Pre-1880 US census records do not indicate the relationship among and between various members of a household. Pre-1850 US census records do not even name everyone living in a household. It can be tempting to think that a household is husband/father and wife/mother with their children, but the reality is often different from that.
The head of household may be a an unmarried person–widowed, never married, or occasionally divorced. They may have younger individuals who are in their household that are not their children, but perhaps step-children, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, a foster/adopted child, another relative, or even hired help. Adult siblings, parents, in-laws, aunts/uncles, or grandparents may also be in the household.
A household is a group of people who are living in the same house. Life circumstances, finances, health, or other reasons may have altered the household from just a couple and their biological children living together. Always be open to that possibility.
To get an idea of the varying types of households, view an US census 1880 and after for several pages. Don’t worry about the names, but look at who is living in the household since the relationships to the head of household are given. It may give you a good perspective on just who may be living together. That’s something worth remembering when looking at censuses in the US before 1880.
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