National Archives Central Plains Region, Kansas City, Missouri

You don’t have to travel all the way to Washington, D.C., to find federal records of Iowa significance. The National Archives Central Plains Region in Kansas City, Missouri, is home to many useful and important government documents.

Located at 400 West Pershing Road in Kansas City, the Central Plains Regional Archives house documents, photographs, maps, and more, created or received by Federal Courts and over eighty Federal agencies in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

You can examine and copy original documents relating to your family in the research room, such as:

• Immigration and naturalization records from Federal and District courts
• Native American records from the Bureau of Indian Affairs
• Federal penitentiary records, including case files for Leavenworth Penitentiary
• Selected pension and bounty land documents
• Federal  and U.S. District court case files, including backrupcies

The computer research room provides access to microfilm, online databases and family history websites.

The staff is there to help—don’t hesitate to ask questions. Researching archival materials can be confusing and very time consuming. Keep in mind you may need to visit more than once to complete your research.

Archival holdings are arranged by record group (abbreviated RG). Each RG is a body of records from an agency or bureau, identified by a specific RG number. Selected finding aids, including a comprehensive guide to archival holdings, are available by mail and online at www.archives.gov.

Don’t expect to find your ancestor’s name listed in any finding aid or database! That is rare—you will instead want to focus on which groups of records might contain information for your ancestor, based on research you’ve already completed.

Plan your research trip carefully: do as much ahead of time as possible by exploring the NARA website finding aids. If possible, contact the Archives in advance and let them know which original records you want to use, so they can be prepared when you arrive.

Before using archival holdings, every researcher must obtain a researcher identification card. Expect to t show identification that includes a photograph, such as a driver’s license, passport, or school or business identification card, and complete a short form giving name, address, telephone number, and a brief description of the proposed research topic. A researcher ID card, valid for one year, is then issued. It must be presented during each research visit.

NARA at Kansas City also hosts region-specific exhibits, such as the current “They’re Not Going to Get Me: Crime in the 1930s,” which is open now through 18 August 2012. When I visited recently, this exhibit reminded me of the historical connections Iowans have with this era of American history. Characters like John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow committed robberies or engaged in shoot-outs right here in Iowa. Did your ancestor cross paths with these notorious criminals? It’s worthwhile to study the movements of well-known figures through NARA documents or local histories and newspapers. You never know what you will learn!

National Archives at Kansas City, 400 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64108. Phone: 816-268-8000. Email: kansascity.archives@nara.gov. Website: www.archvies.gov/central-plains/kansas-city .

Research hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Exhibit Gallery hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free!

1850 Census Taker. U.S. Census Bureau photo.

Until 1850, Federal census enumerations only listed heads of households, with other household members identified only statistically, by age and sex. So researchers rejoice to find their families in the 1850 census, the first to identify every individual in each household by name. Four additional schedules were completed: Slave, Agriculture, Mortality and Industry.

1850 U.S. census highlights:

• The “as of” date for this census is 1 June 1850.
• Although all indivuduals are named, it’s important to remember that their relationship to the head of household is not stated. Be careful not to jump to conclusions about those relationships—keep looking for other records, including other census years, that might confirm or clarify how those individuals fit into your family structure.
• Don’t overlook the column for “value of real estate owned,” a good clue that you might need to access local or federal land records for your ancestor.
• Occupations for individuals over age fifteen are included.
• Couples married within the past year are noted. This is a good lead for a marriage date.
• Don’t overlook the other schedules to get a complete picture of your family in 1850.

Here’s the complete list of questions asked:

Schedule 1. Free Inhabitants in _________, in the County of ________, State of _________, enumerated by me, on the _____ day of ___________, 1850.

___________________, Assít. Marshal.

1. Dwelling houses and number in order of visitation.
2. Families numbered in the order of visitation.
3. The name of every person whose usual place of abode on the 1^st day of June, 1850, was in this family.

Description:

4. Age.
5. Sex.
6. Color – White, black, or mulatto.
7. Profession, occupation, or trade of each male person over 15 years of age.
8. Value of real estate owned.
9. Place of birth, naming the state, territory, or country.
10. Married within the year.
11. Attended school within the year.
12. Persons over 20 years of age who can not read and write.
13. Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict.

Schedule 2. Slave Inhabitants in _________, in the County of ________, State of _________, enumerated by me, on the _____ day of ___________, 1850.

___________________, Assít. Marshal.

1. Names of slave owners.
2. Number of slaves.

Description:

3. Age.
4. Sex.
5. Color.
6. Fugitives.
7. Number manumitted.
8. Deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic.

Here are the Enumerator’s instructions:

Explanation of Schedule No. 1.-Free Inhabitants.

This schedule is to be filled up in the following manner:

Insert in the heading the name of number of the district, town, or city of the county or parish, and of the state, and the day of the month upon which the enumeration was taken. This is to be attested on each page of each set, by the signature of the assistant.

The several columns are to be filled as follows:

1. Under heading 1, entitled “Dwelling houses numbered in the order of visitation,” insert the number of dwelling houses occupied by free inhabitants, as they are visited. The first house visited to be numbered 1; the second visited, 2; the third one visited, 3; and so on to the last house visited in the subdivision. By a dwelling house is meant a separate inhabited tenement, containing one or more families under one roof. Where several tenements are in one block, with walls either of brick or wood to divide them, having separate entrances, they are each to be numbered as separate houses; but where not so divided, they are to be numbered as one house.

If a house is used partly for a store, shop, or for other purposes, and partly for a dwelling house, it is to be numbered as a dwelling house. Hotels, poorhouses, garrisons, hospitals, asylums, jails, penitentiaries, and other similar institutions, are each to be numbered as a dwelling house; where the house is of a public nature, as above, write perpendicularly under the number, in said column, the name or description, as “hotel,” “poorhouse,” etc.

2. Under heading 2, entitled “Families numbered in the order of visitation,” insert the number of the families of free persons as they are visited. The first family visited by the assistant marshal is to be numbered 1; the second one visited, 2; and so on to the last one visited in his district.

By the term family is meant, either one person living separately in a house, or a part of a house, and providing for him or herself, or several persons living together in a house, or in part of a house, upon one common means of support, and separately from others in similar circumstances. A widow living alone and separately providing for herself, or 200 individuals living together and provided for by a common head, should each be numbered as one family.

The resident inmates of a hotel, jail, garrison, hospital, an asylum, or other similar institution, should be reckoned as one family.

3. Under heading 3, entitled, “The name of every person whose usual place of abode on the 1st day of June, 1850, was in this family,” insert the name of every free person in each family, of every age, including the names of those temporarily absent, as well as those that were at home on that day. The names of every member of a family who may have died since the 1st day of June is to be entered and described as if living, but the name of any person born since the 1st day of June is to be omitted. The names are to be written beginning with the father and mother; or if either, or both, be dead, begin with some other ostensible head of the family; to be followed, as far as practicable, with the name of the oldest child residing at home, then the next oldest, and so on to the youngest, then the other inmates, lodgers and borders, laborers, domestics, and servants.

All landlords, jailors [sic], superintendents of poorhouses, garrisons, hospitals, asylums, and other similar institutions, are to be considered as heads of their respective families, and the inmates under their care to be registered as members thereof, and the details concerning each designated in their proper columns.

Indians not taxed are not to be enumerated in this or any other schedule.

By place of abode is meant the house or usual lodging place of a person. Anyone who is temporarily absent on a journey, or for other purposes, without taking up his place of residence elsewhere, and with the intention of returning again, is to be considered a member of the family which the assistant marshal is enumerating.

Students in colleges, academies, or schools, when absent from the families to which they belong, are to be enumerated only as members of the family in which they usually boarded and lodged on the 1st day of June.

Assistant marshals are directed to make inquiry at all stores, shops, eating houses, and other similar places, and take the name and description of every person who usually slept there, provided such person is not otherwise enumerated.

