Week 5 of the challenge was In the Census. Census are one of the main records, I use when I look into the family history. Every now and then I will revisit a census record to see what other clues can be found.

I also now go and read the enumerators instructions to better understand what was being asked. Census records have all kinds of bread crumbs in them.

Let’s start with the 1880 US Census for Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Here we find Leslie Beardsley and his wife Sarah Beardsley. They were both born in New York State. In 1870 they were in NYS. When I found this record I could not fathom why they were in Michigan. If you look at the occupation of Sarah it says student but student of what. Sarah was a student at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor studying to be a doctor.

Next lets take a look at the 1910 US Census for Astoria, NY, where we find my paternal great grandparents and 2 of their children.

HEre we find Dominic Moro, wife Teresa, and sons Michael and Berlindo. Living with them is a boarder Paul Rizzo. The thing I find most interesting is the 1879 arrival of Dominic Moro. We were always told he came to the United States in 1900. This means he arrived with his parents, 20 years earlier, I have never found him earlier but truth be told I did not really look very hard as I struggle with Italian and Irish Research due to naming patterns. New project in  my future.

Don’t forget that State Census are also great for finding our families. Here in the 1915 New York State Census is the first appearance of my grandpa Earl Witherwax.

Census records have a wealth of knowledge and are the backbone of my research. I think I need to go look at the various census records in my tree. I am also looking for a few elusive family members who seemed to elude the census takers.