Butler Family Tree

Source: Massachusetts State Census Transcriptions for 1855 and 1865

Description

Type	Value
Title	Massachusetts State Census Transcriptions for 1855 and 1865
Abbreviation
Authority
Author
Place
Publication	Online database: AmericanAncestors.org
Reference Number
Reference Type

Entries assigned to this source

Events
Census

Text


Massachusetts took state censuses in 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925, 1935, and 1945. There are general summaries have been published for most of these censuses, but the actual town-by-town census schedules exist for only 1855 and 1865. The original schedules for the other years appear to have been lost. Between 1986 and 1992, Ann S. Lainhart transcribed the records of 75 towns in the counties of Essex, Middlesex, and Plymouth: The Berkshire Genealogist has published some of the towns in Berkshire county. Microfilms of the 1855 and 1865 Massachusetts state censuses are available at NEHGS, the Massachusetts State Archives, and through the Family History Libraries. There are three important features that make these state censuses different from the Federal censuses. First in 1865 is a column that asks whether the person is married, single, or widowed. This can help determine relationships in a household. Secondly, also in 1865, it asks whether a person is a ratable poll ('p'), ratable poll and legal voter ('p1'), or ratable poll and naturalized voter ('pn'). This can help to determine when someone became a citizen. The third feature is that 22 towns in 1855 and 96 towns in 1865 give specific town of birth rather than just state and some give town or county of birth for those of foreign birth. Some of these towns are among the ones transcribed here and a complete list can be found in Ann Lainhart's book State Census Records (HA215 / L25 / 1992), available in the NEHGS Research library. Explanations of record fields: Household: Dwelling number in order of visitation / Families numbered in order of visitation. Color: 'w' - White; 'b' - Black; 'm' - Mulatto; or 'I' - Indian. Asterisk following first name: Person over twenty years of age who cannot read or write. Marital status: 's' - single; 'm' - married; 'w' - widowed. (Note - marital status was recorded in 1865 only.)

Massachusetts took state censuses in 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925, 1935, and 1945. There are general summaries have been published for most of these censuses, but the actual town-by-town census schedules exist for only 1855 and 1865. The original schedules for the other years appear to have been lost.

Between 1986 and 1992, Ann S. Lainhart transcribed the records of 75 towns in the counties of Essex, Middlesex, and Plymouth:

The Berkshire Genealogist has published some of the towns in Berkshire county. Microfilms of the 1855 and 1865 Massachusetts state censuses are available at NEHGS, the Massachusetts State Archives, and through the Family History Libraries.

There are three important features that make these state censuses different from the Federal censuses. First in 1865 is a column that asks whether the person is married, single, or widowed. This can help determine relationships in a household. Secondly, also in 1865, it asks whether a person is a ratable poll ('p'), ratable poll and legal voter ('p1'), or ratable poll and naturalized voter ('pn'). This can help to determine when someone became a citizen.

The third feature is that 22 towns in 1855 and 96 towns in 1865 give specific town of birth rather than just state and some give town or county of birth for those of foreign birth. Some of these towns are among the ones transcribed here and a complete list can be found in Ann Lainhart's book State Census Records (HA215 / L25 / 1992), available in the NEHGS Research library.

Explanations of record fields:

Household: Dwelling number in order of visitation / Families numbered in order of visitation.

Color: 'w' - White; 'b' - Black; 'm' - Mulatto; or 'I' - Indian.

Asterisk following first name: Person over twenty years of age who cannot read or write.

Marital status: 's' - single; 'm' - married; 'w' - widowed. (Note - marital status was recorded in 1865 only.)

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