6.5 Beyond Population Schedules
There are other types of schedules beyond the population schedules that are usually researched for census data. As seen in Exercise 6A, there can be many different types of census records.
Figure 6.7 from the FamilySearch Wiki page detailing New York Census Records shows non-population schedules that are available for New York. Following the same steps as in the exercise, but searching for another place in the world, will give the researcher a good idea of what records are available that might substitute for missing census collections. The wiki does not give a list of every collection that can be searched for information similar to census data. To see a complete list of resources for any area search the catalog on each of the big four websites for the place of interest.
Using the United States Census as an example gives an overview of different types of non-population schedules. The circumstances happening during different U.S. Census years prompted the compiling of different types of information. For example, from 1850 to 1880 agriculture, mortality, and social statistic schedules were compiled. 1850 marked the seventh time a federal census had been completed in the United States so enumerators were asked to expand the questions in order to collect additional data.
Sometimes schedules are created for different categories based on social issues, indentured or slavery status, occupation, tribe, or origin. There may be schedules created for a variety of reasons. Slave schedules, Indian schedules, and Veteran’s schedules are samples of types on documents that fall into this category. Modern historians may find some of the language used in these and other documents to be uncomfortable, as they do not conform to current social norms. There may be times when people are categorized and the idea of sorting people in such a manner could seem offensive. This is a part of historical research that can be uncomfortable, but historians have the opportunity of looking at the past and learning about the people who lived that history. Sometimes discovering their stories provides an opportunity to represent them or give them a voice, honoring and treating someone with dignity who may not have been treated well during their life.
Mortality Schedules
Mortality schedules are death registers taken at the national level that are usually tied to a census. The information contained in the schedule will vary with the place and year the census was taken. Again, using the United States Federal Census as an example, the 1850 U.S. Mortality Schedules are a sample of what researchers may find when exploring mortality schedules. Other countries have mortality schedules, so refer to the FamilySearch Wiki to discover if they are available for the place of interest. The U.S. Federal Census includes mortality schedules from 1850 to 1880, but the information on the 1850 schedules includes the following information about each person reported to have passed away in the year before the census: “The cause of death, the age and sex, the color and condition, the nativity, the season of decease, the duration of illness, the occupation.”1
CHICAGO STYLE:
In quotes include the title of the document/webpage, end quotations then name of person with death date and place of census, italicized title of the website, author or sponsor of the website if known, accessed date with month spelled out followed by numerical day, year, url.2
“U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885,” Josephine Wright died April 1880 census in Rome, Athens, Ohio, United States, Ancestry, accessed February 2, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8756/records/126162?tid=pid=queryId=36195534-fbd0-4ab4-acd0-9e318f1e652c_phsrc=qeJ3727_phstart=success.
EVIDENCE EXPLAINED:
List the name of the census, add description of schedule, and identifying details, name of research subject, in quotations the name of the collection, description of database, name of the sponsor or website is next and is italicized, the url is then presented in parentheses, ending with other citation information like microfilm details.3
1880 U.S. Census, Athens County, Ohio, mortality schedule, enumeration district 11, p. 1, line 2, Josephine Wright; “U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8756/records/126162?tid=pid=queryId=36195534-fbd0-4ab4-acd0-9e318f1e652c_phsrc=qeJ3727_phstart=success Source: accessed 2 February 2025), 1880> Ohio> Athens; citing NARA microfilm publication TT159, roll 102.
SENSIBLE CITATION:
In quotations state the name of the collection, end quotations then represent the name of the individual, event and date, followed by standardized date with numerical day followed by full month and year in standardized place, describe the database, identifying information that will help a researcher find that particular record, repository in italics, access date typed with the numerical date followed by the full month and the year. After completing the citation embed a link to the webpage in the section with the household name, date, and place. (Skip any information that is not found on the record)
“U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885,” Josephine Wright died April 1880 census place Rome, Athens, Ohio, United States, online database with images, page 1, line 2, family 51, image 11 of 17, Ancestry, accessed 2 February 2025.
Slave Schedules
In 1850 and 1860 population schedules titled “Slave Schedules” were taken as part of the United States Federal Census. These schedules documented each slave but rarely included their name. They were listed under the slave holder’s name, but if carefully read they can give researchers valuable information. Some of the categories documented include: residence of slave holder, name of slave holder, number of slaves owned, age of slave, gender of slave, color of slave, whether the slave is a fugitive from the state, number of the slave holder’s slaves that were released from slavery, physical or mental attributes of the slaves including items like deaf, dumb, mute, blind, insane, and idiotic. Because these schedules rarely include slave names, a researcher may assume the information cannot be helpful, but these documents may be used like the early census records that listed only the head of household and itemized people with tally marks. By working backwards into these schedules, it is possible to identify the people the data represents even without their name. Learning all that is possible about the slave holder will help. Consider using these records in concert with business records, estate records, probate records, property records, church records, personal diaries, family bibles, and other places where individuals may be documented.
Social and Statisic Schedules
Events and social issues happening at the time of a census may be reflected in the types of schedules that are produced. This is true anywhere in the world. In 1900 and 1910 special schedules were created that made inquires into data on native Americans. Another example is Veteran’s schedules, which generally document veterans and their surviving spouses. These special schedules could be part of a federal census, but researchers may also find that specialized schedules were generated during a state or local census. Reports on social statistics may have been generated during a census and may be nation-wide or presented for local areas like cities or counties. The FamilySearch Wiki explains that in 1850, 1860, and 1870 “Statistics were gathered concerning a specific geographic area within a county. These schedules do not provide information about specific individuals, only statistical data."4
Agricultural, Business, Manufacturing, and Other Schedules
Non-population schedules contain data that may be of interest to genealogists, adding context and definitive numbers to research reports that help give a clear picture of the lives of research subjects. Agricultural schedules list owners and managers of farms with numbers of acres of certain crops produced, value of livestock by type, and they may contain tax information and the cash value of the farms. Sometimes these records include the names of neighbors and other information that can expand a family tree. Business schedules are useful in the same way and are not just for farms but many types of business. Manufacturing schedules can also be very helpful to family historians.
Students interested in a succinct overview on types of non-population schedules may enjoy “U.S. Census Non-Population Schedules: Adding Details to Our Ancestors’ Lives”5 written by Alice Childs, AG® who offers insights into the functions and importance of different types of schedules.
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