BURIAL DATABASE PROJECT

 FGS Radio: Vanishing History - Burial Database Project of Enslaved African Americans

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2013/03/16/vanishing-history-burial-database-of-enslaved-africans

Saturday, March 16, 2013
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Vanishing History: Burial Database Project of Enslaved African Americans. Our first guest this week will be Sandra Arnold, founder and principal developer of the Burial Database Project of Enslaved African Americans. The mission of the project, currently housed in the Department of African and African American Studies at Fordham University in New York City, is to identify, document and memorialize burial sites of the enslaved, most of which are abandoned or undocumented. We will also be kicking off our series on FGS 2013 Conference featured speakers by having a conversation with J. Mark Lowe. And we'll feature FGS member society the Hamilton County (Ohio) Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight segment.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community. 

1940 U.S. CENSUS PROJECT HALFWAY COMPLETE

The halfway point for indexing the 1940 U.S. census is fast approaching. 

Congratulations and thank you to all of the volunteers participating in this unprecedented genealogical community effort. Currently more than 20 states are at or above 85 percent complete. Six states—Delaware, Colorado, Kansas, Oregon, Virginia, and New Hampshire—are now indexed and searchable by name, location, and family relations. And thanks to the efforts of more than 100,000 volunteers, more states will be added in the coming weeks. Follow the day-to-day indexing status at the1940census.com dashboard and search completed states at familysearch.org/1940census.

Recently Completed Projects

Note: Recently completed projects have been removed from the available online indexing batches and will now go through a final completion check process. They will be published at familysearch.org in the near future. 

•  U.S., Indiana—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Nevada—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Texas—Deaths, 1890–1976 [Part B]
• U.S., Wyoming—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Alaska—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Arizona—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Florida—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Texas—County Marriages 1837–1977 [Part C]
• U.S., Idaho—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Vermont—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Montana—1940 Federal Census
• U.S., Veterans Pension Cards, 1907–1933 [Part A]
• U.S., Mississippi—1940 Federal Census
• Canada, Ontario—Marriages, 1869–1927 [Part B]

UPDATE ON 1940 CENSUS

Genealogists are rightly excited about the 1940 census being released. It is available to everyone through the web site of the National Archives and Records Administration:

http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/ . 

Unfortunately, the name index is a work in progress. You can see how much of your state has been done on the web site: www.familysearch.org/1940census . You go to the appropriate county and state, and then search the enumeration districts. The latter usually has some form of index by street. City directories, if available, can be a big help but it can be a slow process. 

Efforts are being made to create a name index and, so far, the District of Columbia and Nevada have been done. (In 1940, even Cullman County had more people than the entire state of Nevada.) The 1940 census never had a soundex index.  The federal census has been compiled roughly every ten years since 1790 for determining the population for purposes of apportioning the members of Congress. In 1885, a census was taken for the few states willing to help pay for it, such as Florida , to reflect their growth in population. The 1920 census was taken but was ignored by the then Republican Congress and President because it would have given the Democrats new districts as Americans were moving from the country to the cities in greater numbers). 

Some of the census records, such as for Alabama in 1820, have been lost from before 1830. State censuses, tax lists, federal land records, voter records etc. can sometimes supplement or substitute for federal census records. The censuses for 1790 through 1840 are only lists of heads of households with statistical descriptions of each household, including counting members of the household who are older than the head of the household and people living in the household who are not family members. Indians were usually excluded from the censuses before 1870.   Censuses began listing each free person starting in 1850. When a census is 72 years old, it is opened to the general public although anyone can purchase a copy of any federal census record where the person appears, even for 2010.

The census is intended to reflect the population of the United States on a specific day of the year. For 1940, it was April 1. On that day, the census takers began going door to door asking questions of people at home and, for those people not at home, of neighbors. It took weeks and weeks to compile the census and sometimes the information more accurately reflects the household on the day that the census taker visited than on April 1, 1940. If the person being interviewed was a member of the household, that fact is indicated on the census.

Aside from the usual questions about age, race, sex, place of birth, marital status, occupation etc., the 1940 census reflected the Great Depression and President Roosevelt’s New Deal. Special questions were asked about employment status, income, residence in 1935, participation in government work programs, military service etc. Five percent of the families had a longer supplemental questionnaire to provide the government with statistical data. 

