Famouscensus.com is for sale

Due to other work and opportunities, I have decided to stop updating www.famouscensus.com and am selling the domain name. If anyone is interested, please email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com.

1930 Famous Census Images

For those who are interested, we have started slowly adding our 1930famous census images to our site.

We have 1930 census for:

John Kennedy
Jimmy Hoffa
Richard Nixon
Walt Disney
Yogi Berra

Our 1930 census site is located at:
http://www.famouscensus.com/labels/1930.html
Suggestions for additional people to include are welcomed.

Additions to Our Famous Census Pages

We've added the following years and people to our famous cenus pages at http://www.famouscensus.com

1860 Abraham Lincoln
1860 U S Grant
1870 Theodore Roosevelt
1870 Boss Tweed
1870 Harriet Beecher Stowe
1870 Allen Pinkerton
1870 Wyatt Earp
1870 John Deere
1870 Scott Joplin
1850 Franklin Pierce
1900 Dwight Eisenhower
1900 George Burns
1900 Laura Ingalls Wilder
1900 Carl Sandburg
1900 Frank Lloyd Wright
1900 J C Penny
1900 Babe Ruth
1900 Theodore Roosevelt
1870 Bunker Siamese Twins
1870 Amelia Bloomer
1870 Chester Arthur
1870 Bill Cody
1870 Jane Addams
1870 Frederick Pabst
1900 Mark Twain-Samuel Clemens
1870 P T Barnum
1870 George Custer
1870 George Pullman
1870 Lizzie Borden
1870 Henry Ford
1870 Philip Armour
1870 Levi Strauss
1870 Joseph Schlitz
1870 Laura Ingalls Wilder
1870 U S Grant
1870 Marshall Field
1860 Frederick Douglass
1860 Jefferson Davis
1860 Sojourner Truth
1860 John Wilkes Booth
1860 Robert E Lee Again!
1860 Robert E. Lee
1860 Eberhard Anheuser
1860 Louisa May Alcott
1860 Kit Carson
1860 Wyatt Earp
1860 John Deere
1860 Calamity Jane
1860 Jesse James
1860 Allan Pinkerton


There are more images there and suggestions are welcomed. This site is slowly replacing the set of famous census images we used to have posted on www.rootdig.com.

Famous Census Pages are Back!

After a hiatus, our famous census pages are back. It will take a while to bring all the images again to our website, but we are making progress.

Our pages have a new look and a new domain name
http://www.famouscensus.com

Take a look--we're starting off small while we work out the bugs.
Suggestions for additions are welcome and can be sent to me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com.

Jane Wyman (Sara[h] Fulks) in 1930

Actress Jane Wyman is enumerated in 1930 as Sara Fulks at 2850 Leeward Avenue in Los Angeles, California. The 18 year old Missouri native is living with her 60 year old widowed mother. Neither have an occupation listed. They are apparently renting an apartment at 50 dollars a month and have no radio.

If anyone can find her in 1920, feel free to post a comment. Of course, we aren't posting images!

the Famous Census Images--followup

For the time being, the famous census and other famous images will not be on our site.

In answer to some questions--this is not a copyright issue. The image of a census microfilm can be reproduced and posted by anyone who wants to. The real issue here is the license agreement for those who use Ancestry.com's databases and images. Previous staff were "ok" with the posting of the images. New staff have decided that is no longer the case.

Until I can view the images from the microfilm or find a vendor allowing me to post their images that part of our site will remain offline.

Thanks.

Famous Census Images are GONE!

At the "request" of The Generations Network we have pulled all our famous census images. This has been a fun project, but unfortunately until I have time to view the NARA microfilm myself for each entry there is not much I can do.

Oh, we had to pull the draft cards and ship manifest images as well.

Is there a cat in the hat nearby?

The 1910 census entry shows a young Theodor Geisel living with his parents in Massachusetts. I'm not certain whether or not they were eating green eggs and ham on the day the census taker came...they don't ask interesting questions like that ;-)

You can View Census Records Online at Ancestry.com or you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

Is there a brewery nearby?

The occupation column for this census page contains several well-known individuals, all employed in the Brewery business. In fact, many of the individuals on the entire page are apparently working for the brewery.

The family name will be easily recognized, but remember they are not related to another family whose name is very similar but missing the "h" on the end.

You can View Census Records Online at Ancestry.com or you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

Samuel Morse in 1860

The man credited with developing Morse code is shown as a 69 year old "professor" in this 1860 census enumeration from New York City. He has several other family members living with him, including one who is termed an idiot.

You can search the 1860 Census at Ancestry.com for your relative---who may or may not have been listed as an idiot. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

1860 Census Belle Starr

She's not really named Belle Starr--although that would have made her easier to find in the census.

Her real name is Myra Shirley as shown here in the 1860 census in Carthage, Missouri.

