June 1, 1850 Census Records All Names

Beginning in 1790, and every ten years thereafter, a federal census has been conducted. In the first six énumérations the name of the head of household is listed with age groupings for all the people living in the household, either as male or female. Over the years the age groupings changed, but it would be unknown if the 20 to 30-year-old female in 1830 was the same 30 to 40-year-old female in 1840.

All that changed in 1850. Not only was this the first census for the newly enlarged Town of Covert, but it was the first to list all residents of the households.

Now people can find out who the extra older female was in the household. Perhaps an elderly aunt, older sister, or a servant who had been living with the family for years.

With each new census, additional or different information was gathered.  A few examples are relationship to the head of household, occupation, birth month and year, or where the parents were born (for each person). These changes give today’s researchers so much more to help them identify members of the family, track missing relatives, or understand the economic trends.

There are also major changes from the 1980s when I first started working on genealogy, which are greatly appreciated by all. Census records can be found online rather than reading through rolls of microfilm. As an alternative to Ancestry try www.familysearch.org which is a free site. Or use the Finger Lakes Library System, www.flls.org databases. You will need your library card to access the information.

Dewitt’s Diary Sunday June 1, 1969

South wind temperature 50. The temperature went up fast and it was hot this afternoon. Up to 90.

Set out 8 hills of muskmelon this morning. Some plants I grew.

We took our dinner and drove over to Sampson Park along Seneca Lake this afternoon. Many boats fishing. The Seneca Lake Trout Derby is on May 30 and 31, and June 1 today. First prize is $1,500.00.

Hot temperature 90 when we got home. Shower north of here. We need some water now.

Planted some flower seeds. Thundering at dark. Very muggy.