This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: DGSHEL Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.shelton/3408.3.2.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: >From 1880 on the census listed the state of birth of the individual, then the state of birth of his or her father, then the state of birth of his or her mother. They are not always consistent - it can depend on who answers the census takers questions, or even how good their memory is, but it is helpful. For the 1900 census it lists the month and year of birth. For that and several other more recent ones it lists the number of years married, then for the women, number of children born/number still living. For 1930 it lists the age at marriage rather than number of years married. Those are my personal shorthand abbreviations of the info I find useful. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.