Inquiries are to be made at every dwelling house, or of the head of every family. Those only who belong to such family, and consider it their home or usual place of abode, whether present or temporarily absent on a visit, journey, or a voyage, are to be enumerated. Persons on board of vessels accidentally or temporarily in port , temporarily boarding for a few days at a sailors boarding or lodging house, if they belong to other places are not to be enumerated as the population of a place.

The sailors and hands of a revenue cutter which belongs to a particular port should be enumerated as of that port. A similar rule will apply to those employed in the navigation of the lakes, rivers, and canals. All are to be taken at their homes or usual place of abode, whether present or absent; and if any live on board of vessels or boats who are not so enumerated, they are to be taken as of the place where the vessel or boat is owned, licensed, or registered. And the assistant marshals are to make inquiry at every vessel and boat employed in the internal navigation of the United States, and enumerate those who are not taken as belonging to a family on shore; and all persons of such description in any one vessel are to be considered as belonging to one family and the vessel their place of abode. The assistants in all seaports will apply at the proper office for lists of all persons on a voyage at sea and register all citizens of the United States who have not been registered as belonging to some family.

Errors necessarily occurred in the last census in enumerating those employed in navigation because no uniform rule was adopted for the whole United States. Assistant marshals are required to be particular in following the above directions, that similar errors may now be avoided.

4. Under heading 4, entitled “Age,” insert in figures what was the specific age of each person at his or her last birthday previous to the 1st of June, opposite the name of such person. If the exact age in years can not be ascertained, insert a number which shall be the nearest approximation to it.

The age, either exact or estimated, is to be inserted.

If the person be a child under 1 year old, the entry is to be made by the fractional parts of a year, thus: one month, one-twelfth; two months, two-twelfths; three months, three-twelfths, and so on to eleven months, eleven-twelfths.

5. Under heading 5, entitled “Sex,” insert the letter M for male and F for female, opposite the name, in all cases, as the fact may be.

6. Under heading 6, entitled “Color,” in all cases where the person is white, leave the space blank; in all cases where the person is black, insert the letter B; if mulatto, insert M. It is very desirable that these particulars be carefully regarded.

7. Under heading 7, entitled “Profession, occupation, or trade of each person over 15 years of age,” insert opposite the name of each male the specific profession, occupation, or trade which the said person is known and reputed to follow in the place where he resides – as clergyman, physician, lawyer, shoemaker, student, farmer, carpenter, laborer, tailor, boatman, sailor, or otherwise, as the fact may be. When more convenient, the name of the article he produces may be substituted.

When the individual is a clergyman, insert the initials of the denomination to which he belongs before his profession – as Meth. for Methodist, R.C. for Roman Catholic, O.S.P. for Old School Presbyterian, or other appropriate initials, as the fact may be. When a person follows several professions or occupations the name of the principal one only is to be given. If a person follows no particular occupation, the space is to be filled with the word “none.”

8. Under heading 8 insert the value of real estate owned by each individual enumerated. You are to obtain the value of real estate by inquiry of each individual who is supposed to own real estate, be the same located where it may, and insert the amount in dollars. No abatement of the value is to be made on account of any lien or incumbrance [sic] thereon in the nature of debt.

9. Under heading 9, “Place of birth.” The marshal should ask the place of birth of each person in the family. If born in the State or Territory where they reside, insert the name or initials of the State or Territory, or the name of the government or country if without the United States. The names of the several States may be abbreviated.

Where the place of birth is unknown, state “unknown.”

10. Under No. 10 make a mark, or dash, opposite the name of each person married during the year previous to the 1st of June, whether male or female.

11. Under heading 11, entitled “At school within the last year.” The marshal should ask what member of this family has been at school within the last year; he is to insert a mark, thus, (1), opposite the names of all those, whether male or female, who have been at educational institutions within that period. Sunday schools are not to be included.

12. Under heading 12, entitled “Persons over 20 years of age who can not read and write.” The marshal should be careful to note all persons in each family, over 20 years of age, who can not read and write, and opposite the name of each make a mark, thus, (1). The spaces opposite the names of those who can read and write are to be left blank. If the person can read and write a foreign language, he is to be considered as able to read and write.

13. Heading 13, entitled “Deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict.” The assistant marshal should ascertain if there be any person in the family deaf, dumb, idiotic, blind, insane, or pauper. If so, who? And insert the term “deaf and dumb,” “blind,” “insane,” and “idiotic,” opposite the name of such persons, as the fact may be. When persons who had been convicted of crime within the year reside in families on the 1st of June, the fact should be stated, as in the other cases of criminals; but, as the interrogatory might give offense, the assistants had better refer to the country record for information on this head, and not make the inquiry of any family. With the county record and his own knowledge he can seldom err.

Should a poorhouse, asylum for the blind, insane or idiotic, or other charitable institution, or a penitentiary, a jail, house of refuge, or other place of punishment, be visited by the assistant marshal, he must number such building in its regular order, and he must write after the number, and perpendicularly in the same column (No. 1) the nature of such institution – that it is a penitentiary, jail , house of refuge, as the case may be; and in column 13, opposite the name of each person, he must state the character of the infirmity or misfortune, in the one case, and in the other he must state the crime for which each inmate is confined, and of which such person was convicted; and in column No. 3, with the name, give the year of conviction, and fill all the columns concerning age, sex, color, etc., with as much care as in the case of other individuals.

1914 Wedding Gown. Somewhere in Time: IGS Wedding Memories.

The Iowa Genealogical Society is currently hosting a very special exhibit in the West Wing of the IGS Library, 628 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines.

“Somewhere in Time: IGS Wedding Memories,” is a fundraiser exhibit of IGS member heirloom wedding dresses, apparel and accessories, along with vintage photographs and wedding stories.

The event kicked off last weekend, and will remain open to the public this Thursday through Saturday, May 17 – 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. A $5 donation is requested at the door. All funds raised benefit IGS programs and services.

The oldest gown displayed dates to 1863. Other heirloom treasures feature fashions and artifacts from the Edwardian Era, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Post-war Era. Photographs and family wedding stories enhance this unique event.

Travel back through time with the Iowa Genealogical Society, learn about wedding trends through the ages; enjoy and celebrate a rare glimpse of Iowa’s ancestral wedding memories!

Did your ancestor participate in the Mexican War? I have not identified anyone on my family tree who did, but the events of that time period are significant for any Iowa researcher or student of American history.

David & Jeanne Heidler have produced a solidly researched text exploring the political and military circumstances that produced the Mexican War in 1846. Written for high school or undergraduate students (which may explain the price), this little volume is a good introduction to the conflict between the United State and Mexico. The maps are very good, and equal time is given to both sides of the conflict. Original documents and biographies of the key players are included at the back of the book.

If you expect to learn about the American troops and militia who participated, and where they were from, you will be somewhat disappointed. The book does not delve into troop numbers or origins in any detail. But if you want to get an introduction to this seldom-studied conflict that was a training ground for so many Civil War figures, this is a well-written and engaging volume.

U.S. Patent Office, Washington, D.C. 1860. U.S. Census Bureau photo.

On the brink of Civil War, the 1860 census was the last decennial census to include a slave schedule. The Government Printing Office improved uniformity for the first time by printing all the forms used across the country.

The “as of” date was 1 June 1860. Each page included the name of the county, township, and post office.

Similar to the 1850 questionnaire, 1860 added a column for the value of personal estate. Occupations are listed for each individual over the age of fifteen.

Here is a complete list of the questions asked:

Schedule 1. Free Inhabitants in _________, in the County of ________, State of _________, enumerated by me, on the _____ day of ___________, 1860.

___________________, Ass’t. Marshal.

1. Dwelling houses and number in order of visitation
2. Families numbered in the order of visitation
3. The name of every person whose usual place of abode on the 1^st day of June, 1860, was in this family

Description:

4. Age
5. Sex
6. Color – White, black, or mulatto
7. Profession, occupation, or trade of each person, male or female, over 15 years of age

Value of real estate owned:

8. Value of real estate
9. Value of personal estate
10. Place of birth, naming the state, territory, or country
11. Married within the year
12. Attended school within the year
13. Persons over 20 years of age who can not read and write
14. Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict

Schedule 2. Slave Inhabitants in _________, in the County of ________, State of _________, enumerated by me, on the _____ day of ___________, 1860.

