The fact that US census records before 1850 only lists heads of household is a source of frustration to genealogists with US ancestors. It’s also why people who “should be” enumerated can’t be found. It’s not that they aren’t counted in the census, it’s that they are hiding under a tick mark in someone else’s entry. Are they enumerated in a household headed by their father (or perhaps their mother)? Are they living with an older brother or brother-in-law? Are they living in a household headed by their step-parent?

Make certain you have looked at enumerations for all members of the extended family of the person of interest. Are their adults in the household besides the head of household? Could one of those adults be your missing ancestor?

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