Contributing Writer
Janet Wahlberg
Two more additions to the large collection of Non-Population Schedules are Mortality and Slave Schedules. These two schedules can help you to locate those who disappeared between the decennial census records and to open doors for those researching their Black ancestors.
First let’s talk about the Mortality schedules. These were conducted from 1850 -1880. They cover deaths for the 12 months preceding the decennial census records. The 1850 Federal Census was enumerated on June 1, 1850. So, for the 1850 Mortality Schedule, you would find deaths that occurred between June 1, 1849 and May 31, 1850. A word of caution, these deaths were reported by the surviving family members thus were subject to a couple of potential problems. Some deaths were probably never reported. Also, they may not have reported a death for several months after it occurred; therefore, the dates may not be correct. Example, John Smith died in January of 1849 and they did not report it until June 30. However, you will still have an approximate death date as well as additional data on your ancestor such as sex, race, and marital status, place of birth and cause of death. This information can help you to expand your research as well as assemble a health history of your family.
Slave Schedules were conducted only in 1850 and 1860 in the Utah Territory, New Jersey as well as the southern states. Unfortunately the slaves themselves were not named. The records show the name of the slave owner, the age, sex and color of the slaves. In addition the records may indicate if a slave has runaway or if they had been manumitted (freed). The 1860 Slave schedule included how many slave houses were on the property, giving some indication of the living conditions of the slaves.
These schedules can be used in combination with the 1870 Federal census to attempt to track your ancestors back into slavery. Example, in the 1870 census for Oxford, Mississippi you find your ancestor’s family consisting of a man 35 years old, a female 32 years old, a male 16 years old and a female 14 years old that you are certain are your ancestors. Now look in the same area in the 1860 census for a slave owner that has the same last name as your ancestors. Does he own a male 25 years old, a female 22 years old a male 6 years old and a female 4 years old? There is a good chance that this is your family during slavery.
Slave records can also be used to locate ancestors who were slave owners, both black and white. While not a pleasant discovery, it allows us to find out the full story of our family’s past.
I recommend that you read the articles found at Family Search and Ancestry on these schedules as it will give you the states where records exist and also what is currently available on line. In addition, for those of you who are members of Ancestry, there is a learning program on Ancestry Academy titled Non-Population Schedules. Next month we will finish up this series of articles with a discussion of the Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Schedules.
To read Janet Walberg’s previous genealogy columns or to delve deeper into her writings and insights for searching out and recording your own family’s genealogy, please go to jamestowngazette.com and visit Janet’s own web page.