records such as deeds, wills to see if the person shows up. Could individuals be in-laws? Check marriages of the county for husbands of sisters, aunts, and mothers.
Research all persons in the household
It will not be uncommon to find individuals living in the same household with different surnames (last names). As a practice, research all persons living in the household with groups/family or in the home of siblings. There is usually a family connection. I have found it essential to search for the surname several pages before and after the page where you find your family. This can also help in suggesting relationships between neighbors. Look for added clues such as given first names, occupations, places of origin. When I contact genealogical/historical societies, I have often sought to find genealogists researching these surnames to compare research.
Extract all with the same surname
Make it a practice to extract all the persons with the same surname living in the same county. Are they family? They could be a family connection or related connection, such as where they came from. If your family lives near a state our county border, go ahead and extract the persons with the same surnames from neighboring counties. I have usually found important clues and connections among those with the same surname to enhance my research.
Personal Description Questions (Col. 4-6)
How can I use the 1860 Census (Col. 4-6) personal description questions in my research?
The 1860 Census questions for columns 4-6
The questions are as follows:
Col. 4: Age
Col. 5: Sex
Col. 6: Color
-
- White (This column was left blank if the person was white.)
- Black (B)
- Mulatto (M)
Research tips and insights include:
Age (Col. 4)
This is not the exact date of birth, but it will provide a “ballpark” number that you can use the help you track the person in the next census and search for birth event records of the period.
Search other records
Few states during this period had vital records, but there are good chances that you may be able to look for church records. Start your search for these types of records at the genealogical/historical society.
Age groupings pre-1850 U.S. Census
Use the age groupings from the 1840 and 1860 census as confirmation markers that you have the right family.
Age gaps
Look at age gaps between children. Is the age cap typical? For example, every two years. Are the age gaps more significant than expected? This could be a clue that there was another child or spouse that had passed away. Look at the age of husband and wife. Are they about the same age? Is one spouse much older than the other? If yes, this could be a clue that there is a second marriage. Look at the ages of children and the place of birth. This might provide clues of where the parents were married or from where the family migrated.
Occupation Question (Col. 7)
How can I use the 1860 Census (Col. 7) occupation question in my research?
The 1860 Census question for columns 7
The question is as follows:
Col. 7: Profession, Occupation, or Trade of each male person over 15 years of age
Research tips and insights include:
Occupation (Col. 7)
The occupation was provided for male members over age 15. This indicates the person’s occupation and related information can help one search for employment records. Look carefully at the person’s occupation/trade and define what types of records might exist. I had an individual who was a merchant, which led me to look for a business license, business/professional directory, ads for his business in the newspaper and related documents, all of which I found. Another genealogist had an ancestor who was a member of the clergy, leading them to search and find church records. If the person was a farmer, make sure you look at Schedule 4, “Agricultural Census,” for more information about the family.
Real Property Question (Col. 8)
How can I use the 1860 Census (Col. 8) real property questions in my research?
The 1860 Census question for columns 8
The questions are as follows:
Col. 8: Value of Real Estate owned
Research tips and insights include:
Value of real estate (Col. 8)
This will help identify records you can locate at the county recorder’s office or equivalent agency for deeds, mortgages, and property tax records
Value of personal estates
Take note that this was the first time “value of personal estates” was asked. There is evidence that when this question was asked that people may have hesitated to provide the exact answer because of the fear that they would be taxed based on the answer provided.
Courthouse records
If an individual lived in the South during 1860, make sure you check court records carefully. Many court battles exist to reclaim the land that was confiscated during the war. There is a good chance you will find where the family resides if they move away and fight to get their property back.
Slaveowner
If a person were a slave owner, you would see a difference in the value he places on personal property because slaves were considered personal property. If you see this, make sure you check the court records regarding freed slaves.
Place of Birth and Marital Questions (Col. 9-10)
How can I use the 1860 Census (Col. 9-10) place of birth and marital questions in my research?
The 1860 Census questions for columns 9-10
The questions are as follows:
Col. 9: Place of birth (If the person was born in the United States, the enumerator entered the state where they were born. If they were born outside the United States, the enumerator would enter the native country.)
