pre-1850 census

Don't avoid learning to use the pre-1850 census just because it doesn't give you every name.

Make sure you have found EVERYONE in the family that you can in 1850.

If you are trying to move back to 1840 and your family is sizable make yourself a guide in a spreadsheet or table

example:

Samuel Cooper and Hester Ann Lindsey Family

married 7 Jan 1795 in Shelby Co. KY

Once you have the census copy the details of the count and try to name them. Do they match (or almost match) what you know?

Here is Samuel Cooper's family in 1820, Gallatin Co. Kentucky

1 white male under 10 there should be two - William & Milton

2 white males 16-25 Asa & Lindsey & Levin - someone has left home

1 white male 26-44 probably Lewis L even though he is a year off or so

1 white male over 45 - Samuel

3 white females under 10 - Artemissa, Minerva ______ there is a girl unaccounted for

1 white female 10-15 - Ellen (Isabella has married)

1 white female 26-44 - Hetty

2 male slaves 14-25

2 female slaves under 14

3 female slaves 14-25 (7 total)

AROUND THEM:

If you are trying to find possible parents for a person do an inventory of the census when they were living there that includes everyone with the same last names as family members