Bob Davis

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE 1940 CENSUS BE SEARCHABLE

It’s finally here!

After 72 years, the 1940 US census has been released by the National Archives and Records Administration. FamilySearch is working feverishly to get the indexing projects ready. Everything is going according to plan at this point.

You can watch the list of current projects on the FamilySearch indexing website to see which states are available to index at any given time. The 1940 US Census Community Project Facebook page will also post updates as to when states are ready to be indexed.

Maintaining the Indexing System

We significantly improved the indexing system to better accommodate a huge increase in volunteers for the 1940 US census. If the system starts to run slowly, some projects (other than the census) might be removed temporarily. Once the system is stable again, we'll start returning these projects.

As per our earlier message, we strongly encourage you to consider the following guidelines to ensure the system is able to handle the load and everyone gets the opportunity to start indexing the 1940 US Census in a timely fashion.

• Take your time getting started.
• Avoid peak usage times (Saturday evening through Monday evening).
• Only download as much work as you think you’ll do in an hour or two.
• Work offline.

Browse the Images Now

While waiting for the indexing project for your favorite state, you can browse the free images now on Archives, FindMyPast, FamilySearch, or the National Archives site at 1940census.archives.gov.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience. We look forward to great progress in the coming weeks.

The FamilySearch Indexing Team

1940 CENSUS RELEASED TODAY

THE 1940 CENSUS IMAGES ARE NOW RELEASED! On April 2, 2012,NARA released the digital images of the 1940 Unites States Federal Census after a 72 year embargo. These census images will be uploaded and made available on Archives.com,FindMyPast.com, and FamilySearch.org.

RICH AND UNIQUE INFORMATION

The 1940 census included several standard questions, such as: name, age, gender, race, education, and place of birth. But the census also introduced some new questions. One example is that the enumerator was instructed to mark (with a circled x) who in the household responded to the census questions. Other questions included whether the person worked for the CCC, WPA, or NYA the week of March 24-30, 1940, and the income for the 12 months ending December 31, 1939.

New, interesting questions were asked:

• Where people lived 5 years before
• Highest educational grade achieved
• Detailed income and occupation

Read detailed enumerator instructions

As part of the census, 5% of respondents (two names per page) were asked supplemental questions, which included the place of birth of the person’s father and mother, the respondent’s usual occupation (not just for the week of March 24-30), and questions related to marriage for all women who were or had been married. The enumerators asked women if they had been married more than once, the age at first marriage, and the total number of children to whom they had ever given birth.

WHAT IS IN THE CENSUS?

United States Federal Census

1790
The first census taken in 1790 included the following states:
Connecticut, Maine (part of Massachusetts), Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Vermont.
The census was burned for the following states during the War of 1812:
Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee and Virginia.

Information found in the 1790 census is as follows:
Columns - left to right
1.  Head of Family.
2.  Free White Males 16 & Up including heads of families.
3.  Free White Males Under 16.
4.  Free White Females including heads of family.
5.  All other free persons except Indians not taxed..
6.  Slaves.

1800
The 1800 census included the new city of the District of Columbia.  The census for the following states was destroyed:
Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee and Virginia.

The 1800 census contains the following information:
Columns - left to right
1.  Head of Family.
2.  Free White Males Under age 10.
3.  Free White Males age 10 – 16.
4.  Free White Males age 16 – 26.
5.  Free White Males age 26 – 45.
6.  Free White Males 45 and over.
7. Free White Females under 10.
8.  Free White Females 10 – 16.
9.  Free White Females 16 – 26.
10.  Free White Females 26 – 45.
11.  Free White Females 45 and over.
12.  All others free persons.
13.  Slaves.








1810
The census taken in 1810 included one new state:  Louisiana
 States with no 1810 census (lost or destroyed): District of Columbia, Georgia, New Jersey.
The information in the 1810 and 1800 census are the same.

1820
The census taken in 1820 included these new states:  Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi and Ohio.