Search the 1860 Census at Ancestry.com for your relative---whose name hopefully is known to you. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

Jimmy Stewart in 1930

Actor Jimmy Stewart was living in Indiana, Pennsylvania in 1930 with his family as partially shown in the image included in this post. The 21 year old is listed without an occupation and his father runs a hardware store.

You can search of the 1930 census at Ancestry.com and see what your relatives are up to--hopefully they aren't living in a town that is also the name of a state (Illinois has a town named Oregon and one named Ohio) .If you don't have a subscription to Ancestry.com, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

Malcolm X in the 1930 Census

He might have been easier to find had his last name in 1930 been "X" instead of the much more common Little. Black activist Malcolm X and his family are living in Lansing, Michigan in 1930 as the partial image on the right show.

You can search of the 1930 census at Ancestry.com and see what names your relatives as listed with--however, it usually helps your search if you know the last name before you find them. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

1920 Census--Perry Como

I didn't think Perry Como's real name was "Perry Como," but sure enough, it was. He and his family were living in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1920 as shown in the image to the right. The complete image indicates the family immigrated in 1910 and that Como's older siblings were born in Italy.

The 1920 United States Federal Census can be searched for your relative at Ancestry.com. Those who don't have a subscription can read our free-trial suggestions here.

Henry Thoreau in 1860

I learned a little something in locating Henry Thoreau in the 1860 census--his occupation was not what I expected. Admittedly, I knew little about Thoreau before I searched for him in 1860. We've posted the entire image which shows him living with other family members in Concord, New Hampshire.

Search the 1860 Census at Ancestry.com for your relative---whose occupation in 1860 may or may not be a surptise to you. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

Gender Changing in 1860

The 1860 census taker listed him as a 12 year old male named Georgia Eastman--but it clearly George Eastman who later founded Eastman Kodak. The 12 year old is living with his family in Oneida County, New York.

Search the 1860 Census at Ancestry.com for your relative---who may have had his gender accidentally changed by a census taker--it's a little early for more permanent kinds of gender changes. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

From Poor Leather Merchant to General

The 1860 census finds future US General U S Grant living in Galena, Illinois as a leather merchant with personal property valued at $200. He would shortly have a different occupation.

Search the 1860 Census at Ancestry.com for your relative---whose occupation in 1860 may or may not be a surptise to you. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

1850 Census Harriet Beecher Stowe

The 1850 census finds Harriet Beecher Stowe living with her husband Calvin and her family in Brunswick, Maine. Uncle Tom's Cabin had yet to be published.

Those with an Ancestry.com subscription can search the 1850 Census--everyname index for their own relatives--who probably were not writing books that started wars (which is what President Abraham Lincoln remarked to Stowe about her book). Those who don't have a subscription can read our free-trial suggestions here.

Frederick Douglass in the 1850 census

1850 finds Frederick Douglass living as a 33 year old editor in Rochester, New York, with his family. We've posted the complete image on our site.

Those with an Ancestry.com subscription can search the 1850 Census--everyname index for their own relatives--who may or may not have been editing things. Those who don't have a subscription can read our free-trial suggestions here.

Count Basie in the 1910 Census

He was probably still learning how to count himself, but the 1910 census found the future Count Basie living with his parents in New Jersey as a six year old.

You can search the 1910 United States Federal Census for your own relatives at Ancestry.com. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

Striiiiiike 1--Abner Doubleday in 1850

Abner Doubleday's 1850 census entry is one of those where you've got to read the entries above it for just about everything except his name and age. Ditto marks come in real handy when everyone has the same job and was born in the same place. Hint: his occupation in 1850 had nothing to do with baseball.

Those with an Ancestry.com subscription can search the 1850 Census--everyname index for their own relatives--who may or may not have been striking out.
Those who don't have a subscription can read our free-trial suggestions here.

1930 Census--Shirley Temple

It is difficult to read, but the last name in this image is Shirley Temple--child star. Imagine trying to find that if you did not already have a good idea of where she was living. The rest of the entry indicates where the family was living in California and the father's occupation.

You can search of the 1930 census at Ancestry.com and see what your relatives are up to.
If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

1930 President

Not many individuals have their "industry" in the 1930 census listed as "United States" and even fewer list their occupation as president. The entire image can be seen here for those who are not aware of who was president in 1930.

You can search of the 1930 census at Ancestry.com and see what your relatives occupations are---doubtful if they are president. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

Peter Graves and James Arness in 1930 Census

Peter Graves and James Arness are enumerated with the last name Aurness in the 1930 census in Minnesota. The brothers were small children at the time of this enumeration and their father worked as a salesman.

You can search of the 1930 census at Ancestry.com and see what your relatives are up to.

If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

A A Milne in the Census

He didn't have a Pooh Bear of his own, but 9 year old A A Milne is shown here in this census enumeration with his parents. The complete image can be seen here.