Col. 10: Married within the year (i.e., June 2, 1849, to June 1, 1850)
Research tips and insights include:
Place of birth (Col. 9)
If the person was born in the United States, the enumerator entered the state where they were born. If they were born outside the United States, the enumerator would enter the native country. If the person was born within the state they were being enumerated, the census taker might include the county or township. For the specific country of birth (i.e., Great Britain, Germany), the enumerator was more specific: Great Britain: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Germany: Baden, Prussia, Bavaria, Wurttemberg, Hessen-Darmstadt.
Narrow search
Use this information to narrow your search for records to the geographic area, even town. Also very helpful with clues to immigration and migration.
Marital Status (Col. 10)
This denotes if the individual was married within the year (i.e., June 2, 1859, to June 1, 1860.) It will provide clues for looking for marriage event records of the period. Because the person could have been married during that year, make it a practice to also look for school records for the individuals.
Education Questions (Col. 11-13)
How can I use the 1860 Census (Col. 11-13) education questions in my research?
The 1860 Census questions for columns 11-13
The questions are as follows:
Col. 11: Attended School within the year (i.e., June 2, 1859, to June 1, 1860)
Col. 12: Persons Over 20 who cannot read & write
Col. 13: Whether deaf & dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict
Research tips and insights include:
Education (Col. 11)
This identifies if the person had gone to school within the year (i.e., June 2, 1859, to June 1, 1860.) This will provide clues to look for school records that can associate children with parents. Look for records such as school census.
Read and write (Col. 12)
Use this information to confirm that you have the right person when searching other records. For example, you are searching wills of individuals with the same name as the person you are searching for. The census records said that an individual could read and write. You find the wills of two persons with the same name. One marked his will with an X; the other signed his name on the will. The person using the X most likely couldn’t read or write. Since you are looking for someone who could read and write, the X should raise caution flags that this person may not be the person you are looking for.
Whether deaf & dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict (Col. 13)
Do not overlook this category. Insane could lead to institutional and guardianship records; convicts could lead you to find court and jail records.
[Return to Questions TOC]
[Return to Guide TOC]
Search the 1850 U.S. Census Schedules
The 1850 U.S. Census included the population and several other schedules taken usually at the same time. There are online and in print resources that provide more detail on these schedules and how to use them in genealogy research. I always suggest that you check these schedules. They include:
(Video) Introduction to U.S. Census Special Enumeration Schedules. An overview of the special enumeration schedules that are found in the U.S. Censuses. Learn about the mortality, agricultural, veterans, slave, and Indian special enumerations.
Slaves Schedule
Shows slave owners and the number of slaves they owned. Slave schedules play a significant role in identifying the person who owned the slaves.
Slave schedules exist
Slave schedules exist for Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. This schedule includes:
- Name of a slave owner
- Number of slaves owned (Each owner’s slave was assigned a number versus a name. Numbering restarted with each new owner. name of a slave is not provided.)
- Number of slaves manumitted (released from slavery) (The number of slaves freed from bondage in the past year.)
- Age
- Color
- Sex
- Fugitive from the state? (The number of uncaught escaped slaves in the past year.)
- Deaf-mute, blind, insane, idiotic?
Slaveowner
Use the name of the slave owner to look for probate and tax records for the possible identity of specific individuals.
Age of slaves
Use the age of the slaves to determine the birth order in families, especially when you have the names and sex of the family members.
Finding families
Finding African American families when they changed surnames. Between 1865 and 1875, I have found that it was common for African American families to choose a different surname. If you suspect this happened to your family, try searching on the first name and ages to locate the family or searching on the neighbor’s surnames.
Industry/Manufacturing Schedule
Provides information on businesses and industries for the year (i.e., June 2, 1849, to June 1, 1850). Manufactures that were household-based were not included. The information collected focused on the industry’s products such as mining, fisheries, mercantile, commercial and trading businesses.
Mortality Schedule
Provides information about persons who died during the twelve months before the census (i.e., June 2, 1849, to June 1, 1850). It collected the following information: name, age, sex, color, place of birth, marital status, profession, occupation/trade, the month of death, disease or cause of death, number of days ill and remarks. Mortality schedules exist for Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
(Video) 1850-1860 U.S. Census Mortality Schedules Overview. An overview of what types of information you will find in the U.S. Census Mortality Schedules. Learn about the mortality schedules and view the 1850 to 1880 schedule questions.