The 1820 Census contains the following information:
Columns – left to right
1.  Head of Family.
2.  Free White Males under 10.
3.  Free White Males 10 – 16.
4.  Free White Males 16 – 18.
5.  Free White Males 16 – 26.
6.  Free White Males 26 – 45.
7.  Free White Males 45 and up.
8.  Free White Females under 10.
9.  Free White Females 10 – 16.
10.  Free White Females 16 – 26.
11.  Free White Females 26 – 45.
12.  Free White Females 45 and over.
13.  Foreigners not naturalized.
14.  Number of persons engaged in agriculture.
15.  Number of persons engaged in commerce.
16.  Number of persons engaged in manufactures.
17.  Slaves – males under 14.
18.  Slaves – males over 14 - 26.
19.  Slaves – males over 26 - 45.
21.  Slaves – females 45 and upwards.
22.  Free colored persons – males under 14.
23.  Free colored person – males 14 – 26.
24.  Free colored persons – males 26 – 45.
25.  Free colored persons – males 45 and upwards.
26.  Free colored persons – females under 14.
27.  Free colored persons – females 14 – 26.
28.  Free colored persons – females 26 – 45.
29.  Free colored persons – females 45 and upwards.
30.  All other persons except Indians not taxed.





1830
The 1830 census included four new states:  Alabama, Arkansas Territory, Florida and Missouri.

The 1830 census contains the following information:
Columns - left to right
1.  Head of Family.
2.  Free White Males under age 5.
3.  Free White Males 5 – 10.
4.  Free White Males 10 – 15.
5.  Free White Males 15 – 20.
6.  Free White Males 20 – 30.
7.  Free White Males 30 – 40.
8.  Free White Males 40 – 50.
9.  Free White Males 50 – 60.
10.  Free White Males 60 – 70.
11.  Free White Males 70—80.
12.  Free White Males 80 – 90.
13.  Free White Males 90 – 100.
14.  Free White Males 100 and over.
15.  Free White Females under age 5.
16.  Free White Females 5 – 10.
17.  Free White Females 10 – 15.
18.  Free White Females 15 – 20.
19.  Free White Females 20 – 30.
20.  Free White Females 30 – 40.
21.  Free White Females 40 – 50.
22.  Free White Females 50 – 60.
23.  Free White Females 60 – 70.
24.  Free White Females 70 – 80.
25.  Free White Females 80 – 90.
26.  Free White Females 90 – 100.
27.  Free White Females 100 and over.
There is a slave schedule and information on persons who are handicapped.  Not every state used this information.











1840
The 1840 census included two new states:  Iowa Territory and Wisconsin Territory.

Information contained in the 1840 census is the same as the 1830 census until column 28.
Column - left to right
28.  Free Colored Males under 10.
29.  Free Colored Males 10 – 24.
30.  Free Colored Males 24 – 36.
31.  Free Colored Males 36 – 55.
32.  Free Colored Males 55 – 100.
33.  Free Colored Males 100 and over.
34.  Free Colored Females under 10.
35.  Free Colored Females 10 – 24.
36.  Free Colored Females 24 – 36.
37.  Free Colored Females 36 – 55.
38.  Free Colored Females 55 – 100.
39.  Free Colored Females 100 and over.

1850
The 1850 census included these new states: California, Minnesota Territory, New Mexico Territory, Oregon Territory, Texas Territory, and Utah Territory.

The 1850 census contains the following information:
Columns - left to right
1.  Dwelling houses numbered in the order of visitation.
2.  Families numbered in the order of visitation.
3.  The name of every person whose usual place of abode on the first day of June, 1850, was in this family.
4.  Age.
5.  Sex.
6.  Color – White, Black or Mulatto.
7.  Profession, occupation or trade of each male person over 15 years of age.
8.  Value of real estate owned.
9.  Place of birth, naming state, territory or country.
10.  Married within the year.
11.  Attended school within the year.
12.  Persons over 20 years of age who cannot read or write.
13.  Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic, or convict.








1860
The 1860 census included these new states:   Dakota Territory, Kansas, Nebraska Territory, Washington.

The information in the 1860 census is the same as the 1850 census, except for the real estate section which is divided 2 parts:
8.  Value of real estate.
9.   Value of personal estate.

