Genealogy Social
Please help figure out a 1900 U.S. census record
I'm trying to figure out some discrepancies. I think I just found the Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 1900 U.S. census record for my great grandfather (Jacob Weber), great grandmother (Elizabeth) and their oldest son (Art) on the FamilySearch pilot site. I included the citation information at the bottom of this posting.
The last name is spelled Weaber on the census, the wife is listed as Elisabeth, and the son's name is spelled "Auther," but those are minor differences. Most of the rest of the data jibes with what I already had. However, I found two discrepancies within the census records that are stumping me. I'm hoping someone with more census experience might be able to shed some light:
1. The census taker noted "age at last birthday" for son Auther as 4/12, even though birth month and year for Auther was shown as Jan 1899. If Auther was born in January of 1899, then his age at last birthday should have been 1 year, not 4 months.
2. Elisabeth's record shows "mother of how many children" as 1, but "number of these children living" as 0. Perhaps it means that Elisabeth was not Auther's mother, but if she was, then this is clearly wrong.
Can anyone help?
1900 U.S. census, Luzerne, Pennsylvania population schedule, Hazleton city, enumeration district (ED) 62, sheet 17, p. 17A (stamped), dwelling 326; digital images, FamilySearch pilot site (http://pilot.familysearch.org); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 1432; viewed image of original census record sheet.
The last name is spelled Weaber on the census, the wife is listed as Elisabeth, and the son's name is spelled "Auther," but those are minor differences. Most of the rest of the data jibes with what I already had. However, I found two discrepancies within the census records that are stumping me. I'm hoping someone with more census experience might be able to shed some light:
1. The census taker noted "age at last birthday" for son Auther as 4/12, even though birth month and year for Auther was shown as Jan 1899. If Auther was born in January of 1899, then his age at last birthday should have been 1 year, not 4 months.
2. Elisabeth's record shows "mother of how many children" as 1, but "number of these children living" as 0. Perhaps it means that Elisabeth was not Auther's mother, but if she was, then this is clearly wrong.
Can anyone help?
1900 U.S. census, Luzerne, Pennsylvania population schedule, Hazleton city, enumeration district (ED) 62, sheet 17, p. 17A (stamped), dwelling 326; digital images, FamilySearch pilot site (http://pilot.familysearch.org); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 1432; viewed image of original census record sheet.
Hopkins, Green
Sep 19, 2009
Georgie Trammell
my only source of documentation. I would also attempt to obtain a copy of the birth cetificate, if this is a direct bloolline connection. If it is a Great Uncle I would try to obtain other verification of his birth perhapes an announcement in a newspaper. If you are doing family history instead of direct line, you could also look for his world war I draft registration.
After all he would know his birthdate and the registration cards were completed by the person registerating and not a third party.
Sep 20, 2009
Sue McCormick
However, there have been suggestions about using other data to help you sort out the sometimes shaky census data. There is a small book ($8.95 from Amazon) called "Genealogical Proof Standard Building a Solid Case" by Christine Rose. It outlines the steps one takes to resolve conflicting data, and gives three elements to use in classifying the value of the evidence. As a person just beginning to assemble data for our family trees and our family histories, I am finding this book a useful help as I thread my way through conflicting data.
Sue
Sep 20, 2009