| Mortality schedules are one
of the six non-population schedules that were introduced with
the 1850 Federal Census-- the first Federal Census in which an
attempt was made to enumerate every person in every household
in the United States. Mortality schedules were introduced to obtain
data on individuals who had died during the 12-month period preceding
the date of the census. Four schedules were crafted covering a
30-year period from June 1 through May 31 of 1849-50, 1869-70,
and 1879-80.
Although the form and format of these schedules were changed with
each census, the basic information provided remained the same.
Schedules provided the individuals' name, age, sex, color, state
of birth, month of death, cause of death and occupation. The 1870
schedule added birthplace of parents. The 1880 schedule added
place where the disease was contracted and how long the individual
was a citizen or resident of the area. Schedules are arranged
by county but are indexed by state.
Schedules provide a nationwide, state-by-state death register
that predates the recording of vital statistics in most states.
They are a good source for researching and documenting the history
of family health; verifying and documenting African-American,
Chinese and Native American ancestry; providing death dates of
family members for follow-up searches in obituaries, cemetary
and probate records; and providing clues to present and past residences
of families.
Mortality schedules report the deaths of only one year out of
ten. Schedules cover deaths over a 30-year period from 1849-1880.
It was difficult for people to report deaths accurately, so a
relatively low percentage of deaths were reported accurately.
The Pequot Library Genealogy and Local History Collection contains
the Connecticut Mortality Schedules for 1850, 1860, 1870, published
by Accelerated Indexing Systems (R974.6 C76). These indexes provide
all of the basic data contained in the schedules. The Connecticut
State Library has the 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 schedules in
their archives. Schedules can also be borrowed from LDS Family
History Centers.
Often overlooked by genealogists, mortality scheudles are an interesting
group of records. As they are capable of providing valuable information,
genealogy researchers should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses
when using the schedules. |