J. R. R. Tolkien alive in 1901

Didn't know people living in 1901 could still have new books published in 2007, did you? J. R. R. Tolkien has a new book coming out according to several sources and yet he was already a small child in 1901 when he was enumerated with his widowed mother in the United Kingdom census. Fans of the book may be glad this unfinshed book is finally being published. I'm not a big fan, so I can't speak to that. I can only help wondering...if Tolkien had been a Chicago resident would he still be voting?

Photographer Ansel Adams in 1910

I doubt if took any pictures when Albert DeGuerre came knocking to take the census, but he certainly was enumerated in 1910. Photographer Ansel Adams was only 8 in 1910 and is enumerated with his parents in San Francisco, California in 1910. His father, Charles Adams, is listed as being in the lumber business.

You can search the 1910 United States Federal Census for your own relatives at Ancestry.com. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

Women's Rights Advocate Elizabeth Cady Stanton-1870

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the leaders of the women's rights movement is listed as "keeping house" in 1870 as shown in the image in this post.

The family was living in Hackensack, New Jersey and their household included four servants.

You can search for your relative in the 1870 census, but chances are if your female relative was "keeping house" she didn't have four servants to help. Those who don't have a subscription can read our free-trial suggestions here.

1930 Census--June Carter Cash

It is one of our most popular "famous census" pages--June Carter Cash in 1930.

Her real name was not June; she is shown here as Valiria...for Valarie. The census also listed an occupation for her mother, along with the name of an employer--not many women in rural Virginia listed themselves as musicians.

You can search of the 1930 census at Ancestry.com and see what your ancestor listed as her occupation--if one is even listed. Those who don't have a subscription can read our free-trial suggestions here.

1910 Census--C. W. Post

I don't eat Toasties anymore, and I certainly don't want any from 1910, but the image to the right shows the occupation listed for C. W. Post (founder of Post cereals) in 1910. The rest of the enumeration includes the rest of the family and the requisite household staff that any large food manufacturer is bound to have.

You can search the 1910 United States Federal Census for your own relatives at Ancestry.com. If you don't have a subscription, you can read our suggestions for a 14 day free trial here.

1850 Census--Nathaniel Hawthorne

We haven't searched for Hester Pyrnne (yet), but Nathaniel Hawthorne is listed as a forty-something author in the 1850 census.

He's living in Stockbridge, Mass, with his family.

Those with an Ancestry.com subscription can search the 1850 Census--everyname index.

Those who don't have a subscription can read our free-trial suggestions here.

1930 Census--no name Jackie O

Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis is enumerated in the 1930 census--well sort of. Her father is listed in in NYC's Manhattan as shown here, but his wife and young daughter are listed without names. Based upon the complete enumeration and known information about the Bouvier family, it's pretty certain this is the right family.

The reason for the unusual entry is anyone's guess, but if it can happen to a future first lady, it could happen to your less well-known ancestors as well. If you can't find someone when searching a census index, make certain you have searched for every family member.

You can search of the 1930 census at Ancestry.com and see if your ancestors show up no names---maybe they were in the witness protection program!

1910 Census--Oscar Mayer

http://www.rootdig.com/1910census/1910_oscar_mayer.html

I had to think of the television jingle to get Oscar Mayer's name spelled correctly--I guess I'm showing my age by even admitting that I remember those commercials ("I wish I were an....")

Oscar Mayer and family are listed as meatpackers in the 1910 census in Chicago.

Search the 1910 United States Federal Census for your own relatives.

Lizzie Borden in US Census Records

We've got Lizzie Borden in the US Census from 1870-1920 on our site for those who are interested in the notorious Borden daughter from Massachusetts. We don't have her in 1910 and anyone who can find her in that year is welcome to email me mjnrootdig@gmail.com and we'll add her image to this site.

Wyatt Earp 1850-1920

We've added census images for Illinois native Wyatt Earp to our site from 1850 through 1920. The gunfighter was born in Monmouth, Illinois, but there is some debate as to the precise spot. Since I wasn't around then, I'm not exactly certain where he was born and the specific coordinates of his birthplace are probably not THAT important. I know precisely where I was born, but that's not too important as I'm not famous ;-)

Tagging the Maytags in 1925

Maytag founder Frederick Maytag's 1925 Iowa State census entry makes two excellent points--the importance of looking for neighbors and the fact that some individuals can be listed by their initials.

My initial searches for Frederick Maytag brought no results with the correct age, but viewing the entry for Frederick Maytag (shown as a son in the neighboring household), I quickly saw the grandparents living next door.

Always consider someone being enumerated under their initials and always pay attention to the neighbors.

Those with an Ancestry.com account (either US or World) can access the Iowa State Censuses (and the images) at Ancestry.com as a part of their account. Those without an account can search the database as part of a free 14-day trial (read our free trial "suggestions" before signing up.)

