michaeljohnneill 9:36 am on June 3, 2016

The 1820 US Census Counts Some Males Twice

The 1820 United States Census contains two age categories that overlap:

males of 16 years but under 18 years
males of 16 years but under 26 years

Mary Hammond 12:11 pm on June 3, 2016

Why would “they”‘ do that? What was the reasoning behind that?
Fred Hinke 8:45 am on June 4, 2016

See:
http://www.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/help/census_book.html

From Section 1, Page 9:

“A special consideration unique to the 1820 form
asks for all males “16-18” years of age and in
another column, all “males 16-26” years of age.
The purpose of these two categories was to
determine the number of young men in the U.S.
of military age. If a male was shown in the 16-18
column, he would also be in the 16-26 column.
To confirm this, add all the marks for males and
females, then go to the far right-hand side of the
form and find the “total number in the
household” figure. If a male were in the 16-18
category, and at least one male was in the 16-26
category, the number in the “total number”
column should confirm that a person was not
counted twice. Further confirmation of this can
be found in the 1820 instructions to the U.S.
marshals which read as follows:
It will be necessary to remember, that the numbers in
the columns of free white males between 16 and 18
. . . must not be added to the general aggregates,
(they) will all be repeated in the column of those
between 16 and 26.
Genealogists who have recorded the number
of persons and age categories from the 1820
census need to understand the significance of
the added male “16-18” category. One should
go back to the same census sheets to confirm
that the correct number of persons in the
household were noted. It may be enlightening
to learn about that “extra” young man in a
family in 1820 found no where else.”
Jade 4:48 pm on June 4, 2016

Remember it had been just 5 years since the War of 1812 formally ended. Military availables was an important strategic statistic. There were also some politicians with an eye on the Maine boundaries, and indeed there was war on this point not long in the future (look up Aroostook War). Some even wanted to invade Canada.

Genealogy Tip of the Day

with Michael John Neill

The 1820 US Census Counts Some Males Twice