TERRE HAUTE — One of the “firsts” initiated with the 1850 federal census was the creation of a distinctive questionnaire called the mortality schedule. This was a special “nonpopulation” census inventory that looked at the details surrounding all the deaths that had taken place in the district during the twelve months immediately preceding the census. Since the census began on June 1, 1850, the mortality schedule was to record all deaths from June 1, 1849 to May 31, 1850.
The mortality schedule recorded the decedent’s name, age, gender, color, birth place, free or slave status, married or widowed status, occupation, month of death, cause of death, number of days ill, and physician’s name. The mortality schedule was also used with the next three censuses–1860, 1870, and 1880. In 1870, the birthplace of the parents was added to the list of information collected. In 1880, the place where the illness was contracted and the length of residence in the district was added. Mortality schedules provided the government with information on diseases, epidemics, and mortality rates.
There are several reasons why searching the mortality schedules can be a gold mine for the genealogist. One is that these schedules predate the collection of death records and so can serve as a death record for an individual. The month and year of the death would be recorded, but not the exact day. Another reason to search the mortality schedules is to find infants or children who were born after the previous census and who died before the current census. Often, the listing of a deceased child on a mortality schedule is the only evidence of his or her existence. In addition, finding a person’s death on a mortality schedule can be the first step to locating an obituary, a mortuary or funeral record, a cemetery record, or a will or deed in probate.
Remember that the information contained in mortality schedules is only as good as the people giving the information or doing the recording. Just as in other census records, people who actually died in the 12-month time period could be omitted from the schedule if the family didn’t mention the death or the census taker didn’t ask. The Source estimates that deaths are grossly under-reported on these schedules, perhaps only amounting to 13 percent of all deaths.
For an index to the mortality schedules, check Federal Mortality Census Schedules, 1850-1880 (formerly in the custody of the Daughters of the American Revolution), and Related Indexes, contained on 30 microfilmed rolls, series T655, available through the National Archives. An index to the Indiana and Illinois 1850 schedules and the Indiana 1860 schedule can also be found on Ancestry.com.
Microfilmed copies of the 1850-1880 mortality schedules for Indiana can be found in the Indiana State Library, located at 140 N. Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone 317-232-3675. Also available in book form in the Genealogy Division.
Mortality Schedules for Illinois can be found on rolls 57 and 58 of microfilm series T1133, available through the National Archives. There is also a Web site devoted to the 1850 Illinois mortality schedule, located at www.iltrails.org/1850_Illinois_State_Mortality_
Schedule.html. Information there is posted by county. Typically, the names are not listed in alphabetical order.
For more information, check out the National Archives Web site on nonpopulation census information at www.archives.gov/genealogy/
census/nonpopulation.
Next week will continue with more information on nonpopulation census schedules.
History
Genealogy: Mortality schedule makes its debut in the federal census of 1850
- History
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Terre Haute Works of Allis-Chalmers closes
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Traveling Civil War exhibit makes history personal
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: A blast from valentines past
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Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Original copy of 13th Amendment at Lincoln Library & Museum
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Freedom of religion — beliefs and actions
Because religious faith is, arguably, the quintessential example of our right to privacy, to say nothing of its prominent place in our First Amendment, throughout our history court cases involving the free exercise of religion have been handled with great trepidation and with particular care. One of the milestone “free exercise” religion cases, Davis v. Beason, was decided by the Supreme Court this week (Feb. 3) in 1890.
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GENEALOGY: SoCal Genealogical Jamboree coming up in June
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Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Flashing the mayor's badge
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Deadly tornado devastates York in 1907
John T. Staff loved water and, particularly, the Wabash River.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Notorious Western desperado Ellsworth Wyatt captured in Clay County
In October 1892, Terre Haute police received a circular from the State of Kansas containing a description of Ellsworth Wyatt and offering a $1,200 reward for his capture.
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LOOKING BACK: 2002: ISU students honor Martin Luther King Jr.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: News letter filled with wonderful local news
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GENEALOGY: Peyton, Downey, Fifer queries and a plea for help from Scotland
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Extension plans seminar on land use
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Kennedy, Camelot, and other myths
This week (Jan. 20) in 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as our 35th president, and his tragic death by assassination notwithstanding, his was a mediocre presidency that, undeservedly, became the stuff of legend — in part because of his assassination.
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Actor to portray Lincoln at dinner for historical society
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GENEALOGY: Celebrate MLK Day with the Indiana Historical Society
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Light Guards savor military and social experiences
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: 87 high school hoops teams compete in 47th annual Wabash Valley Tournament
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: A bottle of clove oil at the pharmacy
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: St. Mary’s Parish congregation celebrates 150th anniversary
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Fire up the jukebox for a great night
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GENEALOGY: 1752 is one memorable year for genealogists
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