NPM wrote: >While I haven't looked for a while, on Google Books I recall seeing census department compilations for past years with statistics in them which might show you some trends. Again, I specifically didn't see any for the 1800s .... Copious statistical data for the censuses of the 1800s is available as published government documents. By the latter 1800s, the period of Michelle's interest, there were MANY volumes per census year. These statistics include mortality patterns and marital patterns--many tables each. I do not, however, recall seeing the kind of patterns that Michelle inquired about and I'm seriously doubtful that they could be drawn from the census data. When I have needed that kind of historical context, I have turned to those history journals that specialize in "history of the family," as others earlier recommended. The studies there will be random, geographically and ethnically, but they are insightful. At the link below, the Census Bureau provides downloadable copies of each statistical volume for each census year through 2010. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/ Elizabeth --------------------------------------------------- Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG www.HistoricPathways.com www.EvidenceExplained.com & for daily tips on records and record usage: www.Facebook.com/EvidenceExplained