What the Census Suggests

        I use census records for most of my research.  The most useful are from 1850 to 1950.  A lot of information is available, and some information can be inferred that will require other records to confirm the hypothesis or not.

       So, let’s look at one of my immigrant ancestors – James Stead.  James was born on the 20^th of April 1819 in Ashford, Shropshire, England.  He married Mary Ann Tolson in Yorkshire, England.  They had six children, the two oldest were born in England in 1847 and 1848, with the remaining being born in Seneca Falls, Seneca, New York between 1851 and 1859.  Mary Ann died 21^st of May 1877 in Dundee, Kane, Illinois and James died 21^st of Feb 1882 and is buried in West Dundee, Kane, Illinois.

       1850 Census first listed all in the household giving age, sex, profession, value of real estate owned, place of birth, whether married within the year, attended school within the year, cannot read & write, or if they are deaf and dumb, blind, insane, etc.  My James Stead lived in The Town of Seneca Falls in the County of Seneca State of New York.  The household he was listed with is not family but may have been a boarding house.  His occupation was a moulder and he was born in England and was 30 years old.  This tells me that he immigrated first then sent for his family.  I will need to look for a ship’s passenger list between 1848 and June 1850.

       1860 Census now includes value of personal estate.  So, what does it have for James?  He lives in 4^th Ward Seneca Falls Village in the County of Seneca State of New York.  Now, he lives in a household with family members (assumption).  He is still a moulder and he is age 42. He now has real estate.  That means he owns property.  Mary is 34, a milliner, and was born in England; Elizabeth is 12 and was born in England; William is 8 and was born in New York; Mary Ann is 6 and born in New York, Franses (female) is 4 and born in New York; James is 1 and born in New York.  Another person resides with them by the name of William Tolsen, age 27, a machinist, and born in England.  We can assume that he is Mary’s brother.  This tells me that the rest of the family immigrated between June 1, 1850 and 1852.  Maybe Mary’s brother came with them.  Will need to locate a ship passenger list.  Where is Thomas?  He was born in 1847 so should be with the family.

        So, what can we glean from the 1870 Census.  More information is given – whether parents are of foreign birth; if child was born within the year, which month; if married within the year, which month; and if a US Citizen or if they no longer have the right to vote.  James and his family have moved and are now living in Dundee in the County of Kane, State of Illinois.  Besides Mary and four children, there are ten others living in the residence.  James is 51 and still works as a moulder.  However, he no longer owns real estate.  He is a US Citizen with the right to vote.  His parents as well as Mary’s are foreign born.  Three of the children attended school.  Mary keeps house and the oldest child at home, William, is 18 and works as a moulder.  This census suggests that we need to look for naturalization papers.

       The 1880 Census now adds relationship to the head of household.  Yay! We also learn whether a person is Single, Married, Widowed, or Divorced.  Also new is whether the person has been unemployed.  James is now living with his daughter and son-in-law, Mary & Henry Smith, in Dundee, Kane County, Illinois in an area known as Village of Carpentersville.  He is 61, a widow, and his occupation is a moulder.  It appears he has been unemployed for 8 months.

       So, now I have more research to do based on these Federal census records.

1.  Look for Passenger Lists

2.  Look for Naturalization papers

3.  Look for State Census records

4.  Look for Land records

5.  Look for City Directories