Agricultural Schedule
Provides data on farms and the names of the farmers for the year (i.e., June 2, 1849, to June 1, 1850). Farm information focused on agricultural production
(Video) 1850-1885 U.S. Census Agriculture Schedules Overview. An overview of what types of information you will find in the U.S. Census Agriculture Schedules. Learn about the agriculture schedules and view the 1850 to 1880 schedule questions.
Social Statistics Schedule
Includes information about the following topics: valuation of real estate; annual taxes; colleges, academies, and schools; seasons and crops; libraries; newspapers and periodicals; religion; pauperism; crime; and wages.
How 1850 U.S. Census Can Lead to Military Records
Even though there is no information in the 1850 U.S. Census identifying veterans of war, there are still men living who served in one or more military wars and conflicts. The records available for these veterans vary but can yield important clues and knowledge about the individual and their family. For example:
- Pension applications. Search for pension applications and records of pension payments for veterans, their widows, and other heirs. The pension applications usually provide the most information. They can include supporting documents such as marriage, birth, and death records/certificates, pages from family Bibles, family letters, dispositions of witnesses, affidavits, discharge papers and other supporting documents. Even if your ancestor did not receive a pension, see if his pension request was denied.
- Bounty lands. Bounty land applications also are related to wartime service. The federal government provided bounty land for those who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Indian wars between 1775 and 1855. Bounty lands were offered as an incentive to serve and as a reward for service. Veterans or their heirs claimed bounty land.
Search for these military records:
Revolutionary War 1776-1783
Look for military records of men serving in the Revolutionary War between the ages of 80 and 90+ in the 1850 U.S. Census. These men would have been born before 1770.
War of 1812 (1812-1814)
Look for military records of men serving in the War of 1812 between the ages of 51 and 90+ in the 1850 U.S. Census These men would have been born before 1799.
Early Indian Wars 1815-1858
Look for military records of men serving in the Early Indian Wars between the ages of 15 and 90 in the 1850 U.S. Census. These men would have been born before 1835.
Mexican War 1846-1848
Look for military records of men serving in the Mexican Wars between the ages of 17-65 in the 1850 U.S. Census. These men would have been born before 1832.
Civil War 1861-1865
Look for military records of men who would be serving in the U.S. Civil War between the ages of 0 and 50 in the 1850 U.S. Census. These men would have been born prior in 1850 and earlier. Keep in mind that many young men lied about their age and served with their father, brother (s), or other family members. If your ancestor lived in the Union or Confederate states that they served in their army. Many men who were in the Union served in the Confederacy. And many men from the South served in the Union Army. Make sure that you search for all male family members (i.e., father, sons, brothers, uncles, and nephews.) The Civil War enlistment card will give you clues of your ancestors’ location and place of residence. See the article: How to Find Civil War Soldier Records for Writing Narratives
Later Indian Wars (Before 1890)
Look for military records of men serving in the later Ind
Researching military headstones
Military headstones have evolved through time. See the following articles for details: Meaning of Each Religious Emblem of Belief for U.S. Military Headstones
(Video) Introduction to U.S. Military Headstones. An introduction to U.S. military headstones provides an understanding of the design, history, symbolism, and individual and family research.
Use the 1850 U.S. Census to Calculate the Birth Year
In Column 4 of the 1850 US Population Census, learn the age of each household member. The following 1850 U.S. Census Birth Year Reference Chart will provide the approximate corresponding birth year for the age provided. For more information, see the following article: How to Use the Census to Calculate the Birth Year
Age calculated as of June 1, 1850.
