In 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880, census enumerators were directed to secure, in addition to the usual required census data, information as to all persons dying within the twelve monhs preceding the taking of the census. These lists, which were filed in Washington, became known as the "Mortality Schedules." These schedules contain valuable information for genealogists and historians, as they antedate the establishment of vital records in the majority of the states, certainly in Arkansas. They report 13 percent of all deaths during this period, which is just when those born in the 1790-1810 decades were completing the normal lifespan. My "Arkansas Ancestors" published these schedules for Arkansas in 1968 and these volumes are available in libraries throughout the country and are well worth checking if you have ancestors in Arkansas in this time period. Some of you may remember Mrs. Frances Bowles, long-time employee at the Arkansas History Commission. She first introduced me to these schedules many years ago as a possible way of locating people in Arkansas, long before there were printed Indices to the Census records. Bobbie Jones McLane ----- Original Message ----- From: J. Hawkins (by way of Jan Davenport <jan.davenport@att.net>) <hawkins10@erols.com> To: <AGS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 4:22 PM Subject: Re: [AGS] Mortality Census Arkansas had an 1870 Mortality Census - and maybe others. That one I have used. It recorded deaths the year before the census was taken. J. Hawkins -----Original Message----- From: Hutton (by way of Jan Davenport <jan.davenport@att.net>) <billh@merlin.wizards.net> To: AGS-L@rootsweb.com <AGS-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, April 24, 2000 7:54 PM Subject: [AGS] Mortality Census >Does anyone know if Mortality Census were taken in Arkansas? I have >found some on other states and was wondering if Arkansas possible had >them. > >Thanks, >Joyce >billh@wizards.net > >______________________________ ______________________________