Cleaning Clothes in 1920

The 1920 Census found the Maytags of Maytag washer fame, living in Newton, Iowa. Frederick Maytag isn't living there anymore---and Maytags are made there anymore either, if I recall. At least they didn't move Maytag's remains to Mexico!

You can clean up on your search for your relatives in the 1920 United States Federal Census. Just don't go too crazy during the spin cycle.

Anne Landers and Dear Abby

We've been giving (and getting) advice on the Iowa State Censuses at Ancestry.com . And it finally dawned on me that the queens of advice giving should be in the 1925 Iowa State Census--Anne Landers and Dear Abby--the Friedman sisters and twins, Esther and Pauline Friedman. And sure enough they were--living in Sioux City, Iowa with their sister and parents.

The census entry for their parents indicates they were born in Russia, but the index entry lists this as the Soviet Union---we're not going to get into that mess here. THe parents were married in Nebraska.

Those who want to find the Friedmans in the census and view the complete set of images (remember for the 1925 census there are three images---completing a set of six pages where the second two sets are overlaid onto the first to prevent the names from having to be rewritten)--can search the Iowa State Census Collection at Ancestry.com.

1927 Katharine Hepburn goes abroad

In 1927 Katharine Hepburn returned to the United States on the Leviathan, sailing from France. The 20 year old was apparently travelling without family as no other Hepburns were listed. One may easily find American citizens on passenger manifests, not just the rich and famous.

These indexes to these records and the digitized images can be obtained for your relative by searching Ancestry.com

Wig Maker, Wig Maker, Make me a Wig

His name is now associated with a company, but not one that makes wigs.
And if any makeup was spilled on his card, I didn't see it.
Max Factor indicates he is a wigmaker on his World War I Draft Card, as shown in the image included in this post. The founder of the cosmetics firm was a Russian native who was living in California at the time of the registration for the World War I Draft.
This card comes from the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 database at Ancestry.com where you can search for your own relatives who might have registered---who knows what their occupation might have been?

Cole Porter-World War I Draft Card

Not everyone listed Carnegie Hall as their employer on their World War I Draft Card, but 25 year old Cole Porter did. The Indiana native is living in New York at the time of the registration.
This card comes from the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 database at Ancestry.com where you can search for your own relatives who might have registered.

Booker T. Washington--1880 Census

The 1880 census found Booker T. Washington working as a 24 year old school teacher in Virginia. His name was a little difficult to read, but this entry was consistent with known information about Washington.

You can search the 1880 Census at Ancestry.com to search for your relative---just be careful about how her name might be written.

1900 Census--Jack Benny

The 1900 census finds comedian Jack Benny enumerated as Bennie Kubelsky, living with his parents in Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois.

The 1900 Census can be searched at Ancestry.com--hopefully your relative did not alter his name as much as Jack Benny did.

1900 Census--Ty Cobb

The future baseball player is 12 years old and living at home with his parents in Georgia. Like many census enumerations, this one is split over two pages. View the complete image to see what his father's occupation was and other information about Cobb's family. If memory serves his wife was a census taker in one of Cobb's later enumerations as an adult.

The 1900 Census can be searched at Ancestry.com.

Pickles in 1900

We can't always locate the ketchup in our house, but I did manage to find Henry Heinz in the 1900 census. H J Heinz and his oldest son are enumerated as pickle manufacturers. The "0" behind the occupation means something, but not how many pickles they made during the year. The column headings on the original indicate the intent.

If your ancestor was in a pickle in 1900, that may be shown when you search the 1900 Census.

Chances are you may find pickles in your refrigerator, but not your ancestor. And if your ancestor is in the refrigerator...well that's another problem entirely.

1900 Willa Cather

In 1900 Willa Cather was a newspaper reporter living in Phildelphia. The author of O Pioneers, My Antonia, and other novels of the western frontier had yet to pen her well-known works.

Philadelphia was probably a big change from rural Nebraska where Cather grew up. Her migration trail was little bit atypical. She was born in Virginia, lived in Nebraska and moved to Pennsylvania where she is shown here in 1900.

The 1900 Census can be searched at Ancestry.com--but keep your ancestor's migration path in mind.

1920 Census--Grandma from the Waltons (Ellen Corby)

Did you know that Grandma from the Waltons (Ellen Corby) was born in Wisconsin of Norwegian parents and grew up in Pennslyvania? I sure didn't.

Her maiden name was Ellen Hansen and her 1920 census entry is partially shown here with her mother and step-father in Philadelphia.

The 1920 United States Federal Census can be searched for your relative--no matter where in the US they were born or were living. Of course, sometimes we search but never find them.

1920 Census-Anthony Quinn

His real name was Antonio Quine (at least in the 1920 census). Those of us with ancestors for whom English was not their native language must always be on the lookout for the "original" name of our ancestor or how their name might have sounded to the census taker. The rest of the image can be viewed on our site, along with the year the Quine family came to America. They were living in California in 1920 where Antonio was a little too young to be an actor.

