Jerilyn -- In addition to the census limitations pointed out by other responders, there is another possible explanation. It could be that they were temporarily out of the county when the census was taken. My 3rd great grandfather does not appear in the 1860 Wayne County census, though I know perfectly well that he lived there. His wife is shown as the head of household, and their one year old child is listed, along with her children from a prior marriage, but he and his children from his first marriage are missing. It was not until Lois Branch pointed out that his mother died in Indiana shortly after the census was taken that I realized what had happened -- he took his children and made a trip to see his critically ill mother! The timing of the census was such that he and his children did not get included in either location. Bottom line -- the census is a "snapshot in time," and there are several reasons why a person who should have been included might have been missed. Guy I. Colby IV Irving, TX -------------- Original message from Jlktrees@aol.com: -------------- > Am I the only one who can't find people in this census that I am sure were > there? I have looked and looked under first names, last names, any way I > could search. Went through a township house by house. Just one family I could > understand, but there have been several and wondering if I am alone. Jerilyn > > > ==== ILWAYNE Mailing List ==== > Any questions/problems regarding the Wayne County, Illinois list, > contact the listowner, ILWayne Co., Coordinator (Dianna) > mailto:ilwayne@shawneelink.net > Visit the Wayne County, Illinois Genealogy web site at: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilwayne/ >