Genealogy Jottings

Over the years, many states took a census in mid-decade. These often contain different information than the federal census does, and I have looked at those for Nebraska and North Dakota in the past to flesh out a family. This week it finally dawned on me to look for that rascal Samuel Reed on the 1885 Kansas census which is available on Ancestry. I knew my great-aunt was born in Harper County in 1884, but the family moved on to Missouri some time after that. I got lucky! They were in Edwards County, KS in 1885! This census is wonderful because it includes birthplace (not just the state but also town/county) and information on Civil War service. The only problem with the data for Sam Reed is that his war service information conflicts with what is reported on the 1890 Missouri schedule of surviving veterans. The Kansas census says he served on pontoons in Illinois; the 1890 schedule states he served in the Kansas infantry. He is not on the Kansas roster, however, so now I can follow up on this Illinois pontoon clue. A state census can really move research along if one remembers to look there.

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