Search the everyname index to the 1920 United States Federal Census for your ancestor--and keep those alternate spellings and names in mind.

The Voice of Snow White in 1930

Her father was a voice teacher, so I guess Andriana Caselotti got her talent naturally. Fortunately the apple that didn't fall far from the tree in this case was a good one, not one like Snow White (for whom Caselotti provided the voice) ate in the movie.

The 1930 census finds the 13 year old living with her family in Los Angeles, where her father is employed as a voice teacher.

Some occupations and talents tend to run in families. Some are re-developed every generation. And some are just stuck. You can search of the 1930 census at Ancestry.com and see what category your relative falls into.

Harry Houdini didn't escape from the manifest

Harry Houdini returned to the United States on board the Imperator in 1920. Obviously he didn't escape from the manifest and hopefully no one tried to throw him overboard with chains or leg irons on.

Indexes to these records are a part of the Ancestry.com's set of databases. Search for your own relative in ship manifests--hopefully he wasn't thrown overboard in leg irons either.

Candy is Dandy, but Ogden's Not Legal

Ogden Nash penned "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker," but he probably had not written it at the time of this 1920 census enumeration in New York. The 17 year old is living with his parents on 5th Avenue in Manhattan where his father worked in the export business.

You can search the 1920 United States Federal Census for your relative.

1920 Census--Jazz Great Louis Armstrong

The 1920 census found Louis Armstrong living with his mother in a boarding house in New Orleans. The 19 year old is listed as being employed in the "theatre" as a musician. Armstrong was not too difficult to find, but common names in large cities combined with bad handwriting always makes for a challenging search.

You can search the 1920 United States Federal Census for your relative.

1920 Census-Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart and his family were living on West 103rd Street in Manhattan at the time of the 1920 enumeration. The partial image to the right shows most of the household members. The future actor is listed as a 20 year old railroad clerk. I'm not quite certain what the father's occupation is supposed to be.

Those with relatives in the United Statse can search the 1920 EVERY NAME United States Federal Census at Ancestry.com

Hizzoner Richard Daley in 1920

Future Chicago Mayor Richard Daley (the father of the current may0r) is enumerated in the Chicago census at 7621 Green Street--his grandmother is also living there.

You can search the 1920 United States Federal Census for your ancestor who may or may not be living with grandparents and future mayors.

It Looks Like Stone-Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1860

Harriet Beecher Stowe (of Uncle Tom Cabin's Fame) is enumerated in 1860 with her family---but the last name certainly looks like Stone in the image shown in this post.

Think about how your ancestor's name might have been written when searching in the index for her. It might be that an incorrect spelling might not be as "obvious" as you think. Search the 1860 Census at Ancestry.com for your relative---who may also be hiding under an alternate surname.

1930 Census--Marilyn Monroe

We "think" we have Marilyn Monroe in the 1930 census--to be perfectly frank, I'm not 100%, but what follows is the text from our page that contains an image of her suspected 1930 census enumeration.

The Marilyn Monroe Facts Page at http://marilynmonroepages.com/facts.html indicates that Marilyn (formerly Norma Jean Baker) lived with the family of Albert Bolander at 459 E Rhode Island St., Hawthorne, CA, from 1926-32, which is the address of this enumeration (noted on the side of the page). There are other references that provide similar information. Numerous sites indicate that Norma Jean's mother, Gladys, also lived with the family at various times during this period.

There are a few errors in this enumeration, most notably the age (which should be 6--unless it is to indicate 6 years and some months) and the places of birth listed for Norma Jean and her parents. This Norma Jean is listed as being widowed as well. I don't have the answer for this particular discrepancy. However, given the family structure it is likely that whoever answered the questions for Norma Jean was not certain of all the answers.


Gladys Baker's husband, Mr. Baker, went to Kentucky after his divorce from Gladys and this Norma Jean Baker is not his mother. As Gladys was likely estranged from the Baker family, I find it difficult to believe that a member of the extended Baker family would be living with Gladys at the Bolanders.

It seems really coincidental that Marilyn Monroe (formerly Norma Jean Baker) lived with the Bolanders in the late 1920s and early 1930s and yet there is ANOTHER older Norma Jean Baker enumerated in their household and younger Norma Jean Baker is somehow omitted.

If you think she's elsewhere, give a search of the 1930 census and let us know if you find another potential match.

1850 Census--Siamese Twins Chang and Eng Bunker

Talk about a combined household.

The 1850 Census enumerator for Surry County, North Carolina put Chang and Eng Bunker's family in the same household and then simply listed the children in order of age (partially shown in the image on this post). It even looks like the enumerator started to put an "&" after Chang's name as if he were going to put them on the same line. Our site contains the complete image of the Bunker's enumeration.

We've blogged about the 1860 enumeration which lists the twins households separately. Oh the things they don't mention on the list of enumerator instructions.

