The 1850 U.S. census was a pivotal shift in how the census was taken and genealogists will be forever grateful. This is the first census in which all the names of the members of the household were recorded. The 1850 U.S. census is key to interpreting earlier census’s tally sheets.

The official census day was 1 June 1850, but that date was extended for California, Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico into 1851. The U.S. marshalls and their assistants administered the census on government provided pre-printed forms.

Questions for the 1850 U.S. Census

The questions for the 1850 U.S. census were very different from the previous census:

1. Dwelling-house numbered in the order of visitation
2. Families numbered in the order of visitation
3. Name of every person whose usual place of abode on the first day of June, 1850, was in this family.
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 [hash mark if yes]
11. Attended school within the year [has mark if yes]
12. Persons over 20 years of age who cannot read and write [hash mark if yes]
13. Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convict [hash mark if yes]

A slave schedule was added to this census with additional questions. Unfortunately, the slave schedule only recorded limited information about the enslaved:

1. Name of slave owner
2. Number of slaves
3. Age
4. Sex
5. Color
6. Fugitive from the state
7. Number manumitted
8. Deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic
9. Remarks

Missing records

There are missing records for three counties of California. It is possible there are individual sheets missing from other areas. There is also a bit of controversy in relation to the slave schedule and Utah, which is detailed at the National Archives page for the 1850 U.S. census.

Census statistics

The U.S. population grew about 35% to 23,191,876. New York state was the most populous state and Florida the least populous. Once again New York City was the most populous city with over 3,000,000 people.

This census is the first census to gather economic information. For example, it recorded agricultural property values. There was also a calculation of manufactured production, federal debt, taxation, transportation, education, and other statistics. This census takes a good snapshot of what the country was like in 1850 right as the industrial revolution was taking off. The Wikipedia article gives a good break down on additional statistics.

A look at Colby Ross

Much of what is known about Colby Ross begins with the 1850 U.S. census. This census provided enough information to find Colby Ross in the 1840 U.S. census.

Colby Ross was living in Limestone County, Alabama, District 4.¹

Name	Age	Sex	Color	Birthplace
Colby Ross	44	M	W	North Carolina
Michael	42	F	W	Virginia
Cynthia Ann	19	F	W	Tennessee
Thomas	13	M	W	Tennessee
Patience	11	F	W	Tennessee
William	9	F	W	Tennessee

The census reveals other interesting details. This is the only census in which the name of Colby Ross’ first wife is revealed, which is Michael. Supposedly both Colby Ross and his wife could not read or write as there are tick marks in that column. The variety of birth locations in the family reveal migration over quite a distance. Colby Ross did not yet own any property, so it is not clear where exactly he was or what he was doing to earn a living.

It is by comparing the 1840 and the 1850 U.S. census entries for Colby Ross that we can see there are four missing sons. The 1850 U.S. census gives us enough information to see the family structure and identify individuals in 1840. We also can estimate birthplaces and locations.

If Colby Ross is the father of Darthula Ross, Darthula should be listed with the family in 1850. But she is not there. Instead a daughter named Patience (a.k.a Parthena) is listed with the assumed age of Darthula. Could they be the same person? Without more evidence it does not seem likely.

A family listed just a few households away from Colby Ross becomes important to Colby Ross later. German Gray’s son Squire Alfred later marries Colby Ross’ stepdaughter Matilda Reed.² When looking at census records, look at the families living nearby because they may reveal more about the family.

Sources

1. 1850 U.S. Census, Limestone County, Alabama, population schedule, District 4, p. 12 (stamped), dwelling 163, family 163, Colby Ross household; digital image, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 29 January 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 8.
2. Limestone County, Alabama History and Archives, marriage certificate, Squire Alfred Gray and Matilda Read, Cert. 3132, 1860; digital image, “Limestone Marriages 1832-1862,” database, Limestone County, page 863 (https://archives.limestonecounty-al.gov : accessed 4 April 2023).