___________________, Ass’t. Marshal.

1. Names of slave owners
2. Number of slaves

Description:

3. Age
4. Sex
5. Color
6. Fugitives from the state
7. Number manumitted
8. Deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic
9. Number of slave houses.

Instructions to Enumerators continued to be extensive:

1. Having been duly commissioned and taken the oath prescribed in section 9, law of May 28, 1850, the Assistants will be supplied by the Marshal with the necessary schedules, and a suitable portfolio for their preservation, wherein they should be carried without folding.

2. You will find it necessary to provide a portable inkstand, with good ink and suitable pens. Each portfolio will be accompanied with a sheet of blotting paper with which you will carefully dry all entries made on the schedules.

3. Numbering Pages.- You will not fail to number each page of the schedules in the exact order of their filling up, using care to complete up one sheet before making any entries on another of like character. In the filling up of the sheets, they must not be folded one in another. The first page of each of the six schedules must be number 1, the first page of the second sheet must be number 5, and thus continuously through your work. This order must be preserved with respect to the different classes of schedules, each variety whereof must have the first page number 1.

4. Care of Papers.- When traveling from house to house you will observe care in preserving your papers from loss, and while at rest protect them from meddling hands. Carry with you as little finished work as possible, and do not encumber yourself with an unnecessary quantity of blank schedules. At all times have this pamphlet of Instructions with you.

5. Distinguish Boundaries.- When you have completed the enumeration of a town, township, village, ward, or county, leave a blank space of four or five lines, unless such termination occurs at or near the bottom of a page, in which ease write “concluded.” Let your work on each schedule clearly indicate the point of completing every geographical or municipal division.

6. Refusal to Answer.- If any person to whom application is made for information should refuse to give it, or should designedly make false representations, you should inform him of the responsibility he incurs thereby, and the penalty to which he becomes liable under the 15th section of the law.

7. Personal Inquiry.- The 10th section of the law imperatively requires of you to ” make the enumeration by actual inquiry at every dwelling-house, or by personal inquiry of the head of every family, and not otherwise.

8. To Verify Returns.- In order to avoid error, or misapprehension, the entries you have made should be read to the party from whom they are obtained, and any error or omission should be promptly corrected or supplied.

9. You will be expected to complete the enumeration without any delay, and once in two weeks advise the Marshal of the progress you are making. Should accident befall you or sickness occur of a nature likely to interfere seriously with the timely prosecution of your duties, you should not on any account withhold information thereof from the Marshal.

10. Attestation.- You will sign your name on each page of the schedules, and certify and make oath or affirmation at the end of each set of the returns, that they were made according to your oath and the instructions, to the best of your knowledge and belief.

11. Disposition of Returns.- As soon as you have made one fair copy of all your returns and carefully compared it with the original, you will forward it without any delay to the Marshal of your district. When you have completed a second copy you will transmit that also to the Marshal, and you will file the original with the clerk of the county or parish, and forward his receipt therefor to the Marshal.

12. Deficiency of Schedules.- Discretion as to what schedules you will require is lodged with the Marshal, to whom you should make immediate representation of any deficiency for your subdivision. Schedule 2, relating to the slave population, will be omitted in the free States.

13. Address.- In the prosecution of your duties you will approach every family and individual of whom you solicit information, with civil and conciliatory manners, and adapt yourself as far as practicable to the circumstances of each, to secure confidence and good will, and as a means of obtaining the information desired with accuracy and despatch. The civil and polite prosecution of your duties you will find indispensable to the success of your efforts and the pleasure of your occupation.

Cause for offence was given by one or two indiscreet assistants engaged in taking the Seventh Census, by the liberty exercised in the unnecessary exposure of facts relating to the business and pursuits of individuals, the communication of intelligence obtained in the discharge of duty to persons who desired it for private advantage or pecuniary profit, or to newspapers. The officers engaged in this service should understand that they have no right to use or promulgate the information obtained for any purpose whatever. Although designed ultimately for the use of the people, the department reserves to itself the privilege of examining into and determining the correctness of the returns and their proper arrangement for publication by Congress, and you are to consider the facts communicated as obtained exclusively for the use of the government, and not in any way to be used for the gratification of curiosity or your private advantage or emolument. You are employed in this service as the agents of the government in a confidential capacity, and you should never betray insensibility to this relation.

The manuscript copies filed with the county and State officers are the property of the government, and while it will doubtless be permitted every citizen to have access to them for the purpose of examining into any details of personal application, or for the purpose of suggesting any errors which may have occurred, no other use of them will be sanctioned. The returns deposited with the county records are thus disposed of to be reclaimed in case of the lose of the copies transmitted to this office, and to enable persons interested to make correction of errors, but for no other purpose, and they continue the property of the government.

Special Instructions

SCHEDULE No. I.- FREE INHABITANTS.

In filling up this schedule, first enter on a sheet the pages, then fill up the blanks in the heading in their proper order, commencing with the less division, as town, township, ward, or borough; then the name of the county and State, with the date of taking; after that enter your own name and record the name of the post office of the vicinage. Every day you will change the date and on every page write your name. All the other entries are to be repeated so long as the returns apply, but the moment you enter upon another town, township, ward, borough, or county, you must change the heading to correspond. (Inasmuch as these directions are equally applicable to other schedules, as will appear on their face, they need not be repeated, although to be observed as if they were reiterated.)

1. Dwelling houses unnumbered.– Under heading 1, insert in numerical order the number of dwelling houses occupied by free inhabitants, as they are visited. The first house you enter is to be No. 1, the second No. 2, and so on to the last house in your subdivision. The numbering of houses is to be continuously maintained, without regard to minor divisions, from the first to the last house included in your work, so that your last entry will express the whole number of dwelling houses in your subdivision. By “dwelling house” is meant a separate tenement, inhabited or uninhabited, and may contain one or more families under one roof. Where several tenements are in one block with walls to separate them, having different entrances, they are each to be numbered separately, but where not so divided they are to be enumerated as one house. Houses which are tenantable but without inhabitants, are to be returned and numbered, but represented as unoccupied, in column 3, while no number is to be entered in column No. 2. If a house is used partly for a store or other purpose and partly for a dwelling, it is to be numbered as a dwelling house. Hotels, poor houses, garrisons, hospitals, asylums, jails, penitentiaries and establishments of kindred character, are to be numbered, and if they consist of a group of several houses, each is to be numbered separately, while you will use particular care to write longitudinally in the column the designation or description of the house, and specify particularly and clearly whether it or they be poor house, hotel, hospital, etc.

2. Families.– Under heading 2, entitled “Families numbered in the order of visitation,” insert the number of families of free persons as they are visited. By the term family” is meant either one person living separately and alone in a house, or a part of a house, and providing for him- or herself, or several persons living together in a house, or part of a house,” upon one common means of support and separately from others in similar circumstances. A widow living alone and separately providing for herself, or two hundred individuals living together and provided for by a common head, should each be numbered as one family. The resident inmates of a hotel, jail, garrison, hospital, or other similar institution, should be recorded as one family, unless there be several tenements or distinct families, in which case they should be separated. There may be several families in a garrison, in which case they should be recorded distinct, but should all, by a marginal note, be embraced as of or belonging to such garrison.

3. Individual Names.– Under heading 3, entitled “The name of every person whose usual place of abode on the 1st day of June, 1860, was in this family,” insert the name of every free person in each family, of every age, including the names of those temporarily absent on a journey, visit, or for the purposes of education, as well as those that were at home on that day. The name of any member of a family who may have died since the 1st day of June is to be entered and the person described as if living, but the name of any person born since the 1st day of June is to be omitted. The names are to be written beginning with the father and mother, or, if either or both be dead, begin with some other ostensible head of the family, to be followed, as far as practicable, with the name of the oldest child residing at home, then the next oldest, and so on to the youngest, then the other inmates, lodgers, and boarders, laborers, domestics, and servants.