Those with an Ancestry.com subscription can search the 1850 Census--everyname index.

1920 Census--Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers wasn't always Roy Rogers and one of Hollywood's most famous cowboys didn't grow up on a western ponderosa either. In 1920 he is enumerated as eight year old Leonard Sly in Scioto County, Ohio, with his family (see the complete enumeration). The Ohio native did not move to California until after the 1930 census enumeration.

Those who want to search for less well-known relatives in the 1920 census can do so at Ancestry.com--just make certain you know their correct name and if that name is common, have an idea of where they would be living and others who would be enumerated in the same household.

1920 Census--Walter Cronkhite

The 1920 Census found future newsman living with his parents in a boarding house in Kansas City, Missouri. The complete enumeration indicates Cronkhite was born in Missouri and his father's occupation. Of course, those who want to search for less well-known relatives in the 1920 census can do so at Ancestry.com.

Draft Card--Robert Frost

The World War I Draft Card for poet Robert Frost has one of the most legible signatures I have seen. He lived in New Hampshire, but was a professor at Amherst College in Massachusetts. If memory serves Frost was actually born in California but moved to New England at a young age.

Search World War I Draft Cards at Ancestry.com--maybe your ancestor had a legible signature as well.

1930 Census--Actor Charles Bronson

Enumerated as Charles Bunchinski in Ehrenfeld, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, with his parents listed as Walter and Mary Bunchinski--this was a BIG family. I never realized he was one of twelve children. You can view the family's complete entry to see Mr. Bunchinski's occupation. His rent was $7 a month.

Search the 1930 for your ancestor and see how much he was paying a month for rent.

1930 Census--Mike Wallace

Future journalist Mike Wallace is living with his parents in Brookline, Massachusetts. He's enumerated under Myron Wallace, which is his real name, with his parents Frank and Zina Wallace, living at 179 Rawson Road.

Search the 1930 census for your relatives.

World War I Draft Card--E B White

The World War I Draft Card for E B White contains his complete name of actual name of Elwyn Brooke White. His name is difficult to read, but if you know what it is supposed to be, it certainly makes it easier---just like with a lot of our on relatives' records.

This card comes from the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 database where you can search for your family member to see how he signed his name on his draft card.

1900 Census--Helen Keller

Helen Keller is enumerated in Alabama with her mother and siblings as shown in the image here .

The mother is listed as a landlady and the children are listed as students, including 19 year old Helen.

Search the 1900 census for your relative, who if they were like mine and nineteen years old in 1900 were likely employed--most as farmers or farm laborers.

1930 census--H & R Block

Henry and Richard Bloch were born and raised in Kansas City, the second and third sons of a prominent Kansas City lawyer, Leon Bloch. The 1930 census enumeration for their family indicates they were not living in the low rent district. They were the founders of the tax preparation giant H and R Block.

It might be a little taxing, but you can search the 1930 for your relative at Ancestry.com

1900 Census--Al Capone

Al Capone was located living in New York with his parents and siblings, but because of statistical markings from the Bureau of the Census, it was a little difficult to find him at first.

Search the 1900 census for your relative-hopefully he's not on his way to a life of crime and the Bureau of the Census wrote marks on someone else's name.

1930 Census--Sam Walton of Walmart

The 1930 census found the future founder of WalMart living with his family and enumerated with the nickname of Sammie. You can search the 1930 for your relative at Ancestry.com--just remember they might just be listed under their nickname...

1930 Census--Donna Reed

In 1930 she was Donnabele--not just Donna. The 1930 census enumerator found TV mom Donna Reed living in Iowa with her parents as Donnabele Mullinger.

You can search the 1930 for your relative at Ancestry.com--just remember they might not have the first name you think.

1930 Census-Cloris Leachman

The 1930 census enumeration for actress Cloris Leachman reminds us of several things to remember in genealogical research. Cloris was named for her mother. Apparently her uncle and aunt were living next door. One should always pay attention to the neighbors when doing genealogical research. And who knew she was from Des Moines?

You can search the 1930 for your relative at Ancestry.com

1930 Charlton Heston

The websites say his name is actually James Charles Carter, but we found him in the 1930 census with his parents enumerated as Charlton J. Carter. Of course websites are not always correct---and the census is not always correct either. You can search the 1930 for your relative---just remember his name might not be exactly what you think it is.

1870 Census--Levi Strauss

He's not on page 501...nor is that his house number either.

The Levi Strauss of "Levi" jeans fame is living in San Francisco, California, in 1870.

You can search the 1870 census and see where your ancestor was living, but it won't tell you if he was wearing Levis or not.

1870 Census--George Custer

http://www.rootdig.com/1870census/1870_george_custer.html

George Custer is enumerated in Michigan with his parents in 1870.

His occupation is listed as Captain U S A. Of course, this is before his infamous "last stand." You can search the 1870 census and see where your ancestor was standing...err residing in that year.

