Census Sunday: Making Sense of a Census

  

Calvin Smith 

1812 – 1881

 Son of Jeremiah Smith & Joanne Dillon 

my 3^rd great grand uncle

&

Sarah Brumfield

 b 1824 

daughter of Willis Brumfield & Nancy Virginia Holmes 

my 1^st cousin 4x removed

I have been tracking down census records for this couple, both of whom are related to me. The earliest that I have seen is this one from 1850. Unfortunately, the 1850 census does not show relationships to the Head of Household. That item would be a great help here because I do not think all these folks are children of the main couple. Eliza, Martha & Sarah are just too old to be daughters of Sarah. 

Calvin might have been married before & they could be daughters from that marriage. They could be cousins other relatives who were visiting at the time of the census report.

Eliza, Martha & Sarah do not show up in later census reports with this couple. Of course, they could have married and moved away. The rest of the children in the report do show up in one, two or three later reports.

I am still studying this couple, looking at 1850, 1860, 1870 & 1880 reports & trying to sort out their children.

1850 US Census, MS, Pike; ancestry.com.

Calvin Smith, 38, farmer

Sarah, 26

Eliza E., 18

Martha J. 16

Sarah J., 14

Pernesa E., 10

Salena T., 8

Jeremiah W., 6

Margaret W., 5

Emily M., 3

Cyntha A., 2

Wyatt R., 0