What I always find very frustrating (Yes, I also have frustrating moments in my research!) Is trying to track down that ancestor who immigrated to the US. But you can’t find any information about him until years later or some member of the family tell you. that this ancestor came from another country. After doing a certain amount of searching, nothing comes to mind. It’s like an episode of Star Trek, this ancestor mysteriously materializes out of nowhere. You may see a photo of this person later in life or find it in another record, but that’s it. It simply cannot be pinned down when this ancestor arrived or, in some cases, where it originated.
If you think this ancestor came before 1900, you may be in luck. The 1900 US Census provides much useful information for the family historian looking for that hard-to-find immigrant ancestor. This was one of the first censuses that provided more detailed information not only about the individual but also when that immigrant arrived in the US.
One of the first striking elements that makes the 1900 Census stand out is the detailed information it provides for each household member. After the person’s name, each enumeration lists the relationship of each household member. Then list each person’s month and year of birth. Before and even after the 1900 census, the age of the ancestor was all that was indicated. The 1900 census then lists the relationship of each family member and how long each couple has been married. In the case of the mother, the census lists the number of children the mother gave birth to and the number of those children who were still alive at the time the census was conducted.
The census identifies where the ancestor was born, as well as the place of birth of the person’s mother and father. This is where this census really stands out! With each immigrant on the census, the enumerator lists the year that person immigrated and where that person has naturalized at the time of the census. You will see if the person was a foreigner (AL), had applied for the first papers or the intention to naturalize (PA) or was already naturalized (NA). This information will allow you to check passenger lists and naturalization records to possibly obtain additional information about the immigrant’s country of origin and possibly more about that person’s family, especially if the ancestor arrived with other family members.
Copies of the 1900 United States Census on microfilm can be found in many public libraries, genealogy archives, at the National Archives, and at many of the National Archives Regional Centers. You can even read more about this census on the National Archives website. You can also find this particular census on many of the free and paid genealogy websites.
The 1900 census is a way that you can not only find where this ancestor lived at this time in history, but it can also give you clues as to when they arrived, if they were naturalized at the time this census was taken, and confirm where they were. originated. It’s a great way to tear down that brick wall and confirm that, no Scotty just didn’t transport them.