1880 Census Tips
Unique Feature of the 1800 Census
The 1880 census was the first to identify an individual’s relation to the head of household. In addition, the 1880 census was the first to identify the state, county, and other subdivisions; the name of the street and house number for urban households; illness or disability at the time the census was taken; marital status; number of months unemployed during the year; and the state or country of birth of every individual’s father and mother.
We can see in the image below the importance of asking relationship to head of household. Along with Almond B. Strowger (head of household), we have wife Elizabeth A., daughter Mary R., and step daughter Francis H. Willard. In prior census schedules, one would have to guess or assume the relationship between Francis and Almond, but this possibility for erroneous assumptions was removed in 1880. View more details and 1880 census results.
Because this is the first census to state an individual’s relationship to the head of household, the 1880 census may be useful in discovering previously unknown married daughters, mothers-in-law, cousins, and other relatives living with the family. Note: Keep in mind that the wife may not be the mother of any or all of the children listed.
Check for variant spellings of names. In 1880, many people could not read or write and they might not have been sure of the spelling of their own names; rigid spelling of names was uncommon.
The 1880 census identifies the state or country of birth for an individual’s parents. You can use this location as a starting point to conduct research for additional ancestors.
The census may be used to supplement birth or marriage records for the census year or even to partially replace them where vital records are not recorded elsewhere.
Interesting Facts
The 1880 census may provide clues to genetic diseases in earlier generations of a family. The census reported whether an individual was blind, deaf, dumb, idiotic, insane, maimed, or crippled. This is the first U.S. census to use "Indian" as a race classification. Indians not taxed are not in regular population schedules. Some may appear in special Indian schedules.
Other Useful Sites for Genealogy
When conducting family history research, you will quickly realize that no one source can answer all your questions. This is true for original source material, physical archives, and those archives that have been digitized and transcribed for searching via the Internet.
While this site is focused on 1880 census and how to use Census Records, there are a host of other record types and Web sites that may be of interest.
Here are some of our favorites:
¤ 1930 Census - free details for researching 1930 census records
¤ US Census - an summary overview, 1790 - 1940
¤ Genealogy 101 Tips for Beginners & Free forms
¤ NY Arrivals searcing NY passenger arrivals
¤ Vital Records tips at Genealogy Worldwide
¤ Ellis Island (The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation)
¤ American Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island
¤ New York Passenger Lists, detail about the Port of NY
¤ SteveMorse.org (One Step Search Tools)
¤ Castle Garden
¤ APG (Assoc. of Professional Genealogists)
¤ LDS Church (the Mormon Church)
¤ Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter (by Dick Eastman)
