{"id":89075,"date":"2023-01-23T11:45:50","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T16:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=89075"},"modified":"2023-01-25T09:50:21","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T14:50:21","slug":"genealogy-tip-marriage-status-in-the-census-1790-1880","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/genealogy-tip-marriage-status-in-the-census-1790-1880.html","title":{"rendered":"Genealogy Tip: Marriage Status in the Census (1790-1880)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega examines census records from 1790-1880 to show how marital status has been reported. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

As researchers we depend on the U.S. Federal Census to provide us information about our ancestors. However, that information changes over time. It starts with the first census, in 1790, with only the name of the head of household \u2013 and then later continues in the mid-19th<\/sup> century with every name of the household listed, to eventually in 1880 every person\u2019s name and relationship to the head of household.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: \u201cTaking the Census\u201d by Thomas Worth, 1870. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Those later census enumerations also provide us a glimpse into our ancestors\u2019 marital statuses, which then can lead us to additional records such as marriage licenses, marriage certificates, notices in historical newspapers, and even divorce records.<\/p>\n

What can we learn about your ancestor\u2019s state of matrimony (or lack thereof) in the census? Here\u2019s a look at clues to marital status in the census and what that year\u2019s census does (and does not) tell us.<\/p>\n

1790 U.S. Census<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the first census enumerations provide us nothing in terms of familial relationships and marital status, the little bit of information they do provide might be the hint you need. Keep in mind that the 1790 census is recording free white females and males with columns for \u201call other free persons\u201d and \u201cnumber of slaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: 1790 census for Hartland, Vermont, showing \u201cA Continuation of Names of Heads of Families.\u201d Source: FamilySearch; GenealogyBank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting with 1790 and continuing on until 1850, only the head of household is named. Although the head of household is often a man, remember it can be a woman \u2013 especially if she never married, was widowed, or divorced. One unfortunate aspect of the 1790 census, in relation to our female ancestors, is that it does not provide us a breakdown of women by age. So, the number of females living with a man might be a clue to a spouse, but it could represent female children, a mother, sister, or some other female family member.<\/p>\n

1800 and 1810 U.S. Censuses<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the 1800 and 1810 censuses, tick marks for those enumerated are expanded to include ages for free white females. The age ranges include: under 10; 10-15; 16-25; 26-44; and 45 & over. It\u2019s possible that, if you know a little bit about the family already, you might be able to pinpoint a spouse based on her age. Keep in mind that these are free white men and women; there are additional columns for \u201cAll other [free] persons except Indians not taxed\u201d and \u201cSlaves,\u201d but they are not broken down by age.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: blank form for the 1800 census. Source: National Archives https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/files\/research\/genealogy\/charts-forms\/1800-census.pdf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1820-1840 U.S. Censuses<\/strong><\/p>\n

From 1820-1840 we once again are looking at only the name of the head of household, but age categories are provided for all \u201cfree white persons\u201d and \u201cfree colored persons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: 1840 census for Clermont, Ohio. Source: FamilySearch; GenealogyBank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One thing to look for with the 1840 census is the report of Revolutionary War pensioners or their widows. The report includes: the name of the pensioner; their age; and the name of the head of household the pensioner lives with, revealing a name behind the tick mark. You can find the list of names on the U.S. Census Bureau website in the publication \u201cA Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services\u201d: https:\/\/www.census.gov\/library\/publications\/1841\/dec\/1840d.html<\/a>. You can download the whole report or specific states.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: 1840 census, list of military pensioners for Connecticut. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1850-1870 U.S. Censuses<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1850 the census becomes an \u201cevery-name\u201d census for \u201cwhite persons and free persons of color,\u201d meaning that white and free persons of color are named individually.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: 1850 census for Washington County, Virginia. Source: FamilySearch; GenealogyBank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One clue to marriage status is a column found in the 1850-1870 censuses that asks whether the person was married within the year, which can provide a valuable clue for the newly married. However, keep in mind there are no relationships to the head of household listed. That means we can\u2019t assume that a man and woman listed who are about the right age are necessarily married to each other. The spouse may have died or left prior to the census enumeration.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: 1850 census for Washington County, Virginia, showing the column \u201cMarried within the year.\u201d Source: FamilySearch; GenealogyBank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If your ancestor was enslaved during this time period, the 1850 and 1860 slave schedule lists slave owners and statistics about slaves, but not the names of the enslaved.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: blank form for the 1860 census slave schedule. Source: National Archives https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/files\/research\/genealogy\/charts-forms\/1860-slave-schedules.pdf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1880 U.S. Census<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 1880 census provides us, for the first time, a look at the names and relationships found in a household. We now have not only an \u201cevery-name\u201d census, but also the relationship to the head of household. Finally, we have an indication of the names of a married couple. (Keep in mind that we don\u2019t know who the informant is in any census except 1940, so we don\u2019t know how much or how little the person providing the information to the census enumerator knew. It may or may not have been a family member or the head of household themselves. This \u201cevery-name\u201d census includes a column for relationship to the head of the household, marital status, and whether married within the year.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: 1880 census for San Jose, California. Source: FamilySearch; GenealogyBank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What Does the Census Reveal about Marital Status?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While early census records provide only basic, limited information about our family and their relationships, they can provide clues for further research \u2013 and later censuses contain more and more family information. You can access the U.S. Federal Census<\/a> on GenealogyBank.<\/p>\n

Also, it\u2019s important to remember that census enumerations are just one record we should refer to in our research. Remember to document what you find and follow it up with other records that exist for that time and location. A search in historical newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>, for the time period and location you\u2019re researching might also provide more detailed information and further hints \u2013 so make sure to use newspapers in conjunction with your census search.<\/p>\n

In part 2 of this article, we will take a look at 20th<\/sup> century census enumerations.<\/p>\n

Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial. <\/a><\/p>\n

Note on the header image:<\/em><\/strong> Seal of the United States Bureau of the Census. Credit: United States Bureau of the Census; Wikimedia Commons.<\/p>\n

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