All landlords, jailors, superintendents of poor-houses, garrisons, hospitals, asylums, and other similar institutions, are to be considered as heads of their respective families, and the inmates under their care to be registered as members thereof, and the details concerning each, designated. in their proper columns, so distinctly as to preclude any doubt as to who for the family proper and who the guests, prisoners, or other inmates, carefully omitting all transient persons.

4. By “place of abode” is meant the house or usual lodging place of persons. Any one who is temporarily absent on a visit or journey, or for other purposes, with the intention of again returning, is to be considered a member of the family to which he belongs, and not of that where he may be temporarily sojourning; and care should be exercised to make full inquiry for such absentees, that none may be omitted on your lists whose names should properly appear there.

5. Indians.– Indians not taxed are not to be enumerated. The families of Indians who have renounced tribal rule, and who under State or Territorial laws exercise the rights of citizens, are to be enumerated. In all such cases write “Ind.” opposite their names, in column 6, under heading “Color.”

6. Eating-houses, Stores, Shops, Etc.– You will make inquiry at all stores, shops, eating-houses, and all similar places, and take the name and description of every free person who usually slept there previous to or about the 1st day of June, provided such person be not otherwise enumerated.

Ships and vessels.– Persons on board any description of ships or vessels accidentally or temporarily in port; those who are temporarily boarding at a sailor’s boarding or lodging-house, if they belong to other places, are not to be enumerated in your district. All seafaring people are to be enumerated at their land homes, or usual place of abode, whether they be present or at sea; and if any free persons live on vessels or boats, acknowledging no other home, they are to be enumerated as belonging to the place where they have been engaged, shipped, or hired; and Assistants should make inquiry respecting all vessels employed in the internal navigation of the United States, and thus enumerate all who are not recorded as belonging to some family on shore; and all persons of such description, in any one vessel, are to be considered as belonging to one family and the vessel as their place of abode.

7. Ages.– Under heading 4, entitled “Age,” insert in figures what was the specific age of each person at his or her last birth day previous to the 1st day of June, opposite the name of such person. Where the exact age cannot be ascertained insert a number which shall be the nearest approximation thereto. The exact or estimated age of every individual is to be recorded. If the person be a child under one year old, born previous to the 1st day of June, the entry is to be made by the fractional parts of a year, thus: one month, 1/12; two months, 2/12; and so on to eleven months, 11/12. Omit months in all cases where the person is of one year and upwards.

8. Sex.– Under heading 5, entitled “Sex,” insert the letter “m”for male, and “f” for female, opposite the name, in all cases, as the fact may be.

9. Color.– Under heading 6, entitled “Color,” in all cases where the person is white leave the space blank; in all cases where the person is black without admixture insert the letter “B;”if a mulatto, or of mixed blood, write “M;”if an Indian, write “Ind.” It is very desirable to have these directions carefully observed.

10. Profession, Trade, and Occupation– Under head 7, entitled “Profession, occupation, or trade of each person over fifteen years of age,” insert the specific profession, occupation, or trade the individual being enumerated is reputed to follow. The proprietor of a farm for the time being, who pursues agriculture professionally or practically, is to be recorded as a farmer; the men who are employed for wages by him are to be termed farm laborers. The members, or inmates, of a family employed in domestic duties at wages you will record as “servants,” or “serving,” or “domestic,” according to the custom of the vicinage.

A mechanic who employs others under him is to be termed differently from the one employed. The first is a master mechanic, and should be termed “master mason,” “master carpenter,” etc., as the case may be, and you should be very particular in designating the employers or master mechanics from the workmen or employed. Where persons (over 15) are learning trades or serving apprenticeship, they should be recorded as “apprentices,” with the name of the trade whereunto they are apprenticed. The employment of every person over 15, having an occupation, should be asked and recorded. In every case insert the kind of labor and nature of apprenticeship.

When the individual is a clergyman, insert the initials of the denomination to which he belongs — as Meth. for Methodist; R.C. for Roman Catholic; O.S.P., Old School Presbyterian; P.E., Protestant Episcopal; or other appropriate designation, as the case may require. If a person follows several occupations, insert the name of the most prominent. If the person should be a teacher or professor, state the character of the occupation, as teacher of French, of common school; professor of mathematics, of languages, of philosophy, etc. In fine, record the occupation of every human being, male and female, (over 15,) who has an occupation or means of living, and let your record be so clear as to leave no doubt on the subject.

12. Value of Real Estate.– Under heading 8, insert the value of real estate owned by each individual enumerated. You are to obtain this information by personal inquiry of each head of a family, and are to insert the amount in dollars, be the estate located where it may. You are not to consider any question of lien or encumbrance it is simply your duty to enter the value as given by the respondent.

13. Value of Personal Estate.– Under heading 9, insert (in dollars) the value of personal property or estate. Here you are to include the value of all the property, possessions, or wealth of each individual which is not embraced in the column previous, consist of what it may; the value of bonds, mortgages, notes, slaves, live stock, plate, jewels, or furniture; in fine, the value of whatever constitutes the personal wealth of individuals. Exact accuracy may not be arrived at, but all persons should be encouraged to give a near and prompt estimate for your information. Should any respondent manifest hesitation or unwillingness to make a free reply on this or any other subject, you will direct attention to Nos. 6 and 13 of your general instructions and the 15th section of the law.

14. Birth Place.– Under heading 10, you are to insert the place of birth of every individual whose name you record. If born in the State or Territory of their present residence, insert the name, abbreviation, or initials of such State or Territory. If born out of the United States, insert the name of the country of birth. Tp insert simply Germany would not be deemed a sufficiently specific localization of birth place, unless no better can be had. The particular German State should be given– as Baden, Bavaria, Hanover. Where the birth place cannot be ascertained, write “unknown” in the proper column; but it must be of rare occurrence that the place of birth may not be understood. You should ascertain the exact birth place of children as well as of parents, and not infer because parents were born in Baden that so also were the children.

15. Married during the Year.– Under heading 11, you are to make a dash (1) opposite the name of each person, male and female, married within the year previous to June 1; that is, of all persons who are residents, and whose names are entered on the schedule.

16. At School.– Under heading 12, entitled “At school within the year,” you should insert a (1) opposite the names of all those, whether male or female, who are or have been in educational institutions, or who have been receiving stated instruction in any manner within the year; those whose education has been limited to Sunday schools are not to be included.

17. Number who cannot Read and Write.– Under heading 13, entitled “Persons over 20 years who cannot read and write,” you should be careful to designate every person in the family of this description; and it will be your duty to inquire whether any inmate of the family, being a free person over 20 years of age, is unable to read and write, and opposite the names of all such you will make a mark thus (1). If the person can read and write in a foreign or in our own language, the space is to be left blank.

