Census Surprise
- Leslie Ryan
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
Maybe I'm an April Fool, but I got a Census Surprise this week! What I thought were just personal notes from the Census taker on the 1940 Census are actually valuable information!
See those little circled x's? That's who provided the information! In 1940 it was most often the "Lady of the House."
You, too, may have encountered the problem of conflicting birth states or dates in earlier Censuses. The person answering the survey could have been a neighbor, or someone who knew the family had moved FROM Alabama, but might not know that they were born IN South Carolina.
This marking only appears on the 1940 Census. I was now more curious about the evolution of our Census. Here are some things I learned!
In 1790 the US became the first country to do a regular headcount of its population! Did you know we were the first? Heads are counted every twenty years to make sure that every state has the correct number of representatives for its size in Congress. That first census just asked for the occupation of the named head of household and a headcount of males and females by age group.
Nothing changed until 1820 when the "Occupation" category was further broken down into "agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce, including enslaved people. It also was the first to ask about citizenship and naturalization.
1840 got a bit nosier, with a form containing 80 columns, adding 4 more kinds of job categories, asked about military service, and how many students were getting an education. As many of us know, there are still no names listed other than the Head of Household.
Finally 1850 tells us everyone in the household, their ages and where they were born! This was also the first to show a headcount and not much else for enslaved people, which is on a separate listing called the "Slave Schedule." They are listed by Plantation Owner and by age, sex, and color.
1880 is the Genealogist's Gold Mine! Where the parents were born, what language spoken, plus everything we had before. This has been my favorite Census! How about you? Do you have a favorite?
There have been 24 Censuses taken of the US Population since the first in 1790. Their information is private until they are 72 years old, as at the time, this seemed like the sure age those people would no longer be with us. We are living longer! The most recent one unlocked for public view was the 1950. Only 6 more years to go till the 1960 reveal! I'll be on that one, hope I'm sill around to see it.
Have you made any new discoveries lately? If you'd like a FREE REVIEW of your Genealogy Brick Wall, send me an email. I'll be glad to try to help.
Best regards.
Leslie Ryan
For additional info and some GREAT graphics on the Evolution of the Census:
No compensation is received for any links or referrals herein.
No copyright infringement is intended.
