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Archiver > ADVANCED-RESEARCH > 2004-11 > 1100047170


From: "Sharyn Hay" <>
Subject: Re: [ADVANRES] census formats
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 16:39:30 -0800
References: <BAY18-F13plWdtaGzW300039110@hotmail.com> <418FBCD5.8080708@worldnet.att.net> <b3rvo0taef6iurpgfodrjh6f6s72u8ts6d@4ax.com> <4190F0C4.1030308@worldnet.att.net> <000a01c4c6b0$ff56f850$6400a8c0@Ebony>


----- Original Message -----
From: "J.Johnson" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 3:08 PM
Subject: Re: [ADVANRES] census formats


> I have viewed early census images in which the names of the
> head-of-households are grouped in a loose alphabetical order. For instance,
> all the A surnames are written first, then the B surnames, then C surnames,
> etc. No doubt the census enumerator first recorded these households in the
> order that they were visited and then later grouped them in the alphabetical
> order that I viewed. My question: Was it customary for the first version
> to be discarded after the second version was created? If not, where would a
> researcher find the first version or does this vary by census location and
> census year? Thank you in advance for your responses. Sincerely, Jeanne
> Johnson, Tarpon Springs, Florida
>

Just about every census you see has been copied from the original
before it was sent to the federal government by the original census
taker. Although they had specific instructions in later years, the manner
of presentation in the earliest years varies. Even when the instructions
were clear, as in 1870, there was variation. The man who did the one
that interests me actually put the state *and town* of birth for my
ancestors, a small discrepancy for which I am grateful. It is very
unlikely that you will find any of the "original" census sheets for the
years before 1840, but stranger things have happened. You might want
to post this question on the Census>USA>General message board
as there are some census gurus there who may be able to answer
a question about a specific census.

Regards,
Sharyn
Board Admin, Census>General; Census>Canada>General

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