I've always had a humorous mental vision of that awful time ... of our 
people under military rule with a government census taker wanting to track 
our families.  In fear of his life, I don't think the census taker tried too 
hard to visit most of these families.  It wasn't much different in the 2010 
census except I think the census taker was a little safer.
Hannah Powell
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Craig Kilby" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 5:05 PM
Subject: [VA-HIST] 1870 Census, VA


Hannah,

Please keep in mind that the 1870 census was conducted during the period of 
Reconstruction and Federal occupation of the South. It's a very interesting 
census, especially if you are researching southern states. Some call it the 
worst census ever taken. Others call it the best. I consider it a very 
interesting read. Good luck with all your research, and keep in mind the 
period of time in question, who was in charge, why they did what they did, 
who was hired, why they were hired,  what they were expected to report and 
not report, who refused to even participate, and who knew what about whom.

Craig Kilby
Lancaster, VA


On Oct 25, 2010, at 5:04 PM, Hannah Powell wrote:

> The 1860 Federal Census does not appear to be as strange as the 1870 
> Federal Census.  I do a lot of work using the census records and I always 
> have to figure that the head of household may be 4-5 years off in age. 
> There are many double listings also.  It seems when reading these records 
> that the information must come from something other than a visit from the 
> census taker.
> Hannah Powell

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