Category: 1850 Census

1840 Federal Census 1850 Census Census

1790 – 1850 Census

James L. Douthat

The taking of census is nothing new and certainly the United States did not invent the event. We can read in the Bible that the Hebrew children gathered under the sign of their tribe to be counted. Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem “as he was of the house of David” to be counted. Since that time, census have been taken so that leaders of the kingdom knew the number of people they had at their command, especially for men who were of fighting age. So it is natural that the…

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1850 Census

1850 Census Revisited

James L. Douthat

Almost everyone at one time or another has to go to the 1850 Census. This can be a real step forward in your research or a step backwards. This is the first of the U. S. Census that gives the name of head of the household. Here you get the other persons living in the household at the time of the census and other information heretofore unknown. Let’s take a closer look at the columns in this census with their information as well as misinformation. Now the first real column…

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1850 Census Family History Genealogy

Using the 1850 Census in your Genealogy Research

James L. Douthat

In your research, one of the primary sources everyone must consult at one time or another is the Census. The Census was a process of counting individuals in the United States that Congress authorized to be done every ten years beginning in 1790. From the first Census in 1790 up through 1840, only the names of the heads of households were used. Therefore, starting in 1850, we find other names of those living in the household as well. For many, this is the real start of their search. Let us…

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