1870
The 1870 census included these new states:  Arizona Territory, Colorado Territory, Idaho Territory, Montana Territory, Nevada, West Virginia, and Wyoming Territory.

The 1870 census contains the following information:
Columns - left to right
1.  Dwelling houses numbered in the order of visitation.
2.  Families numbered in the order of visitation.
3.  The name of every person whose place of abode on the first day of June, 1870, was in this family.
4.  Age.
5.  Sex.
6.  Color – White, Black, Mulatto.
7.  Profession, occupation or trade of each person, male or female.
8.  Value of real estate.
9.  Value of personal estate.
10.  Place of birth, naming state or territory of U.S., or the country if of foreign birth.
11.  Father of foreign birth.
12.  Mother of foreign birth.
13.  If born within the year, state the month.
14.  If married within the year, state the month.
15.  Attended school within the year.
16.  Cannot read.
17.  Cannot write.
18.  Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic.
19.  Male citizens of 21 years of age and upwards.
20.  Male citizens of 21 years of age and upwards who’s right to vote is denied or abridged on other grounds than rebellion or other crime.








1880
No new states added.

 The 1880 census contains the following information:
Columns left – right
1.  Dwelling houses numbered in order of visitation.
2.  Families numbered in order of visitation.
3.  The name of each person whose place of abode on first day of June 1880, was in this family.
4.  Color, White – W, Black – B, Mulatto – M, Chinese – C, Indian – I.
5.  Sex, Male – M, Female – F.
6.  Age at last birthday prior to June 1, 1880.  If under one year, give months in fractions, thus 4/12.
7.  If born within the census year, give the month.
8.  Relationship of this person to the head of this family, whether wife, son, daughter, servant, boarder, or other.
9.  Single.
10.  Married.
11.  Widowed – W, Divorced – D.
12.  Married during census year.
13.  Profession, occupation or trade of each person male or female.
14.  Number of months this person has been unemployed during the census year.
15.  Is the person on the day of the enumerator’s visit sick or temporarily disabled so as to be unable to attend to ordinary business or duties?  If so, what is the sickness or disability.
16.  Blind.
17.  Deaf and dumb.
18.  Idiotic.
19.  Insane.
20.  Maimed, crippled, bedridden or otherwise disabled.
21.  Attended school within the census year.
22.  Cannot read.
23.  Cannot write.
24.  Place of birth of this person naming State or Territory of the United States or the country if foreign born.
25.  Place of birth of father of this person naming State or Territory of the United States or the Country if foreign born.
26.  Place of birth of mother of this person naming State or Territory of the United States or Country if foreign born.


1890
During 1921, there was a fire in the Commerce Department where the 1890 census was held.  The fire was brought under control, but the sprinkler system went off and the census got wet.   Rather than trying to salvage and dry what they could, the census was left to sit overnight in the water.  It was destroyed and thrown away!  Only bits and pieces of it remain:
Alabama – Perry County; District of Columbia – various streets; Georgia – Muscogee County; Illinois – McDonough County, Mound Township; Minnesota – Wright County, Rockford; New Jersey – Hudson County, Jersey City; New York – Westchester County, Eastchester and Suffolk County, Brookhaven Township; North Carolina – Gaston County, South Point and Rice Bend Township, Cleveland County, Township No. 2;
Ohio – Hamilton County, Cincinnati, Clinton County, Wayne Township; South Dakota – Union County, Jefferson Township; Texas – Ellis County, S.P. No. 6, Mountain Peak, Ovila Precinct, Hood County, Precinct No. 5, Rusk County, Precinct No. 6 and J.P. No. 7, Trinity County, Trinity Town and Precinct No. 2, Kaufman County, Kaufman.

1900
A few more states and territories were added:  Alaska, Hawaii Territory, Indian Territory, Military and Naval Forces, Oklahoma.

