Census Schedules - U.S. Federal LaVona L. Ness The Mortality Schedules - In 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880, census enumerators were directed to secure in addition to the usually required census data, information as to all persons dying within the 12 months preceding the census taking. These lists became known as the "Mortality Schedules". See pages 252 and 253 of "Genealogical Research Standards" by Derek Harland for a list of places to find these schedules. Limitations of the Census Schedules 1. Time. a. No census was taken before 1790 in the U.S. b. Earlier schedules contain less information than later ones. 2. Incompleteness a. Some families were missed, due to the length of time it took to take the census, or people were away visiting relatives, or some families lived in multi-dwelling units and were overlooked, etc. b. Parts of the censuses were lost or destroyed. 3. Indifferent enumerators a. Many enumerators were not well qualified. b. Instructions were not followed (i.e. initials only, no birth places listed, etc.) c. Some families were not home so enumerator got information from small children or neighbors or guessed the answers himself. d. Padded population. 4. Incorrect information given by family members: a. memory might be poor (most people did not read or write) b. Unfamiliar abbreviations and ditto marks (i.e. Conn., Ct., Cn., Cnct. were all used for Connecticut). c. Poor quality paper and ink d. Difficulty in reading microfilm copies (due to poor photography, double papers or pages filmed, making writing too small, etc.). Also filmer might miss a page by accidentally turning 2 pages. 6. Place of residence must be known a. If census has not been indexed then at least the county must be known to start a search, except in 1880 and 1900 censuses - the soundexes can be used. b. If your ancestor lived in a large city, you will have to know which part of the city or "ward" he lived in, in order to search the census.