double entries in 1870 census

Question

I was very disheartened when I found a  "Daniel Norwood" age 50, with wife Elizabeth and a son named Harvey in an 1870 census for Tuscaloosa county Alabama. I had already found a Tuscaloosa 1870 census with Daniel Norwood age 50, wife Elizabeth, son Harvey in a different census dated 3 days earlier. So I thought what a coincidence, 2 Daniels, same age with the same last name, wife same name and oldest son same name. What a mess. How will I ever be able to confidently trace him now?

But then I also found a 2nd entry for another relative in Tuscaloosa 1870. Nickolas Turner, wife Mary Ann and daughter Manerva. With another census taken a few days earlier with almost the exact same entries. Nicoli Turner, wife Ann, daughter Manervia.

What a miraculous turn of events. ;-)

Is this common?

Answer 1

Good catch, Clint Norwood!

I wouldn't characterize duplicate census entries as common, but they are not so very uncommon. My grandmother appears twice in a modern census. 

Bill Dollarhide has written some great articles about source materials. Here is a link to his article, "Census Mistakes," from Leland Meitzler's blog. It opens, "An 1850 census record showing twelve children in a family proves only that your ancestors did not believe in birth control."

He has included graphics about duplicate census entries in his discussion. 

Hope this helps.--GeneJ

 

Comments

One thing that Meitzler's blog (and many others) overlooks! There was a NEED to have 10 to 12 children in the early years. If you look deep enough, you'll find that many did not outlive their childhood. Illness (without today's medical knowledge) and accidential deaths were numerous. (Plus, there was no pill and, I suspect, not many over-the-counter condoms.)

Jerry Norwood

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Good points, Jerry Norwood.

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Thank you GeneJ X : I have several instences in my ancestors records where a family would have 2 children with the same name. In one case, #2 was born before #1 died - parents probably knew that first child was dying. Drowning and being "runover by a cart" accounted for several chilhood deaths in my family's past. 

Jerry Norwood