The 1900 census contains the following information:
Columns - left to right
1.  Number of dwelling house in order of visitation.
2.  Number of family in the order of visitation.
3.  Name of each person whose place of abode on June 1, 1900 was in this family.
4.  Relationship of each person to the head of the family.
5.  Color of race.
6.  Sex.
7. Month and year of birth.
8.  Age at last birthday.
9.  Whether single, married, widowed or divorced.
10.  Number of years married.
11.  Mother of how many children.
12.  Number of these children living.
13.  Place of birth of this person.
14.  Place of birth of father of this person.
15.  Place of birth of mother of this person.
16.  Year of immigration to the United States.
17.  Number of years in the United States.
18.  Naturalization.
19.  Occupation.
20.  Months not employed.
21.  Attended school (in months)
22.  Can read
23.  Can write
24.  Can speak English
25. Owned or rented
26.  Owned free or mortgaged
27.  Farm or house
28.  Number of farm schedule (?)

1910
Only one new state was added to the census – Puerto Rico.

The1910 census contains the following information:
Columns – left to right
1.  Number of dwelling house in order of visitation.
2.  Number of family in order of visitation.
3.  Name of each person whose place of abode on April 15,1910, was in this family.
4.  Relationship of this person to the head of the family.
5.  Sex.
6.  Color or Race.
7.  Age at last birthday.
8.  Whether single, married, widowed or divorced.
9.  Number of years of present marriage.
10.  Number of children born.
11.  Number now living.
12.  Place of birth of this person.
13.  Place of birth of father of this person.
14.  Place of birth of mother of this person.
15.  Year of immigration to the United States.
16.  Whether naturalized or alien.
17.  Whether able to speak English; or if not, give language spoken.
18.  Trade or profession or particular kind of work done by this person.
19.  Industry, business or establishment in which this person works.
20.  Whether an employer, employee or working on own account.
21.  Whether out of work on April 15, 1910.
22.  Number of weeks out of work during the year 1909.
23.  Whether able to read.
24.  Whether able to write.
25.  Attended school any time since September 1, 1909.
26.  Owned or rented.
27.  Owned free or mortgaged.
28.  Farm or house.
29.  Number of farm schedule.
30.  Whether a survivor of the Union or Confederate Army or Navy.
31.  Whether blind (both eyes).
32.  Whether deaf and dumb.







1920
New states and territories added: American Samoa, Guam, Panama Canal Zone, Virgin Islands.

The 1920 census contains the following Information:
Columns left – to right
1.  Street, Avenue, Road etc.
2.  House number or farm etc.
3.  Number of dwelling house in order of visitation
4.  Number of family in order of visitation
5.  Name of each person whose place of abode on January 1, 1920 was in this family. Enter surname first, then the given name and middle initial, if any.   Include every person living on January 1, 1920.  Omit children born since January 1, 1920.
6.  Relationship of this person to head of family.
7.  Home owned or rented.
8.  If owned, free or mortgaged.
9.  Sex.
10.  Color or race.
11.  Age at last birthday.
12.  Single, married, widowed or divorced.
13.  Year of immigration to the United States.
14.  Naturalized or alien.
15.  If naturalized, year of naturalization.
16.  Attended school at any time since September 1, 1919.
17.  Whether able to read.
18.  Whether able to write.
19.  Place of birth.
20.  Mother tongue.
21.  Place of birth of father.
22.  Mother tongue.
23.  Place of birth of mother.
24.  Mother tongue.
25.  Whether able to speak English.
26.  Trade, profession or particular type of work done.
27.  Industry, business or establishment in which at work.
28.  Employer, salary or wage worker, or working on own account.
29.  Number of farm schedule.








1930
Consular Service was added to census.

The 1930 census contains the following Information:
Columns - left to right
1.  Street, avenue, road etc.
2.  House number (in cities and towns)
3.  Number of dwelling house in order of visitation
4.  Number of family in order if visitation
5.  Name of each person whose place of abode on April 1, 1930 was in this family.   Enter surname first, then the given name and middle initial if any.  Include every person living on April 1, 1930.  Omit children born since April 1, 1930
6.  Relationship of this person to head of family.
7.  Home owned or rented.
8.  Value of home, if owned, or monthly rental, if rented.
9.  Radio set.
10.  Does this family live on a farm.
11.  Sex.
12.  Color or race.
13.  Age at last birthday.
14.  Marital condition.
15.  Age at first marriage.
16.  Attended school or college any time since September 1, 1929.
17.  Whether able to read and write.
18.  Place of birth of person.
19.  Place of birth of father.
20.  Place of birth of mother.
21.  Language spoken at home before coming to the United States.
22.  Year of immigration to the United States.
23.  Naturalization.
24.  Whether able to speak English.
Code A,B,C, for office use only
25.  Trade, profession or particular kind of work.
26.  Industry or business.
Code D
27.  Class of worker.
28.  Whether actually at work yesterday or the last regular working day.
29.  If not, line number of Unemployment Schedule.
30.  Whether veteran of U. S. military or naval forces.
31.  What war or expedition.
32.  Number of farm schedule.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A 1860 CENSUS TAKER

