Published: March 10, 2007 11:54 pm            

Genealogy: Woe to the fate of early censuses

A couple of weeks ago, I discussed America’s first census, taken in 1790, and its fate — probably not destroyed in the War of 1812, but actually lost at the local level because there was no centralized storage of the federal censuses until 1830. This same fate also befell other early censuses.

The first census didn’t ask very many questions. This was in part due to the fact that our nation was young and many of the early citizens didn’t trust the new government very much and resented its intrusion into their business. The 1790 census had just six categories in which all people were placed: the name of the head of household; free white males of 16 years and upward, including heads of families; free white males under 16; free white females, including heads of families; all other free persons; and slaves.

The second census of the United States was the 1800 census. This census did expand the number of categories in which the population would be placed: name of head of household, free white males under 10, free white males 10-15, free white males 16-25, free white males 26-45, free white males over 45, free white females under 10, free white females 10-15, free white females 16-25, free white females 26-45, free white females over 45, all others, and slaves.

This census was begun on Aug. 4, 1800, and the census takers had 9 months to complete their counts; so the actual enumeration time lasted through May 4, 1801. The household totals, however, were to reflect the makeup of each household as it had been on Aug. 4, 1800. So if a child had been born after Aug. 4, he/she was not to be counted in the household total. And if a person in the household had died since Aug. 4, he/she was to be included as a household member on Aug. 4. An enumerator coming to a house several months after Aug. 4 had to make sure he asked if anyone in the household had been born or had died since Aug. 4, and would have to adjust his counts accordingly. In addition, the people in each household had to accurately remember the dates of birth and death of other household members. The enumerator was also supposed to include all others who had been in the house on Aug. 4. The 1800 census (like the 1790 census before it), didn’t distinguish between actual family members, employees and laborers, boarders, and visitors to the home.

As in 1790, the 1800 census returns were to be maintained by the Clerk of the U.S. District Court in each state. It wasn’t until 1830 that they were ordered to be shipped to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The 1800 census returns still exist for thirteen states – Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and most of the District of Columbia. The following 1800 census returns have been lost or destroyed: Indiana Territory, Kentucky, Mississippi Territory, New Jersey, Northwest Territory, Virginia, Tennessee, and Alexandria County, District of Columbia.

Query

n Researching the John Griffin and Sarah Ball family in Parke County, Indiana. John was married second to Martha “Patsey” Kilburn. Their children were Hiram O. (married Lucy A. Evans), Lewis B., Margaret Ellen (married Emery McDermith), Elizabeth (married John Kilburn), John (married Alwilda Evans), and Clarissa. I would like to hear from any descendants. Please contact Jo Arcudia, 2865 E. Loren St., Springfield, MO 65804, e-mail mrstommyjo@mchsi.com.

        

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