What I always find very frustrating (yes, I have frustrating times in my research too!) is trying to track down that ancestor who immigrated to the US, but you can’t find any information about them until years later or some relative tells you. it says that this ancestor came from another country. After doing a certain amount of searching, nothing comes to mind. It’s like an episode of Star Trek, this ancestor mysteriously materializes out of nowhere. You may see a photo of this person later in life or find it in another registry, but that’s about it. It simply cannot be pinpointed when this ancestor arrived or, in some cases, where it originated.
If you think this ancestor arrived before 1900, you might be in luck. The 1900 US Census provides much useful information for the family historian searching for that elusive immigrant ancestor. This was one of the first censuses that provided more detailed information not only about the individual but also when that immigrant arrived in the US.
One of the first eye-catching elements that makes the 1900 Census stand out is the detailed information it provides for each household member. After the individual’s name, each listing lists the relationship of each household member. Then list the month and year of birth for each person. Before and even after the 1900 census, the ancestor’s age was all that was listed. The 1900 census then lists each family member’s relationship and how long each couple has been married. For the mother, the census lists the number of children the mother gave birth to and the number of those children who were still alive at the time the census was taken.
The census identifies where the ancestor was born, as well as the place of birth of the person’s mother and father. Now, this is where this census really shines! With each immigrant in the census, the enumerator lists the year that person immigrated and where that person naturalized at the time of the census. He will see if the person was a foreigner (AL), had applied for the first papers or intended to naturalize (PA) or was already naturalized (NA). This information will then allow you to check passenger lists and naturalization records for possibly additional information about the immigrant’s country of origin and possibly more about that person’s family, especially if the ancestor came with other family members.
You can find copies of the 1900 US Census on microfilm at many public libraries, genealogy archives, the National Archives, and many of the National Archives Regional Centers. You can even read more about this census on the National Archives website. You can also find this particular census on many of the free and paid genealogy websites.
The 1900 census is one way you can not only find where this ancestor lived at this time in history, but it can also give you clues as to when they arrived, whether they were naturalized at the time this census was taken, and confirm where they were. originated. It’s a great way to break down that brick wall and confirm that, no, Scotty didn’t just transport them.