| 1850 U.S. Census Birth Year Reference Chart | |||||
| Age | Birth Year | Age | Birth Year | Age | Birth Year |
| May 0/12 | 1850 | 28 | 1822 | 67 | 1783 |
| Apr 1/12 | 1850 | 29 | 1821 | 68 | 1782 |
| Mar 2/12 | 1850 | 30 | 1820 | 69 | 1781 |
| Feb 3/12 | 1850 | 31 | 1819 | 70 | 1780 |
| Jan 4/12 | 1850 | 32 | 1818 | 71 | 1779 |
| Dec 5/12 | 1849 | 33 | 1817 | 72 | 1778 |
| Nov 6/12 | 1849 | 34 | 1816 | 73 | 1777 |
| Oct 7/12 | 1849 | 35 | 1815 | 74 | 1776 |
| Sep 8/12 | 1849 | 36 | 1814 | 75 | 1775 |
| Aug 9/12 | 1849 | 37 | 1813 | 76 | 1774 |
| Jul 10/12 | 1849 | 38 | 1812 | 77 | 1773 |
| Jun 11/12 | 1849 | 39 | 1811 | 78 | 1772 |
| 1 | 1849 | 40 | 1810 | 79 | 1771 |
| 2 | 1848 | 41 | 1809 | 80 | 1770 |
| 3 | 1847 | 42 | 1808 | 81 | 1769 |
| 4 | 1846 | 43 | 1807 | 82 | 1768 |
| 5 | 1845 | 44 | 1806 | 83 | 1767 |
| 6 | 1844 | 45 | 1805 | 84 | 1766 |
| 7 | 1843 | 46 | 1804 | 85 | 1765 |
| 8 | 1842 | 47 | 1803 | 86 | 1764 |
| 9 | 1841 | 48 | 1802 | 87 | 1763 |
| 10 | 1840 | 49 | 1801 | 88 | 1762 |
| 11 | 1839 | 50 | 1800 | 89 | 1761 |
| 12 | 1838 | 51 | 1799 | 90 | 1760 |
| 13 | 1837 | 52 | 1798 | 91 | 1759 |
| 14 | 1836 | 53 | 1797 | 92 | 1758 |
| 15 | 1835 | 54 | 1796 | 93 | 1757 |
| 16 | 1834 | 55 | 1795 | 94 | 1756 |
| 17 | 1833 | 56 | 1794 | 95 | 1755 |
| 18 | 1832 | 57 | 1793 | 96 | 1754 |
| 19 | 1831 | 58 | 1792 | 97 | 1753 |
| 20 | 1830 | 59 | 1791 | 98 | 1752 |
| 21 | 1829 | 60 | 1790 | 99 | 1751 |
| 22 | 1828 | 61 | 1789 | 100 | 1750 |
| 23 | 1827 | 62 | 1788 | 101 | 1749 |
| 24 | 1826 | 63 | 1787 | 102 | 1748 |
| 25 | 1825 | 64 | 1786 | 103 | 1747 |
| 26 | 1824 | 65 | 1785 | 104 | 1746 |
| 27 | 1823 | 66 | 1784 | 105 | 1745 |
Census taker instructions for age on 1850 U.S. Census. The following are the exact instructions given to the census taker (enumerator):
4. Under heading 4, entitled “Age,” insert in figures what was the specific age of each person at his or her last birthday previous to the 1st of June, opposite the name of such person. If the exact age in years can not be ascertained, insert a number which shall be the nearest approximation to it.
The age, either exact or estimated, is to be inserted.
If the person be a child under 1-year-old, the entry is to be made by the fractional parts of a year, thus: one month, one-twelfth; two months, two-twelfths; three months, three-twelfths, and so on to eleven months, eleven-twelfths.
What is the 1850 U.S. Federal Census?
A census is a government-sponsored enumeration of the population in a particular area. It contains a variety of information — names, heads of household (or all household members), ages, citizenship status, ethnic background, and so on. Here are some different types of census records you are likely to come across in your research.
U.S. federal census is also called a population schedule. Federal census records provide the building blocks of your research, allowing you to confirm the information and learn more. Compiled in the United States for every decade since 1790, census population schedules are comprehensive, detailed records of the federal government’s decennial survey of American households. The federal government uses information from the schedules for demographic analysis.
The schedules themselves, of interest primarily to genealogists, contain the personal information of the survey respondents. To protect the people’s privacy whose names appear in each schedule, census records are restricted for 72 years after the census is taken and are not available to researchers during that time.
