1850 Wilkinson county, MS Federal Census Transcription notes by Tina Hall Enumerator: John C. Sims This enumerator listed the dwelling and family numbers beside the last person listed in the household. Several households had two family numbers assigned to the same dwelling. SPELLING VARIATIONS =================== Jesse was always spelled "Jessee". Elizabeth was always abbreviated "Eliz" and Eliza was spelled out. His Capital "W"s look like "N"s sometimes. The difference was that the "W" ended above while the "N" ended near the bottom line. Margaret was always abbreviated "Marg". His capital T resembled a tilde on the top. They also look similar to his capital P, but the P loops back and under with a loop on the inside of the P. Rachel was consistantly spelled "Rachael". This enumerator abbreviated wherever possible, but occasionally spelled a name out. Mostly if the surname showed a ditto mark. Most William's had the middle initial of "H". When I reference the "Index", I am speaking of the index in the book from S-K Publications. They show some names differently from what I view in the records. I am giving you what I see with a note concerning the spelling shown in the index. The name Limon shows up, but I feel the true spelling is probably "Lyman". This name is familiar to me. UNCOMMON(to the census) NAMES FOUND ==================================== FEMALE: Sinai, Babet (from Germany), Courtney, Lovici, Samantha, Myla, Charity, Belinda, Hetta, Diana, Florida, Rhoda, Lilian, Betsy, Magdelin, Phoebe, Mourning, Letha, Andromica, Clementine, Temperance, Annanias, Henrietta, Lorinda, Zora, Saleta, Delia, Helen, Annette, Demaris, Augusta, Sophia, Georgianna. MALE: Jake, Zebulon, Esaias, Noah, Zachary, Dennis, Wade, Joel, Frank, Dabney, Barton, Lane, Marion, Jared, Martin, Luke, Hugh, Elisha, Jerry, Warren, Jeptha, Newton, Oscar, Kinson, Sylvester, Grandison, Murdock, Pinckney, Archibald, Silas, Barnabas, Alfred, Ulva, Leroy, Josiah, Jehu, Lucius, Davis, Randolph. OCCUPATIONS ============= Most often seen Occupation was Planter. Others included: Blacksmiths, Clerks, Ministers, Doctors, Merchants, Shoe Makers, Wagon Maker, Gin Wrights, Carpenters and a few Lawyers. Rare occupations were: Jeweller, Painter, Druggist, Plasterer, Butcher, Baker, Saddler, Carriage Maker, Confectioner, Brick Mason, Cabinet Maker, Gun smith, Machinist, Collector, Deputy Sheriff, "Bdg House", Mail Rider, Judge, Pedler, Barber, Fiddler, Cistern Builder, "Gardner". MIGRATIONS =========== Most folks were from MS (spelled Miss on the census), however, quite a few came from GA (Georg), VA, CT, OH, TN (Tenn), PA (Penn) & KY. From other countries there was: Prussia, France, England, Germany, Belgium, & Scotland. On p. 278a, line17, there was a country that looked like it was spelled "Hessee". Be very careful when researching names that show they came from PA on this census. This was a decision I made concerning whether or not the state was written as Penn or Tenn. See my explanation of the T & P under spelling variations. PROPERTY VALUES ================= Values were anywhere from about $100 to the $50,000 range. HANDWRITING ============ Somewhere around page 304a, the handwriting seems to change and names that were once abbreviated are now being spelled out in full. I do not feel that this is the same handwriting of the same man. I do not know if another person was ever assigned to this task, but it does not resemble the writing in the beginning of the book. Please use the to return to the census records. ftp://us-census.org/pub/usgenweb/census/ms/wilkinson/1850/