18. Deaf and Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic, Pauper, Convict.– It will be your duty to inquire whether there be any persons of the above description in the family you are enumerating, and if any, you must, under heading 14, indicate opposite the name of such person, the fact as it may be. A person is to be noted deaf and dumb who was born deaf, or who lost the faculty of hearing before acquiring the use of speech. If a person be blind from a known cause, it would be well to insert the cause in the column or on the margin. Partial blindness should not be noted. The various degrees of insanity often create a doubt as to the propriety of thus classifying individuals, and demands the exercise of discretion. A person may be reputed erratic on some subject, but if competent to manage his or her business affairs without manifesting any symptoms of insanity to an ordinary observer, such person should not be recorded as insane. Where persons are in institutions for safety or restoration, there can exist no doubt as to how you should classify them. As a general rule, the term Insanity applies to individuals who have once possessed mental faculties which have become impaired ; whereas Idiocy applies to persons who have never possessed vigorous mental faculties, but from their birth have manifested aberration. The cases wherein it may be difficult to distinguish between insanity and idiocy are not numerous; should such occur, however, you may rely on the opinion of any physician to whom the case is known. It is to be hoped you will not fail to make record respecting all these classes or persons who may be in your subdivision. In all cases of insane persons, you will write in the space where you enter the word “Insane,” the cause of such insanity; and you will in every ease inquire into the cause or origin thereof, and write the word– as intemperance, spiritualism, grief, affliction, hereditary, misfortune, etc. As nearly every case of insanity may be traced to some known cause, it is earnestly desired that you will not fail to make your return in this respect as perfect as possible. If say person whose name you record be at the time, or within the year, so indigent or destitute of the means of support as to require the support of the community, obtained either by alms-begging or public maintenance, by taxation or poor fund, you are to write the word “pauper” in column 14, on a line with the name of such person. When persons who have been convicted of crime within the year resided, on the 1st of June, in any family you enumerate, the fact should be stated by giving in column 14, on a line with the name, the character of the crime; but as such an interrogatory might give offence you had better, where you can do so, refer to the county records for the information, but use care in applying the crime to the proper individual on the schedule. Of course, you are not to insert the name (or crime) of any person who died previous to the 1st day of June on this schedule, but may do so on the schedule of mortality. With the county or parish record, and your own knowledge, you will be able to make this return very correctly without occasioning offence by personal inquiry of individuals. Respecting persons in confinement you will experience no difficulty.

Should a poor-house, asylum for the blind, insane, idiotic, or other charitable institution, or a penitentiary, jail, house of refuge or reformation, or other place of punishment be visited, you must number each building or buildings in their regular order, and write in perpendicular column No. 1, the nature of such institution, and in column 14, opposite the name of each inmate, you must state the character of the infirmity or misfortune, in the one case, and in the other the nature of the crime for which each inmate is confined and of which the party stands convicted, and in the column with the name give the year when convicted.

The remaining columns, respecting age, sex, color, etc., you must fill with as much care as in other cases. The prison records of these institutions will generally supply the facts required, and, where they do, may be relied on.

The foregoing schedule will serve as your guide for nearly all the entries you will be required to make on the population sheet, and you are requested to study it carefully.

SCHEDULE No. 2.-SLAVE INHABITANTS.

This schedule is to be filled up in the following manner: The heading is to be filled up in all respects after the manner of Schedule No, 1, omitting only the name of post office.

1. Owners of Slaves.– Under heading No. I insert, in proper consecutive order, the names of all owners of slaves. When slaves are the property of a corporation, enter the name of the corporation. If held in trust for persons who have attained to their majority, whose names as owners do not elsewhere appear, the names of such persons way be entered, or their number, as “John Smith and two others;” always provided that the “others” do not appear as owners in other places. If held in trust for minors, give the number of such minors. The desire is to obtain a true return of the number of owners.

2. Number of Slaves.– Under heading 2, entitled “Number of slaves,” insert, in regular numerical order, the number of all the slaves, of both sexes. and of every age, belonging to the owner whose name you have recorded. In the case of slaves, numbers are to be substituted for names. The description of every slave, as numbered, is to be recorded, and you are to enumerate such slaves as may be temporarily absent, provided they are usually held to service in your subdivision.

The slaves of each owner are to be numbered separately, beginning with the older at No. 1. The person in whose charge, or on whose plantation the slave is found to be employed may return all slaves in his charge, (although they may be owned by other persons,) provided they are not returned by their proper owner. The name of the bona fide owner should be returned as proprietor, and the name of the person having them in charge as employer.

3. Ages.– Under heading 3, entitled “Age,” insert, in figures, the specific age of each slave opposite the number of such slave. If the exact age cannot be ascertained insert a number which shall be the nearest approximation thereto. The exact or estimated age of every slave in to be inserted. If the slave be a child which on the 1st day of June was less than one year old the entry is to be made by fractional parts of a year, as directed in Rule 7, Schedule 1. Slaves who (born previously) have died since the 1st day of June are to be entered as living, and all details respecting them to be given with as much care as if the slave were living, You an desired to give the names of all slaves whom age reaches or exceeds 100 years.

4. Sex.– Under heading 4, opposite each number, insert “m” for male, and “f” for female, in all cases, as the fact way be. In the case of slaves it is very essential that the sex be specified, because of the entire omission of name. The compensation for all returns where this fact is omitted will be reduced.

5. Color.– Under heading 5, entitled “Color,” insert, in all cases where the slave is black, the letter “B.” When he or she is a mulatto insert “M.” You are to note the color of every slave. Those who are in any degree of mixed blood are to be termed mulatto, “M.”

6. Fugitives.– Under heading 6 insert, in figures, opposite the name of the owner, a mark or number designating the fugitives who, having escaped within the year, have not been returned to their owners. Such fugitives are to be described as fully as if in possession of their masters. No allusion is to be made respecting such as may have absconded subsequent to the 1st day of June; they are to be recorded as if in possession of their proper owners.

7. No. Manumitted.– In column No. 7, insert opposite the name of the former owner thereof the number of slaves manumitted within the year ending on the 1st day of June. The name of the person is to be given although at the time of the enumeration, or on the 1st day of June, such person may have held no slaves. The description of all the slaves manumitted may or may not be given at your pleasure, but the number manumitted must be clearly expressed. If you describe them separately, write “manumitted” under the name of the former owner in a line with each one described. If the former owner of slaves manumitted within the year should have died or removed, such circumstance is not to obviate the necessity of their enumeration as directed.

8. Deaf and Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic.– You should be particular in every instance to inquire whether any slave comes within the above description, and, if so insert the fact in column 8, opposite the number and general description of such slave. If slaves be found imprisoned convicts, mention the crime in column 8, and the date of conviction in the vacant space No. 1. By carefully observing the following schedule, you will experience no difficulty in making proper returns:

9. Number of Slave Houses.– In column 9 you will insert the number of slave tenements or dwellings on every farm and plantation, and in every family where slaves are held you will inquire what number of separate tenements are occupied by slaves, and you will insert the number in every instance on a line with the last slave described as belonging to the person or estate whereof you are instituting inquiry. We wish by this column to learn the number of occupied houses, the abode of slaves, belonging to each slaveholder.

Tuesday, 1 May: Human Rights and American Women. 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. State Historical Society of Iowa Centennial Building, 402 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City.

Students of University of Iowa Professor Linda K. Kerber will present their original research. Kerber’s students have used library and archival materials from the Iowa Women’s Archive and the State Historical Society of Iowa to investigate cases where human rights issues were at stake. Their lectures will reveal untold stories of how American women and their families have faced challenges to citizenship, identity, and human rights in Iowa and the Midwest. Call (319) 335-3911 for more information. Website: http://www.iowahistory.org

Thursday, 3 May: Getting Ready for a Research Road Trip. 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.  Iowa Genealogical Society, 628 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines. Cost: $5 IGS members/$10 non-members. Linda Greethurst, instructor. Contact IGS: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org. Website: http://www.iowagenealogy.org.

Saturday, May 5: Ancestry.com Class. 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Iowa Genealogical Society, 628 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines. Cost: $5 IGS members/$10 non-members. Theresa Liewer, instructor. Learn how to take advantage of this online database and evaluate what you find. Preregistration required. Contact IGS: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org. Website: http://www.iowagenealogy.org.

Saturday, May 5: Civil War Lecture Series—Iowa Troops in Dakota Territory. 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, 503 South Street, Waterloo. Cost: Museum admission fee—Adults, $10/children ages 4 – 13, $5.

Dr. Terrance Lindell will speak on the Iowa Troops in Dakota Territory during the Civil War. Following the outbreak of the Dakota War in Minnesota in 186, fourteen companies of Iowa troops served in the territory and engaged in operations against Native American tribes deemed hostile by the U. S. government. These operations include the Battle of Whitestone Hill in 1863 and the Battle of Killdeer Mountain in 1864.Dr. Terrance Lindell teaches American History at Wartburg College. His recent research has focused on the participation of Iowans in the Civil War. Contact: Annette Freeseman, 319-234-6357. Website: http://www.groutmuseumdistrict.org/sullivan/general.cfm

Thursday – Saturday, May 10 – 12, 17 – 19: Somewhere in Time: IGS Wedding Memories Exhibit. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. West Wing, Iowa Genealogical Society Library, 628 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines. Cost: $5 donation requested at the door.