This document provides information as reference for you to see what you can hope to find on each census record. Census records are a very good sourse for not only locating you ancestors but also putting their families together. Yes, clues every where but remember census takes are human and do make mistakes.

Remember - Census records are our friends 

A Story just for Fun about the possible life of a census taker's job: By  Dean Crosby. 

The census taker is about to have another bad day.  His name is John Doe.  It is Monday morning 5 AM.  John's day started out bad when his wife told him there were no more eggs or bacon.  He would have to settle for what was left of the baked beans from the night before.  During breakfast he thought about the deadline he had for taking the census in his district.  He was way behind, partially his fault, and partially because people were either out in the fields working, or they were more worried where there next meal was coming from than talking to some snoopy census taker. 

After breakfast, he went out to get his mule.  It was raining cats and dogs,  His mule had broke the wooden fence out, and who knows where he had gone.  John had to get going so he decided to go on foot.  Attempting to keep the census paper dry he walked several miles in rain to the first house on his list.  John did the proper introduction as to the reason for his visit.  The lady on the porch looked on him with pity and offered John a cup of coffee.  The first glimmer of his day getting better!  The good news was it was hot.  The bad, it tasted more like the water that she used to clean her husband's socks.  John pulled out his census log, only to find the pages so moist that he could not write on it.  John asked the women if she had some paper.  Her reply was "we us-ings doesn't use paper, we use corn cobs."  John struggled fo find a dry page in the middle of his book and began there to write. 

Being in a very rural area of Madison County TN, the homes were very scattered, so by the time he made his second stop he was soaked.  It was an old farmer that had compassion, and asked John to come in and dry out next to the fire he had made.  They talked about different things, as the time got away.  John dried out and the rain had all but stopped.  John asked the old man who his neighbor was, a half mile down the dirt road.  He replied "don't know much about um, but his name is Timothy Muns."  

It was afternoon now and John had only made two stops.  He came to the third house, the Muns.  There were a few dogs on the porch barking as he approached.  A young lad came out the front of the home, as there was no door.  John asked to see his father, and the lad replied proudly, "ma and pa went to town since it was rainon, and I am taken care of things".  John was surprised the lad was left alone, as he looked to be 5-6 years old.  John asked the lad his name and how old he was.  The lad replied proudly, " I'm Joseph and I'm ah ah ah ------   8 !",  In John's mind he thought about how far he was behind, and he did not want to come back, so he continued to get information from the boy.  He obviously knew his family's names, but struggled with their ages.  John thought, "some information is better than none at all, lets go with it!". 

 John really hustled the rest of the day till almost dark.  There was one more house at the end of the road, another mile and half.  John thought, "It's no big deal if I just miss one today.", so he headed home.  As he was walking in the dark he pondered many things; where did the mule go, what was for dinner, etc. John became somewhat encouraged, thinking, "today started out bad, but I did get a lot accomplished.  If I can just do this well the rest of the week."

As John approached his house he noticed no lantern light inside.  How late was it?  Did his wife go to bed?  He quietly entered, thinking he did not want to awaken his wife and children.  He lit a lantern.  No food on the stove tonight?  John thought, "Sure will be glad when that census pay gets here."  He noticed a piece of paper on the table and thought, "boy I sure could have used that today".  Oh, it was a note!

        "Dear John,

            We have no food, no livestock, no crops, and no money.   I found the mule, and decided to take him and the kids back to Henderson County and stay with ma, so the kids could have a meal.  Will be back friday when you get paid.

             Lucy"

So this is the life of a census taker in 1860.  150 years later we wonder why the information wasn't more accurate.