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ÒAbout the 1850 U.S. CensusÓ
New
& Different in the 1850 Census
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The 1850 census was the
first to record each person's name (not just head of household), specific age,
occupation of those over age 15, place of birth, and value of real estate.
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Prior to 1850, children
and spouses were counted within age categories and not named individually.
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Five new states -
Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin and California - were added for the 1850 census,
for a total of 31 states.
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Four new territories
were included: Oregon Territory, Minnesota Territory, New Mexico Territory and
Utah Territory. No enumeration was conducted for the Unorganized Territory of
the Great Plains, however.
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Schedules of slave
inhabitants were taken in the Southern states, naming only the slave owner and
indicating if a slave was black or mulatto, and his or her sex and age. (1850
slave census http://tiny.cc/whFMU)
(http://www.genealogical.com/products/The%201850%20Census%20of%20Georgia%20Slave%20Owners/9248.html)
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The 1850 census also
includes a mortality schedule, giving information about individuals who died
within the previous twelve months, and an agricultural schedule, completed for
farms and plantations with an annual produce value of at least $100.
Columnar headings in the 1850 census
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Name, age, and sex of
each individual in the household
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Color or race of each
individual (white, black, or mulatto)
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Profession, occupation,
or trade of each individual over age fifteen
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Value of real estate
owned by each individual
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Place of birth (state,
territory, or country)
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Whether married within
the year
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Whether attended school
within the year
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Whether able to read and
write, if over twenty years old
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Whether deaf and dumb,
blind, insane, idiotic, a pauper or a convict
Source: About the 1850 U.S. Census - http://dir.genealogytoday.com/census/1850/index.html