1855 Census

1855 Massachusetts Census

The 1855 Massachusetts State Census for Georgetown was enumerated by O. B, Tenney, Isaac Wilson, and Caleb Tenney.

Below are the 9 columns used in the 1855 Massachusetts State Census and an explanation of how they were used in this volume. Even what seem to be obvious mistakes in the original census (a Samuel listed as a female or a 10 year old listed as married) have been preserved in this transcription.

1. Dwelling-houses numbered in the order of visitation. This column and the following column have been transcribed into the first column of this volume with a forward slash between the dwelling house and family number.

2. Families numbered in the order of visitation. This column and the preceding one have been transcribed into the first column of this volume with a forward slash between the dwelling house and family number.

3. The name of every person whose usual place of abode on the first day of June, 1855, was in this family. The names have been transcribed surname first, first and middle names second. Those names without a surname preceding them have the same surname as above. If column 9 (Whether Deaf and Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic, Pauper, or Convict) has been marked for a person, a number sign (#) appears after the persons first name and an explanation appears at the bottom of the family grouping. I either the surname or first name of a person is not given, a blank line (---------) has been drawn in.

4. Age. For children under the age of 1 year their age is often given in months. This has been transcribed with a "m" after the number of months. The parenthesis that appear around some of the ages and the question marks that appear after some of the ages are in the original census.

5. Sex. f = female, m = male

6. Color (White, Black or Mulatto). w = White, b = Black, m = Mulatto. This column is usually left blank for white people. To make this transcription clear, a "w" has been inserted whenever the column is blank.

7. Profession, Occupation or Trade, of each male person, over 15 years of age.

8. Place of Birth. Name of the state, territory or country. The two letter U.S. Postal Service abbreviations have been used for the United States. The following abbreviations have been used for countries or other places: ENG = England, FRAN = France, IRE = Ireland, N.B = New Brunswick, N.S. = Nova Scotia, SCOT = Scotland.

9. Whether Deaf and Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic, Pauper, or Convict. If this column has been marked for a person, a number sign (#) has been put after the person's first name and an explanation appears at the bottom of the family grouping.