What Can You Find in U.S. Census
Use the 1850 U.S. Census Guide to learn about and discover the stories of the people who lived during and before the 1850s. With the 1850 U.S. census information, you can, for starters, build individual and family profiles, write narratives, build family trees and find related records to research. For example, you can use the census to:
- Identify head of household
- Identify members of the household by name
- Identify ages of individuals by name
- Begin to establish family relationships (e.g., spouse, children, siblings, parents)
- Begin to identify possible remarriages and step relationships
- Locate and identify birthplaces
- Identify occupations
- Locate and identify real estate
- Find information in various schedules that include: Population, slave, agriculture, industry and mortality
- Locate and identify a family who are neighbors
- Identify spelling variations
- Locate and identify a family in other census substitute records (e.g., probate inventories, tax lists)
- Locate and identify children not yet known
- Locate and identify possible parents
- Locate and identify possible children not listed in later censuses
- Differentiate between families of the same name
- Locate and identify possible neighbors who might be family
- Identify slaves in age groups by owner
- As a good reference point before I begin to search the family in the pre-1850 censuses
Questions Asked in the 1850 U.S. Census
The following are the questions found on the 1850 U.S. federal census:
LOCATION
Col. 1: Dwelling No. in the order of visitation
Col. 2: Family No. (This was the actual number of families counted.)
NAME
Col. 3: Name of every person whose usual place of abode on June 1, 1850, was in this family
PERSONAL DESCRIPTION
Col. 4: Age
Col. 5: Sex
Col. 6: Color
- White (This column was left blank if the person was white.)
- Black (B)
- Mulatto (M)
OCCUPATION
Col. 7: Profession, Occupation, or Trade of each male person over 15 years of age
REAL PROPERTY
Col. 8: Value of Real Estate owned
PLACE OF BIRTH
Col. 10: Place of birth (If the persons was born in the United States, the enumerator was to enter the state where they were born. If they were born outside the United States, they the enumerator would enter the native country.)
Col. 11: Married within the year (i.e., June 2, 1849 to June 1, 1850)
EDUCATION
Col. 11: Attended School within the year (i.e., June 2, 1849 to June 1, 1850)
Col. 12: Over 20 who cannot read & write
Col. 13: Whether deaf & dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict
Author B. Schreiber’s Introduction to the U.S. Census
I first used the U.S. census to help find and discover the past of my step-father, John. I was interested in writing a personal narrative about his life. I wanted to answer questions like.
- Where was he born?
- Who was his family?
- What was his family story?
- What was it like during different periods of his life?
- Are there any family records (e.g., birth, marriage, school, death, etc.) that exist?
- Are there any photos, journals, letters, memorabilia about the individual or family?
- Are there living families or descendants that I can interview or help tell the story?
I did not have much information. I knew where he was buried. He was born in either the 1920s/1930s. He was born in one of four states, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania. John had been married to my mother for about 5 years. After their divorce, my mother lost track of him until she received a call from the police department one day asking if she knew John. John’s body had been left in a hospital’s emergency room parking lot without any personal identification. His body was taken to a local morgue, where he remained for four months until he was identified by my mother. My mother then took steps to have John’s remains buried in a nearby cemetery with a military headstone.
I shared the story with a friend of mine who was a genealogist/family historian. She asked me if I had ever thought of looking in the U.S. Census. I responded with the answer of no and questioned her about how the c
She invited me to join her at a local library, where over the next couple of hours, she began to show me the census of the 1940s, 1930s, and 1920s. Within a couple of hours, she helped me find John and his related family in and around Jersey City, New Jersey. From those humble beginnings, I used the census as a steppingstone to finding records, locating living members of John’s family, and so much more.
In short, John was born in the late 1920s in Jersey City. Growing up, he became a bookie for the mob when he was in his early 20s. When he was caught stealing from the mob, the mob put out a contract on his life.
Desperately needing help, John went to his brother, a captain for the local police department, for safety. His brother was able to work directly with the mob to negotiate for Johns’s life. John was required to pay the money back with interest and leave town, never to return. He was a soldier in WWII and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. When he met my mom, he was a dispatcher for a taxicab company.
From that first experience, I spent 1000s hours learning how to use the U.S. 1940-1790 Censuses as a primary resource for my narrative and background research about individuals, families, and character development.
