This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: thomasker2 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.westvirginia.counties.ritchie/3300.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I'm not related to any member of this family. West Virginia - Birth, Marriage & Death records = FREE site http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx WV was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, and was a key Civil War border state. Census records DO NOT record the specific locality of a person's birth. How did U arrive at Columbus, OH for William?? TRY - Find a grave - FREE SITE - volunteer site all states; frequently has headstone pic NEVER SEARCH FOR A MARRIED WOMAN USING HER MAIDEN NAME. http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/ Try Vital Records - Birth, Marriage, & Death, Social Security Info, Census Records - FREE ALL STATES http://search.labs.familysearch.org/ NOTE - There is a 20 yr. gap in the census records [1880 - 1900] as the 1890 census was burned in the 1920's. Add 20 yrs to everyone's 1880 age for the 1900 census. I'm not related to any member of this family. Facts you should know about the early census records - All census records [1790 - 1840] prior to the 1850 census ONLY listed the head of household; whether male or female. NO specific age was stated for any family member NO place of birth was stated - city, state, or country NO city, town, or village is stated - only the county; however some census takers listed the township NO street address was stated NO marital status was stated - single, married, widowed, or divorced NO family relationship was stated - brother, sister, cousin, son, daughter, wife, inlaw, etc. NO occupation was stated NO parental birthplaces are stated NO race was stated [but assume "white"] 1850, 1860 & 1870 census records do not show family relationships, marital status or parental birthplaces. Step children are not enumerated as "step" children Adopted children are not enumerated as "adopted" Grand children are not enumerated as "grand children" Orphaned children were not enumerated as "orphan" Immigration date is not recorded 1850 is the 1st census that shows all family members with their birthplaces 1880 is the 1st census that shows parental birthplaces and family relationships 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. <br>