US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules: Gathering More Data On Your Ancestors

     In my last post, I mentioned using the US Federal Mortality Schedules to gather more information on an ancestor's husband. Today I'd like to introduce the Non-Population Schedules in general, and then over the next week or so go into detail about these additions to the US Census that will provide a ton of information for your own research. 



    Between 1810-1880, and once again in 1935, as part of the US Federal Census, the government decided to collect more information on different portions of the population, and gathered them into what are called Non-Population Schedules. These provided data on industry, including farming and ranching, certain social groups, and deaths. These were only applicable in certain states, and certain circumstances, so be aware that the schedule might not have been taken in the area of your research. The National Archive has helpfully provided a place to check what schedules were done on a state-by-state basis at https://www.archives.gov/research/census/nonpopulation

    The major schedules are:

  1. Manufacturing: taken during the 1810, 1820, and 1850-1880 Census
  2. Agricultural: taken during the 1850-1880 Census
  3. Mortality: taken from 1850-1885
  4. Slave: taken only during the 1850 and 1860 Census years
  5. Social: 1850-1870 Censuses
  6. Delinquent, Defective, And Dependent Classes: only taken in 1880
  7. Business: only taken in 1935


    There were also Indian Censuses, but these are a special sort of census, and I intend to go over these in detail in a separate series of posts. 
    
    These special additions to the US Census are invaluable for the information that they provide us, allowing us to add "flesh" to the portraits of our ancestors that genealogy gives us. Over the next few days, I'll explain each of these schedules and how to use them for maximum effect. I'll start tomorrow with the US Federal Mortality Schedule, so I'll see you then! 

    As always I welcome comments and questions!

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