The Iowa Genealogical Society invites you to participate in a very special event. This fundraiser exhibit features IGS member heirloom wedding dresses, apparel and accessories, along with photographs and wedding stories.Wedding dates range from 1863 to the present. All funds raised benefit the programs and services of IGS. Be part of this unique and memorable event!

Contact IGS: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org. Website: http://www.iowagenealogy.org.

Saturday, May 12: Grand Opening “Building America.” Union Pacific Railroad Museum, 200 Pearl Street, Council Bluffs. Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed Sunday – Monday. Free.

Since opening in the Carnegie Library in Council Bluffs in 2003, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum’s first floor has been dedicated to sharing the experience of building the Transcontinental Railroad. The new exhibit takes the telling of this story to an entirely new level. With a new immersive design and cutting-edge technology, visitors will be transported to the 1860s as they learn about frontier life, the monumental work needed for constructing the railroad and the communities that were created along its route.

“Using video gaming technology never before seen in a museum application, the “Building America” exhibit will allow us to put visitors to work at the scene of the transcontinental railroad construction,” said Patricia LaBounty, outreach and collections manager, Union Pacific Railroad Museum. “From entering a tunnel at Donner Summit to trying their hand at driving a spike, visitors will see this 19th Century feat of technology and engineering come to life as never before.”

Key components of the “Building America” exhibit includes the use of Kinect full-body gaming technology to create a truly “immersive” experience for visitors.

• More than 200 artifacts, some dating back to the 1860s
• 55 pieces from the museum’s firearm collection
• 60 railroad lanterns
• 64 stereographic images from the building of the transcontinental railroad

Union Pacific Railroad provided funding for this renovation, with assistance from the Iowa West Foundation and The Friends of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. Contact: 712-329-8307. Website: http://www.uprrmuseum.org/

Saturday, May 19: Preparing for Military Records. 1 p. m. – 2:30 p.m. Iowa Genealogical Society, 628 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines. Cost: $5 IGS members/$10 non-members. Preregistration required. Janet Myers, instructor. There have been many conflicts throughout history; it is likely your ancestors were involved! Contact IGS: 515-276-0287; igs@iowagenealogy.org. Website: http://www.iowagenealogy.org.

Saturday-Sunday, May 19 – 20: Battle of Old Bradford—Civil War Reenactment. Saturday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday; Sunday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Old Bradford Pioneer Village, Nashua. Free.

Come join history and visit with the actors in their authentic uniforms and dress. This is a great experience for adults and youth alike. A pancake breakfast will be served on Sunday morning, at the Little Brown Church, Freewill offering. Contact: 641-435-2567. Website: http://www.chickasawtourism.com

Saturday, May 26: Remembering the Fallen: Old Fort Madison’s Bicentennial Memorial Dedication. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Old Fort Madison, Riverview Park, Ft. Madison.

Join the staff and volunteers of Old Fort Madison for a living history weekend dedicated to remembering those that gave their lives at Fort Madison between 1808 and 1813. Re-enactors representing both sides of the War of 1812 will be demonstrating their weapons, drill, clothing, equipment and living conditions.

On May 28, there will be a memorial and interpretive sign dedication on the actual battlefield, as well as a display of artifacts (including an original uniform) uncovered by the Office of the State Archaeologist of Iowa and walking interpretive tour of the original site. For more information, please call Dr. Eugene Watkins at 319-372-7700 x 275 or visit www.fortmadison.com.

Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence, Missouri

One of the finest libraries in the Midwest is located in Independence, Missouri, and makes for a great family history research road trip.

The Midwest Genealogy Center is located at 3440 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, Missouri. It’s easy to find: take Exit 14 north from I-70 about 1½ miles on Lee’s Summit Road to South Kiger Road. Turn left — you’ll see the library right away.

This beautiful, state-of-the art, user-friendly library was built in 2008 and houses an extensive and diverse collection of family history resources. Not at all limited to Missouri resources, you can investigate over 70,000 reference volumes covering a broad range of topics for many states, including Iowa: compiled state records, local histories, family genealogies, maps, and more, including over 59,000 rolls of microfilm.

Truly a 21^st century facility,  there are plenty of tables and large work spaces to spread out your project, with handy plug-ins for your laptop, wifi access, and copy centers.

The staff is pleasant, kind and helpful—don’t hesitate to ask for assistance in getting acquainted with the collection. It can be a bit overwhelming until you learn to navigate the catalog and shelving system.

Only residents may get a free library card. Out-of-district cards for Kansas and Missouri residents cost $60 per year. Other U.S. citizens can get a six-month “Research Card” for $30. But you don’t need any kind of library card to visit and use the library—access is free!

Be sure you plan ahead for this type of research—know what you want to find, go online and search the library’s catalog, then make a list of sources to look for and construct a solid research plan. You won’t want to waste time wandering around trying to decide what’s available for your particular needs.

Can’t make the trip? The Midwest Genealogy Center is part of the Mid-Continent Public Library system; some resources are available through interlibrary loan. Check their catalog or consult with your local librarian for more information about borrowing books.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m.–5 p.m.

Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, Missouri 64055. Phone: 816-252-7228. Website: www.midwestgenealogycenter.org.

Company D, 7th Iowa Volunteer Infantry

Here is something you won’t want to miss! The State Historical Society announces a new exhibit– Iowa and the Civil War: Nothing But Victory, opening Saturday, 14 April 2012, at the State Historical Museum, 600 East Locust, Des Moines.

Discover the stories of Iowa and those who served during America’s bloodiest conflict. With more than 300 authentic artifacts and documents, this 10,000 square-foot exhibition recounts the first-hand experiences of Iowans at war and the communities that supported them.

See the historic battle flags Iowa troops carried into battle and the actual weaponry – cannons, guns and swords – they used while fighting in some of the most important events and turning points of the Civil War.

The State Historical Museum of Iowa is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Noon-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public. Call 515-281-5111 for more information.

EXHIBIT OPENING DAY EVENTS, Saturday, April 14, 2012

9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., ongoing:

Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will interact with guests and visitors.

State Senator Dennis Black will be available to sign copies of his book, “Profiles of Valor: Iowa’s Medal of Honor Recipients of the Civil War.”

The Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award, is given for distinguished gallantry during hostile action and is presented by the President of the United States in the name of Congress.

2:30 p.m.:

Dr. Tom Morain and Dr. William Juhnke of Graceland University will kick off the “Iowa and the Civil War” speaker series at 2:30 p.m. with “Point/Counterpoint: Was the Civil War Necessary?”

During the presentation, Morain and Juhnke take opposing positions to explore several of the contentious issues leading up to the first shots of the Civil War fired on Fort Sumter in 1861. As the United States commemorates the 150th anniversary of the conflict that tore the nation apart, they ask hard questions:

Was it really an “irrepressible conflict” or could bolder political proposals have averted the bloodshed that cost 600,000 Americans their lives? What options did Lincoln have as President-elect when South Carolina voted to secede from the Union? Why did each side underestimate their opponents’ determination to fight? Why didn’t the North let the South go its way and avoid the incredible bloodshed?

Morain and Juhnke invite the public into the debate as they explore the tense political climate of 1860-61 and demonstrate how historians can disagree without being disagreeable.

In 1876, Census Bureau headquarters is listed as being located in room 20 of "Wright's Building" at the corner of G and 8th Streets, NW. U.S. Census Bureau photo.

The 1870 federal census was the first following the Civil War, and the first to reflect emancipation. This was also the first time Native Americans were counted with the regular population, unless they lived on reservations.