1880 Census-Frank Lloyd Wright

The 1880 Census taker found Frank Lloyd twice--this enumeration is with his uncle in Iowa County, Wisconsin.

You never know...you may find your own relative twice in the 1880 census.

1880 Census-Buffalo Bill Cody

The 1880 census finds Buffalo Bill Cody living in North Platte, Nebraska with his wife and family. Not many in 1880 are listed as Actors and Cattlemen, but Cody was in the complete enumeration.

Also in the Cody household are his sister and his neice--remember if you can't find your ancestor or relative in a census always consider looking in the households of other family members.

You can search for your own ancestor in the 1880 census. Of course your relative probably was not a cattleman and an actor--unless you are related to Buffalo Bill Cody.

1920 Census--Charlie Chaplin

1920 finds Charlie Chaplin living as an actor in California. He is an alien, not because he landed on an UFO, but because he was born in England.

Search the 1920 Census for your own ancestor at Ancestry.com--maybe you'll find out they were aliens!

1930 Census--Lucille Ball

Knowledge of the family structure is always important. By 1930 Lucille Ball was living with her mother Desiree and her stepfather Edward Peterson. While Ball was enumerated under her birth name, some individuals are occasionally listed in the census with the same surname as their step-father. You can search for your family member in 1930, but make certain you have their correct last name and are aware of any changes in their family structure.

1930 census--Liberace

He probably could play some piano by 1930, but I bet the candles weren't on the piano yet. And his first name was Walter. Liberace is enumerated with his parents and siblings in the 1930 census in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You can search for your family member in 1930, regardless of whether they can play the piano or not.

No Sandra Day O'Connor in 1930

Sources indicate:


"Sandra Day O'Connor was born on March 26, 1930 in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of Harry A. Day and Ada Mae Wilkey Day, but grew up in southeastern Arizona on a cattle ranch owned by her parents."

We cannot find her--either here with her parents or with either set of grandparents. Of course, the former Supreme Court Justice is not missing any more, but one wonders why she was not enumerated in the census as she technically should have been.

Just something to think about when you can't find your in the 1930 census index .

Where was Jimmy Hoffa in 1930?

No one may know where he is now, but we do know where Jimmy Hoffa was in 1930--living with his mother in Detroit, Michigan. Even if you don't know how your ancestor met his demise, you can search the 1930 census index for your ancestor for him to see where he was hanging out in 1930.

1930 Census--Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson was not born Rock Hudson. Raymond H. Scherer is enumerated in Cook County, Illinois in 1930 with his parents Raymond Scherer and Katherine Scherer. Even if your relative was not an actor, make certain you are rock solid with their name before you search the 1930 census index for your ancestor at Ancestry.com.

A Young Blue Eyes in 1930

His eyes were blue in 1930 (there were no contacts to change your eye color back then), but it would be premature to call him "old Blue Eyes" when he was only 14. This 1930 census enumeration for Frank Sinatra and his parents finds them in Hoboken, New Jersey. Search the 1930 census index for your ancestor at Ancestry.com and remember---it's not necessary to know the eye color to use the census index ;-)

1930 Census--Joe Garagiola

St. Louis was home in 1930 to at least two future baseball players--this one appeared for a short time as a host on the Today Show. Joe Garagiola is enumerated in 1930 with his parents, John and Angeline Garagiola, at 5446 Elizabeth Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri. He like neighbor Yogi Berra was of Italian extraction. You can search the 1930 census index for your ancestor at Ancestry.com but he's probably not enumerated as a baseball player or a talkshow host.

From Lawrence to Yogi Berra--1930 Census

The 1930 census finds future

baseball great Yogi Berra enumerated as Lawrence Berra with his parents in St. Louis. Search the 1930 census index for your ancestor at Ancestry.com and remember that your ancestor's name in 1930 might not have been the name by which you knew him. Census takers occasionally use nicknames, but typically in 1930 that is not the case.

1930 Census--formerly known as Marguerite Johnson

Well known author Maya Angelou was not always May Angelou. In 1930, she was Marguerite Johnson, living with her grandparents in St. Louis where her grandfather is listed as a real estate dealer. Search the 1930 census index for your ancestor .

1930 Census--John Dillinger

The 1930 census finds John Dillinger living at the Indiana State Prison in LaPorte, Indiana.

Interestingly enough, he and the fellow inmates do have an occupation listed.

Search the 1930census index for your ancestor ---hopefully they are not working as shirt shop machine operators in LaPorte, Indiana.

More Money in Beer than in Soap

The 1860 census enumeration for Eberhart Anheuser (who was a forerunner of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company) indicates Anheuser was making soap not beer. Soap money may be clean, but apparently there was more money in beer, just as long as there's no soap in the beer. Search the 1860 Census for your ancestor and see if he was making soap, beer, or just earning a living in 1860.

