Massachusetts State Census Explanations

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1855 State Census of Massachusetts
Below are the 9 columns used in the 1855 Massachusetts State Census and an explanation of how they have been transcribed into the 7 columns use in this volume. Even what seem to be obvious mistakes in the original census (a "Samuel" listed as a female or a 10-year-old listed as married) have been preserved in this transcription.

1 - Dwelling houses numbered in the order of visitation: This column and the following one have been transcribed into the first column of this volume, with a slash between the dwelling house and family number.

2 - Families numbered in the order of visitation: This column and the preceding one have been transcribed into the first column of this volume, with a slash between the dwelling house and family number.

3 - The name of every Person whose usual place of abode on the first day of June, 1855, was in this family: The names have been transcribed surname first, first and middle names second. Those names without a surname preceding them have the same surname as above. If column 9 (Whether Deaf and Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic, Pauper, or Convict) has been marked for a person, a number sign (#) appears after the person's first name and an explanation appears at the bottom of the family grouping. If either the surname of first name of a person is not given, a blank line (------) has been drawn in.

4 - Age: For children under the age of 1 year, their age is often given in months. This has been transcribed with a "m" after the number of months. The question marks that appear after some of the ages are transcribed from the original census.

5 - Sex: f = female, m = male.

6 - Color (White, Black, or Mulatto): w = White, b = Black, m = Mulatto. This column is usually left blank for white people in the original. To make this transcription clear, a "w" has been inserted whenever this column is blank in the original.

7 - Profession, Occupation, or Trade of each Male Person, over 15 years of age.

8 - Place of Birth. Name the State, Territory, or Country: The two-letter Postal Service abbreviations have been used for the United States. The following abbreviations have been used for countries or other places:
D.C. = District of Columbia / Eng = England / Fran = France / Ger = Germany / Ire = Ireland / N.B. = New Brunswick
N.S. = Nova Scotia / PEI = Prince Edward Island / Scot = Scotland

9 - Whether Deaf and Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic, Pauper, or Convict: If this column has been marked for a person, a number sign (#) has been put after the person's first name in #3 and an explanation appears at the bottom of the family grouping.

1865 State Census of Massachusetts
Below are the 14 columns used in the 1865 Massachusetts State Census and an explanation of how they have been transcribed into the 9 columns used in this volume. Even what seem to be obvious mistakes in the original census (a "Samuel" listed as a female or a 10-year-old listed as married) have been preserved in this transcription.

1 - Dwelling Houses numbered in the order of visitation: This column and the following one have been transcribed into the first column of this volume, with a slash between the dwelling house and family number.

2 - Families numbered in the order of visitation: This column and the preceding one have been transcribed into the first column of this volume, with a slash between the dwelling house and family number.

3 - The Name of every Person whose usual place of abode on the first day of May, 1865, was in this family: The names have been transcribed surname first, first and middle names second. Those names without a surname preceding them have the same surname as above. If column 10 (Persons over twenty years of age who cannot read or write) has been marked for a person, an asterisk (*) appears after the person's first name. If column 11 (Whether Deaf, Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic, Pauper or Convict)has been filled in for a person, a number sign (#) appears after the person's first name and an explanation appears at the bottom of the family grouping. If either the surname or first name of a person is not given, a blank line (--------) has been drawn in.

4 - Age of said person: For children under the age of 1 year, their age is often given in months. This has been transcribed with a "m" after the number of months.

5 - Sex: f = female, m = male.

6 - Color - White, Black, Mulatto or Indian: w = White, b = Black, m = Mulatto, I = Indian. This column is usually left blank for white people in the original. To make this transcription clear, a "w" has been inserted whenever this column is blank in the original.

7 - Place of Birth, name of State, Territory or Country: The two-letter Postal Service abbreviations have been used for the United States. The following abbreviations have been used for countries or other places:
Can = Canada / D.C. = District of Columbia / Eng = England / Fran = France / Ger = Germany / Ire = Ireland
N.S. = Nova Scotia / Scot = Scotland / Wal = Wales
In those cases where a more exact place of birth has been given,a number sign (#) has been put in place of the place of birth and an explanation is given at the end of the family grouping.

8 - Condition - whether single, married, or widowed: s = single, m = married, w = widowed.

9 - Profession, Occupation, or Trade of every person over 15 years of age.

10 - Persons over twenty years of age who cannot read or write: If this column has been marked for a person, an asterisk (*) has been put after the person's first name in #3.

11 - Whether Deaf, Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic, Pauper or Convict: If this column has been filled in, a number sign (#) has been put after the person's name in #3 and an explanation has been put at the end of the family grouping.

12 - Ratable Poll: If this column has been marked, a "p" appears in the last column of this volume.

13 - Legal Voters: If this column and the preceding one have been marked, a "pl" appears in the last column of this volume.

14 - Naturalized Voters: If this column and the two preceding ones have been marked, a "pn" appears in the last column of this volume.

The original Massachusetts State Censuses are at the Massachusetts State Archives, Columbia Point, Dorchester, Massachusetts.

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