The “as of” date was 1 June 1870. Special questions to note:

• If born within the year (1 June 1869 – 31 May 1870) state month
• If married within the year (1 June 1869 – 31 May 1870) state month
• Are mother/father of foreign birth?
• Male citizens  of U.S. age 21 and upwards
• Male citizens of U.S. age 21 and upwards whose right to vote was denied or abridges on other grounds than rebellion or other crime.

The citizenship questions are in reference to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law for men regardless of race.

Here’s the complete list of questions, twenty in all:

1.  Dwelling houses and number in order of visitation.

2.  Families numbered in the order of visitation.

3.  The name of every person whose place of abode on the 1st day of June, 1870, was in this family.

Description:

4.  Age at last birthday. If under 1 year, give months in fractions, thus, 3/12.

5.  Sex – Males (M), females (F).

6.  Color – White (W), black (B), mulatto (M), Chinese (C), Indian (I).

7.  Profession, occupation, or trade of each person, male or female.

Value of real estate owned:

8.  Value of real estate.

9.  Value of personal estate.

10.  Place of birth, naming the state or territory of the United States, or the country, if of foreign birth.

Parentage:

11.  Father of foreign birth.

12.  Mother of foreign birth.

13.  If born within the year, state month (Jan., Feb., etc.).

14.  If married within the year, state month (Jan., Feb., etc.).

Education:

15.  Attended school within the year.

16.  Can not read.

17.  Can not write.

18.  Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic.

Constitutional relations:

19.  Male citizens of United States of 21 years of age and upwards.

20.  Male citizens of United States of 21 years of age and upwards, whose right to vote is denied or abridged on other grounds than rebellion or other crime.

Instructions to Enumerators:

SCHEDULE 1.-INHABITANTS.

Numbering.-Dwelling houses and families will be numbered consecutively, in order as visited, until the township, borough, or parish (or ward of a city) is completed, when a new numbering will begin, as in the case with the numbering of pages.

Dwelling houses.-By “dwelling house” is meant a house standing alone, or separated by walls from other houses in a block. Only such buildings are to be reckoned as dwelling houses as have been used as the entire habitation of a family. But houses only temporarily uninhabited are to be returned and numbered in order. In that case a dash, thus (-), will be drawn through column No. 2, and the remaining spaces on the line be left blank. Hotels, poorhouses, garrisons, asylums, jails, and similar establishments, where the inmates live habitually under a single roof, are to be regarded as single dwelling houses for the purposes of the census. The character of such establishments should be written longitudinally in the column.

Eating houses, stores, shops, etc.-Very many persons, especially in cities, have no other place of abode than stores, shops, etc.; places which are not primarily intended for habitation. Careful inquiry will be made to include this class and such buildings will be reckoned as dwelling houses within the intention of the census law; but a watchman, or clerk belonging to a family resident in the same town or city, and sleeping in such store or shop merely for purposes of security, will be enumerated as of his family.

Families.-By “family (column 2) is meant one or more persons living together and provided for in common. A single person, living alone in a distinct part of a house, may constitute a family; while, on the other hand, all the inmates of a boarding house or a hotel will constitute but a single family, though there may be among them many husbands with wives and children. Under whatever circumstances, and in whatever numbers, people live together under one roof, and are provided for at a common table, there is a family in the meaning of the law.

Names of individuals.-In column 3 will be entered the name of every person in each family, of whatever age, including the names of such as were temporarily absent on the 1st day of June, 1870. The name of any member of the family who may have died between the 1st day of June, 1870, and the day of the assistant marshal’s visit is to be entered, and the person fully described, as if living; but the name of any person born during that period is to be omitted. The name of the father, mother, or other ostensible head ofthe family (in the case of hotels, jails, etc., the landlord, jailor, etc.) is to be entered first of the family. The family name is to be written first in the column, and the full first or characteristic Christian or “given” name of each member of the family in order thereafter. So long as the family name remains the same for the several members it need not be repeated, provided a clear horizontal line be drawn in the place it would occupy, thus:

Smith, John.
_____ Elizabeth.

Place of abode.-By “place of abode” s meant the house or usual lodging place. All persons temporarily absent on journey or visit are to be counted as of the family; but children and youth absent for purposes of education on the 1st of June, and having their home in a family where the school or college is situated, will be enumerated at the latter place.

Seafaring men are to be reported at their land homes, no matter how long they may have been absent, if they are supposed to be still alive. Hence, sailors temporarily at a sailors’ boarding or lodging house, if they acknowledge any other home within the United States, are not to be included in the family of the lodging or boarding house. Persons engaged in internal transportation, canal men, expressmen, railroad men, etc., if they habitually return to their homes in the intervals of their occupation, will be reported as of their families, and not where they may be temporarily staying on the 1st of June.

PERSONAL DESCRIPTION

Columns 4, 5, and 6, must, in every case, be filled with the age, sex, or color of the person enumerated. No return will be accepted when these spaces are left blank.

Ages.-The exact age, in figures, will be inserted in column 4, wherever the same can be obtained; otherwise, the nearest approximation thereto. Where the age is a matter of considerable doubt, the assistant marshal may make a note to that effect. Children, who, on the 1st of June, 1870, were less than a year old, will have their age stated by the fractional part of the year, as (one month) 1-12, (three months) 3-12, (nine months) 9-12, etc. In all other cases, months will be omitted. The age taken is the age at last birthday.

Color.-It must not be assumed that, where nothing is written in this column, “White” is to be understood. The column is always to be filled. Be particularly careful in reporting the class Mulatto. The word is here generic, and includes quadroons, octoroons, and all persons having any perceptible trace of African blood. Important scientific results depend upon the correct determination of this class in schedules 1 and 2.

(For reporting occupation, see remarks at the close of the instructions in regard to this schedule.)

Property.-Column 8 will contain the value of all real estate owned by the person enumerated, without any deduction on account of mortgage or other incumbrance, whether within or without the census subdivision or the country. The value meant is the full market value, known or estimated.

“Personal estate,” column 9, is to be inclusive of all bonds, stocks, mortgages, notes, live stock, plate, jewels, or furniture, but exclusive of wearing apparel. No report will be made when the personal property is under $100.

Column 10 will contain the “Place of birth” of every person named upon the schedule. If born within the United States, the State or Territory will be named, whether it be the State or Territory in which the person is at present residing or not. If of foreign birth, the country will be named as specifically as possible. Instead of writing “Great Britain” as the place of birth, give the particular country, as England, Scotland, Wales. Instead of “Germany,” specify the State, as Prussia, Baden, Bavaria, Wurttemburg, Hesse Darmstadt, etc.

The inquiries in columns numbered 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20 are of such a nature that these columns only require to be filled when the answer to the inquiry is “Yes.” If the person being enumerated had a father or mother of foreign birth; if he or she attended school during the year; if he or she can not read or can not write; if he is a citizen of the United States above the age of 21, and if, being such citizen, his right to vote is denied or abridged on other grounds than participation in rebellion or crime, then an affirmative mark, thus, (/), will be drawn in each of the above columns opposite the name.

Education.-It will not do to assume that, because a person can read, he can, therefore, write. The inquiries contained in columns 16 and 17 must be made separately. Very many persons who will claim to be able to read, though they really do so in the most defective manner, will frankly admit that they can not write. These inquiries will not be asked of children under 10 years of age. In regard to all persons above that age, children or adults, male and female, the information will be obtained.

At school.-It is not intended to include those whose education has been limited to Sunday or evening schools.

Deaf and dumb, Blind, Insane, or Idiotic.-Great care will be taken in performing this work of enumeration, so as at once to secure completeness and avoid giving offense. Total blindness and undoubted insanity only are intended in this inquiry. Deafness merely, without the loss of speech, is not to be reported. The fact of idiocy will be better determined by the common consent of the neighborhood, than by attempting to apply any scientific measure to the weakness of the mind or will.

CONSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS

Upon the answers to the questions under this head will depend the distribution of representative power in the General Government. It is therefore imperative that this part of the enumeration should be performed with absolute accuracy. Every male person born within the United States, who has attained the age of 21 years, is a citizen of the United States by force of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution; also, all person born out of the limits and jurisdiction of the United States, whose fathers at the time of their birth were citizens of the United States (act of February 10, 1855); also, all persons born out of the limits and jurisdiction of the United States, who have been declared by judgment of court to have been duly naturalized, having taken out both “papers.”

The part of the enumerator’s duty which relates to column 19 is therefore easy, but it is none the less of importance. It is a matter of more delicacy to obtain the information required by column 20. Many persons never try to vote, and therefore do not know whether their right to vote is or is not abridged. It is not only those whose votes have actually been challenged, and refused at the polls for some disability or want of qualification, who must be reported in this column; but all who come within the scope of any State law denying or abridging suffrage to any class or individual on any other ground than participation in rebellion, or legal conviction of crime. Assistant marshals, therefore, will be required to carefully study the laws of their own States in these respects, and to satisfy themselves, in the case of each male citizen of the United States above the age of 21 years, whether he does or does not, come within one of these classes.

As the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting the exclusion from the suffrage of any person on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, has become the law of the land, all State laws working such exclusion have ceased to be of virtue. If any person is, in any State, still practically denied the right to vote by reason of any such State laws not repealed, that denial is merely an act of violence, of which the courts may have cognizance, but which does not come within the view of marshals and their assistants in respect to the census.

Indians.-”Indians not taxed” are not to be enumerated on schedule 1. Indians out of their tribal relations, and exercising the rights of citizens under State or Territorial laws, will be included. In all cases write “Ind.” in the column for “Color.” Although no provision is made for the enumeration of “Indians not taxed,” it is highly desirable, for statistical purposes, that the number of such persons not living upon reservations should be known. Assistant marshals are therefore requested, where such persons are found within their subdivisions, to make a separate memorandum of names, with sex and age, and embody the same in a special report to the census office.

Occupation.-The inquiry, “Profession, occupation, or trade,” is one of the most important questions of this schedule. Make a study of it. Take special pains to avoid unmeaning terms, or such as are too general to convey a definite idea of the occupation. Call no man a “factory hand” or a “mill operative.” State the kind of mill or factory. The better form of expression would be, “works in cotton mill,” “works in paper mill,” etc.. Do not call a man a “shoemaker,” “bootmaker,” unless he makes the entire boot or shoe in a small shop. If he works in (or for) a boot and shoe factory, say so.

Do not apply the word “jeweler” to those who make watches, watch chains, or jewelry in large manufacturing establishments.

Call no man a “commissioner,” a “collector,” an “agent,” an “artist,” an “overseer,” a “professor,” a “treasurer,” a “contractor,” or a “seculator,” without further explanation.

When boys are entered as apprentices, state the trade they are apprenticed to, as “apprenticed to carpenter,” “apothecary’s apprentice.”

When a lawyer, a merchant, a manufacturer, has retired from practice or business, say “retired lawyer,” “retired merchant,” etc. Distinguish between fire and life insurance agents.

When clerks are returned, describe them as “clerk in store,” “clerk in woolen mill,” “R.R. clerk,” “bank clerk,” etc.

Describe no man as “mechanic” if it possible to describe him more accurately.

Distinguish between stone masons and brick masons.

Do not call a bonnet maker a bonnet manufacturer, a lace maker a lace manufacturer, a chocolate maker a chocolate manufacturer. Reserve the term manufacturer for proprietors of establishments; always give the branch of manufacture.

Whenever merchants or traders can be reported under a single word expressive of their special line, as “grocer,” it should be done. Otherwise, say dry goods merchant, coal dealer, etc.

Add, in all cases, the class of business, as wholesale (wh.), retail (ret.), importer (imp.), jobber, etc.

Use the word huckster in all cases where it applies.

Be very particular to distinguish between farmers and farm laborers. In agricultural regions this should be one of the points to which the assistant marshal should especially direct his attention.

Confine the use of the words “glover,” “hatter,” and “furrier” to those who actually make, or make up, in their own establishments, all, or a part, of the gloves and hats or furs which they sell. Those who only sell these articles should be characterized as “glove dealer,” “hat and cap dealer,” “fur dealer.”

Judges (state whether Federal or State, whether probate, police, or otherwise) may be assumed to be lawyers, and that addition, therefore, need not be given; but all other officials should have their profession designated, if they have any, as “retired merchant, governor of Massachusetts,” “paper manufacturer, representative in legislature.” If anything is to be omitted, leave out the office, and put in the occupation.

As far as possible distinguish machinists, as “locomotive builders,” “engine builders,” etc.

Instead of saying, “packers,” indicate whether you mean “pork packers” or “crockery packers,” or “mule packers.”

The organization of domestic service has not proceeded so far in this country as to render it worth while to make distinction in the character of work. Report all as “domestic servants.”

Cooks, waiters, etc., in hotels and restaurants will be reported separately from domestic servants.

The term “housekeeper” will be reserved for such persons as receive distinct wages or salary for the service. Women keeping house for their own families or for themselves, without any other gainful occupation, will be entered as “keeping house.” Grown daughters assisting them will be reported without occupation.

You are under no obligation to give any man’s occupation just as he expresses it. If he can not tell intelligibly what it is, find out what he does, and characterize his profession accordingly.

The inquiry as to occupation will not be asked in respect to infants or children too young to take any part in production. Neither will the doing of domestic errands or family chores out of school be considered an occupation. “At home’ or “attending school” will be the best entry in the majority of cases. But if a boy or girl. whatever the age, is earning money regularly by labor, contributing to the family support, or appreciably assisting in mechanical or agricultural industry, the occupation should be stated.

Henry Clay, the Essential American

David S. and Jeanne T. Heidler, Henry Clay, The Essential American (New York: Random House, 2011), 495pp. Paperback. Available at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com, $18.00.

Taking a break from reading about U.S. presidents, I just finished a wonderful book by by David S. and Jeanne T. Heidler. Henry Clay, The Essential American is a beautifully written volume chronicling the lives and times of statesman Henry Clay.

The Heidlers truly bring Clay to life, and in the process weave a richly descriptive narrative of the politics, culture and historical events between 1777 and 1852. Their portrait of Clay is sympathetic, yet balanced, and I learned more about the times he lived in, and the presidents he served under, than I have from most of the presidential biographies I’ve read.

Henry Clay (1777 – 1852) was a Kentucky lawyer and politician who shaped the course of American history as much as any of the presidents he served under. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1811, he served three terms as Speaker and was later elected to the Senate, where he remained until his death in 1852. Between 1825 and 1829 he served as Secretary of State in John Quincy Adam’s administration.

Always a controversial figure, his powers of persuasion and oration were legendary. Clay helped formulate the “American System,” promoting protective tariffs to support infrastructure improvements and American industry. He supported colonization of freed blacks to Africa as a solution to the problem of slavery.

Known as “The Great Compromiser,” he helped shaped legislative measure such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, aimed at protecting the Union as the issues of slavery and sectionalism became increasingly polarizing. He opposed the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War, concerned that both would further inflame the issues of slavery and sectionalism.

Clay ran for president as a Whig in 1844 against James. K. Polk, defeated in part by his opposition to western expansion. He’s famous for saying “I’d rather be right than be president.”

He’s remembered as one of the “Great Triumvirate,” with colleagues Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun; and has also been called “The Lion of the Senate,” and the “Western Star”: all tributes to his remarkable abilities and mesmerizing orations.

As stellar as his political career was, his personal life is equally interesting. In 1799, Clay married Lucretia Hart and together they had eleven children. Tragedy marked their lives as seven of their children died during their lifetime, one was confined to an insane asylum, and others struggled with issues ranging from alcoholism to financial insolvency.

Henry Clay was an amazing man, but perhaps most amazing is the ability of the Heidlers to so successfully bring the “Essential American” to life. Their book is a definite “must read” for anyone who wants to increase their understanding of the forty years that preceded the Civil War.