Occupation: Suffragist

Few women had occupations other than housewife in 1900 and very few were listed as "woman suffrage," but that is how Susan B. Anthony is listed in the 1900 census. Between the blurry ink and the census office notations, her name is very difficult to read, but there is no doubt it is her. You can search the 1900 census for your relative, but your female ancestors likely don't have any occupation listed. Sorry.

1920 Census-Ronald Reagan

Future President's Reagan's family is split in the 1920 census--not in the literal sense--just over two census pages. His parents are both listed as working, father in a shoe store and mother in a dry goods store. Search the 1920 United States Federal Census for your own family members.

1920 Census--John Wayne--who wasn't always John Wayne

John Wayne's actual name was Marion Michael Morrison, which is how he was enumerated in this 1920 census for Los Angeles County, California.

You can search the 1920 United States Federal Census for your own ancestor---just make certain you know his name.

1920 Census--President Kennedy

The 1920 census enumeration for future President Kennedy shows him as a small child

with his parents and siblings. His father is listed as a banker and the household had two siblings, including one who was an Irish native. The household staff were both unnaturalized aliens....

Search the 1920 United States Federal Census for your own family at Ancestry.com

1860 Census--Kit Carson--my wife's relative next door

Even when looking for famous people, it pays to keep your eyes peeled. Living next door to Kit Carson in 1860 is a Robidoux, a distant relative of my wife. Kit Carson is enumerated as Christoper Carson---a suggestion that searching for nicknames is not always a good idea either. Like many entries, this one is split over two census pages, always a good idea to page over and make certain you've got the entire entry (usually a new number for a new household is a good clue as to this). Carson's entry can be seen in full here; you can search the 1860 census for your own relatives as well.

1860 Census--Jefferson Davis

This is part of the entry for future President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. He is living with his family near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A likely relative (also surnamed Davis) is enumerated in the next household. Pay attention to neighbors when you search the 1860 Census for your ancestor (online at Ancestry.com)

1920 Census--Katharine Hepburn

It it Katharine H. the younger who is the well-known actress in this 1920 census enumeration. The Hepburn children all apparently had the same middle name (Houghton) or else the census taker got bored or lazy (grin..). This family's entry is split over two pages, Mr. Hepburn is on last line of the previous page.

Search the 1920 United States Federal Census for your ancestor--hopefully their splits are only due to pagination issues and not marital problems.

1870 Census--Boss Tweed

As the image indicates, several attempts were made to ascertain information on the family of New York City politician "Boss Tweed"

for the 1870 census. The ages of all household members are blank on the census form as are the property values. This note was made by the census taker.

You can search the 1870 United States Federal Census at Ancestry.com for your ancestor--who hopefully answered more questions than the Tweeds did

1920 Census--Coors means Pots not Beer

As noted in an earlier entry, the Coors family made pots (the ceramic kind) during Prohibition. The image here shows the occupation of several members of the Coors family in the 1920 census listed as being also being involved in the malted milk business. The servants are members of the Coors family household staff. The complete enumeration can be seen here. You can search the 1920 United States Federal Census and see what they were making (or where they were working).

Albert Einstein Manifest 1933

Albert Einstein arrived in New York in October 1933 on board the Westernland--his occupation is noted as scientist on the manifest. His race is listed as "Hebrew," but the entry itself is pretty run of the mil.

World War I Draft Card--Norman Rockwell

I'm not certain if it is how he signed his paintings or not, but this is how artist Norman Rockwell signed his World War I Draft registration card. He listed his occupation as freelance artist. This card comes from the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 database at Ancestry.com. The 23 year old was living in New Rochelle, New York at the time he registered. Search the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for your own family member.

e e was really e e

Ever wonder what e e cummings real name was? Well before he was e e cummings, he was Edward E Cummings. And even if you are into unique ways of writing your name, the draft board is pretty standardized. His signature is shown here as it appears on his World War I Draft Registration Card.

Search the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 database at Ancestry.com for your ancestors--who probably left it to the census taker to get creative with how their name was written...

Just Making a Little Pot, Sir--no Beer Here

The World War One Draft Board found this well-known American employed as a chemical engineer for a pottery. Of course 1918 was Prohibition and we can't have any beermaking going on, now can we? This well-known member of a brewing family is making pots until the heat dies down and Prohibition is repealed. He's 34 years old at the time of the draft, but during Prohibition, age was not a factor.

Search the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 database at Ancestry.com for your ancestors--you'll have to use other sources to determine how they felt about Prohibition...

World War I Draft Card--Ty Cobb

It might not look like Tyrus R. Cobb, but that is what it is meant to be. The 30 year old baseball player was a father of three and was playing for Detroit (that's his employer) at the time of his registration. He listed his address as 2425 Williams, Augusta, Georgia.

This card comes from the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 database--where you might also be able to find your non-famous relatives.