[Genealogy] Pre-1850 US Census Tick Marks, Assuming Too Much, and More

Thu Jan 15 17:10:06 CST 2026

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15 January 2026

** Those pre-1850 US Census Tick Marks
** Assuming Too Much?
** NotebookLM for Genealogy--An AI tool that May Make You Think
** Full-Text Search at FamilySearch Webinar

Don't miss our new webinar on NotebookLM for Genealogy-our approach is
laid-back, informative, easily applicable and understandable, and not a
"everything about this is perfect" viewpoint.

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Those pre-1850 US Census Tick Marks
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It can be difficult in pre-1850 United States census records to know to
whom reference is made in various age category tick marks.

Usually the person listed as the head of the household is the oldest male
shown in the enumerator’s tick marks. However there are potential
exceptions:

   - a widowed female is the head of household and the oldest male is her
   underaged son or the oldest male is her aged father or father-in-law who
   may not actually be the actual “functional” head of household but is still
   living in the household
   - the oldest male is the father or father-in-law of a younger male in
   the household and that younger male is the actual head of household

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Assuming Too Much?
-----------------

When one is unfamiliar with the laws of an area it can be easy to assume
things that simply are not true.

Nancy Rampley and her youngest son sued all her other children (and his
siblings) in the early 1900s over the title to her farm in Illinois. One
could look at this as a great disagreement between Nancy and her son and
the other children. That was not the case.

Nancy’s husband died leaving no will. Nancy and all her children owned the
farm jointly. Nancy wanted to sell the farm and move to town. The only
problem was her youngest son was a minor and unable to sign of his own
accord. Consequently Nancy and the youngest minor child had to sue the rest
of the family. It was the only recourse they had due to his age.

What I originally thought was a huge family squabble was really the result
of the youngest child’s age, the law at the time, and Nancy’s unwillingness
to wait to sell the farm and move to town.
--------------------------
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--------------------------

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-----------------------------

January 2026 Full-Text Search at FamilySearch Webinar

Intro price ENDING--regularly $37.50--save $30

-----------------------------

We’re excited to offer this revised presentation on the full-text searching
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-------------------

Common Names When Using Full-Text Search?

-------------------

Having difficulties with common names when using the full-text search at
FamilySearch? Take a look at our presentation on this very topic.

Common Name webinar:

https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2025/11/04/common-names-at-familysearch-full-text-webinar/

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--  ------------------------------------
Michael John Neill
Genealogy Tip of the Day
http://www.genealogytipoftheday.com
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