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Over the last six months, this column has discussed the "Anatomy" of the federal census for the years from 1870-1930, not including the mostly-destroyed 1890 census. In this series of articles, each column of the census questionnaire was examined, and clues that will aid your research were discussed. If you have missed any of these articles, you can read them again using the links below: Anatomy of the 1930 federal census Anatomy of the 1920 federal census Anatomy of the 1910 federal census Anatomy of the 1900 federal census Anatomy of the 1880 federal census Anatomy of the 1870 federal census In a discussion concerning the federal census as evidence for genealogical research, however, one must also consider the question: are census records reliable sources?

This column previously addressed the importance of the 1870 U. S. census in African-American research. As noted in that article, this was the first federal census after the end of the Civil War, and therefore the first record group to record personal information about former slaves nationwide. It was not, however, the earliest record group to do so in many localities. Many similar record groups were created that provide information about former slaves between 1865 and 1870.

FUN WITH FEDERAL COURT RECORDS The following record was found in the Ft. Smith Criminal Case Files held at the National Archives, Southwest Region in Fort Worth, Texas. (spelling is preserved as written) Ardmore Mch 10, 1889 Col. Jno. Carroll Dear Sir, Please send writs for the following parties committed Mch 8, 1889 L.F. Earles charge assault with intent to kill and larceny of one hog valued at $20.00 twenty dollars Witnesses William Lesslie and Wilson Parker

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