1880 Federal Population Census

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• Title	1880 Federal Population Census
  Short Title	1880 United States Federal Census
  Author	United States. Census Office. 10th Census
  Publisher	Washington, District of Columbia: National Archives and Records Service, [19--]
  Repository	Ancestry.com
  Source ID	S33
  Linked to	Sharlotta Annie Bounds Melinda C. Downing Mary Jane Gibbons Catherine Haverstick Mary Angeline Kite Wm. B. Martin Felix McGee Jasper Nathaniel McGee Jeptha Alexander McGee Mary Angeline McGee Samuel A. McGee Susan Ellen McGee Elizabeth Walls Henry Washburn James William Washburn Margaret Belle Washburn Rudolph Henry Washburn William H. Washburn Family: Wm. B. Martin/Susan Ellen McGee (F130)

  
  

• Notes

  Enumeration for the tenth census of the United States began on 1 June 1880. Census enumerators were to complete the enumeration within thirty days. Communities with a population of 10,000 or greater were to be completed within two weeks. June 1, 1880 appears in the heading for individuals "in this family," because all responses were to reflect the individual's status as of that date, even if the status had changed between 1 June and the actual day the family was enumerated. Therefore, children born between June 1 and the actual day of enumeration were not to be listed; people who died between June 1 and the actual day of enumeration were to be listed as alive, etc. However, it is important to note that some enumerators disregarded this instruction. The 1880 census was the first census to identify each individual's relationship to the head of household--proving relationships to family members which could only be guessed in previous censuses. It is also the first census to record the street and house number for urban households and the birthplace (state or country) for the individual's parents. The enumerator also recorded the marital status of each individual, any illness or disability in the family at the time, as well as the number of months an individual was unemployed that year. It is also important to note that Native Americans who were not taxed were enumerated in special Indian schedules. This is the first census where the state or country of birth for parents of every individual is reported. This is especially important for tracing immigrant ancestors and for replacing lost birth records. Other relatives listed with the family in the census can help identify the maiden name of the mother as well as the surnames of married daughters. Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, in-laws, and other family members listed with their relationships give great clues to unraveling the family.