For United States censuses taken before 1830 the federal government did not provide forms for enumerators to use. Consequently there is not a standard appearance to federal enumerations before that date. Some locations did use their own pre-printed forms, but there was no national standard.  
Newspapers can contain information you may not expect. This item from an 1898 edition of the Denver, Colorado, Denver Post discusses the “disappearance” of a relative and his apparent “reappearance” with a girlfriend. Stories you find may not be quite as scandalous, but details in newspapers can help you fill out your picture of a relative. This item was obtained on GenealogyBank–sponsor of Genealogy of the Day.
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