To the frustration of family researchers, we know that from 1790 through 1840, censuses were primarily largely enumerations, i.e., just the names of household heads. All other family members - that's where the hard research comes in! But, thankfully, in 1850 that changed, with a population census that attempted for the first time to record the name of every resident. We still have our frustrations as no relationships were shown, and most counties were just broken down into districts. But, at the same time it was decided to gather more data. Included were agricultural and industrial schedules. And there was a new non-population form that would show data on those who had died in the year prior to the taking of the census. This was called the mortality schedule. In the four years when federal mortality schedules were compiled - 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 - the census takers were instructed to compile information on those who had died in the twelve months prior to 1 June of the census year. These mortality schedules were filed with the population schedules completed in those states and territories in that year. The format varied slightly from year to year, but included such data as the deceased's name, age at the time of death, cause of death, etc. The mortality schedules were also distributed to the states in 1918 and 1919 and if unclaimed by a state, they were given to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mortality schedules can provide researchers with information on the lives and deaths of their ancestors. They were, however, not complete. Some people were forgotten, missed or possibly refused to answer the questions required. All of the mortality schedules have been indexed, either by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Accelerated Indexing Systems, or others. In some cases the indexes only show the county, without an exact page number. Some mortality schedules are available on microfilm through the National Archives and most are available on microfilm through the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and its associated Family History Centers, or at some libraries. Deaths recorded on the Mortality Schedules are almost like a death certificate with much of the same information. It gives name, age, cause of death, residence, birthplace and other information. MOST of the time, the information is quite accurate. Names could be misspelled slightly and of course, the age can be wrong. And of course, the place of birth can be wrong - just like on death certificates or even funeral home records. Since the family was normally asked for the information, the cause of death is perhaps not quite correct; they having, of course, no medical training. But, the information is worth it. Since it was recorded a short time within the death date, it would be more reliable than biographies done by family members in "vanity" books. Now, let's take a look at the information which is recorded on the various years. 1850. The various questions asked include: Full name, Age, Gender, Color (white/black/mulatto), Free or slave, Married or widowed, State or country of birth, Month in which died, Occupation, Cause of death, and Number of days ill (reading left to right across the form). During this time frame, fevers and consumption (TB) are the main causes of death. Sometimes the tabulator didn't fill in the length of time ill if it was one of the "lingering diseases". 1860: The questions asked on this schedule was the same as in 1850, but more attention was paid to the color of the individual as the Civil War rumblings had begun. One change that helps the researcher was the way the names were listed. In 1850 it was John Jones. In 1860 it would have been Jones, John. Much easier reading the microfilm! 1870: This year the columns asking about slaves and number of days ill were dropped and a column was added, "family member" to keep this schedule straight with the regular census. There were also columns added for foreign-born parents, and a number of the family that matched the census. In the color category, it was expanded to show white, black, mulatto, Chinese or Indian. Marital status was also added. 1880: There were 17 columns on this schedule: Residence number for the family of the deceased as shown on the population schedule Full name of the deceased Age at the time of death Gender, Color (W=White, B=Black, Mu=Mulatto, Ch=Chinese, I=Indian) Single, Married, Widowed or Divorced State or country of birth of the deceased State or country of birth of deceased's father State or country of birth of deceased's mother Occupation The month in which died Disease or other cause of death How long a resident of the county? If the disease was not contracted at place of death, where? Attending physician. One note here - there might have been more than one subdivision in each county and the enumerator was to show which division they resided. Kentucky Mortality Schedules are availing for the following counties and dates on microfilm. They can be rented from a Family History Library (shown FHL below) or purchased. NARA represents National Archives. Kentucky Year NARA Roll FHL Film Pendleton-Woodford 1850 T655 13 422,419 Adair-Woodford 1860 T655 14 422,420 Adair-Jefferson 1870 422,421 Jessamine-Woodford 1870 422,422 Adair-Woodford 1870 T655 15 A-Mere index 1880 T655 16 422,423 Meri-Z index 1880 T655 17 422,424 Adair-Jackson 1880 T655 18 422,425 Jefferson-Mason 1880 T655 19 422,426 Meade-Woodford 1880 T655 20 422,427 If you have any questions, you may contact the FHL for rental fees. Some of these have been put into print. (c) Copyright 10 May 2001, Sandra K. Gorin, All Rights Reserved. sgorin@glasgow-ky.com Sandi Gorin - A Proud Kentucky Colonel 205 Clements, Glasgow, KY 42141 (270) 651-9114 Member: Glasgow-Barren Co Chamber of Commerce http://ggpublishing.tripod.com/ <>< Research tips: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ky/Tips Barren Co web page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~kybarren/ Archives of SCKY: http://www.public.asu.edu/~moore/sck.html