Dickson County, TN 1860 Federal Census  

       TEXT PARAGRAPH SUBMITTED WITH THE TRANSCRIBED

               !!!Researchers please read!!!

Microfilm number M653-1247 was used to make this transcription. There are 194 pages
and about 7880 names in this census.  The entire census has only one enumerator entered. 
There was only one post office, Danielsville, listed even though there were several other
post- offices in the county.  Danielsville no longer exists.  We are told that it was located
west of Charlotte, Tennessee, between Vanleer and Sylvia.

The page numbers shown in this transcription are the stamped page numbers.  There are
A and B pages.  The B page numbers are not shown on the micro film, but they are shown
in this transcription.

For the most part, the microfilm is clear and easy to read.  The hand writing is generally
good, but there are problems.  The style of writing in that period of time combined with
the enumerators own unique style, make it sometimes a little difficult to understand. 
Knowing the problems encountered in transcribing and proof reading may help researchers
determine the correct spelling of names where we may have erred.  

Spelling of names is copied exactly as enumerator wrote them, or as accurately as we
could read them.  When "spelling of a name questionable" appears in the remarks area, it
indicates our interpretation of how it was spelled by the enumerator is questionable.  
Researchers should check the census microfilm and determine for themselves the correct
spelling they will enter into their records.

The following letters are often difficult to distinguish one from the other.  Although we
made every effort to copy names as they were written, we may have committed mistakes
in transcribing these letters because of their similarity.

     Uppercase G & Y                              Uppercase L & S
     Uppercase F & T                               Uppercase K & R
     Uppercase H & W                             Lowercase n & r
     Lowercase a & o                               Lowercase e & i

The enumerator used ditto marks for surnames, except for the wife.  Her surname was
spelled out as well as the head of household.  However, in many instances the same
surname was spelled differently for the husband and wife. In several cases it was
impossible to determine the correct name for what the dittos stood for.  We have left notes
in the "remarks" area to alert researchers of these problems.

The enumerator made his uppercase 'M' & 'N' in his own particular style that is difficult
to understand. 
Sometimes given names are spelled out and other times only initials are used.  Initials are
used for almost  all names near the end of the census.  In the case of at least one surname,
persons listed had two to three initials entered for given names.  The last letter was a 'V." 
We suspect the 'V' stood for "Von" or 'Van' which should have preceded and was part
of the surname.  In another instance the names was listed as "Fits Patrick."  The name was
very probably "Fitzpatick." 

The symbol that looks like a lower case 'p' or 'f' once used for 'ss' is always used  instead
of a double s.  In some names it is difficult to determine if it is a 'p' or 'ss.'

On the microfilm it appears that the enumerator did not dot his 'i' or cross his 't.' It could
be that his pen strokes were so light that the camera failed to pick them up.  In any case
it was hard to tell if we were looking at an 'e' or an 'i' or if the name was spelled with a
't' or an 'l.' Note that some first names I copied as having a "double l" may in fact have
been a "double t".  Example: Jenella/Jenetta and Marilla/Maritta.   The light pen stroke 
may also apply to ditto marks because it appears he sometime failed to use them where
they should be.

The enumerator always indicated if persons were twins and we have so indicated under
"remarks."

The occupation 'Domestic Lady' was used frequently, usually when females were head of
household but there are other times also.  Many times there are several children in the
household. This may or may not mean this person is a widow.  Ages of 'Domestic Lady"
varied from young to old age.

When any column is not filled in, such as 'sex', 'birthplace', etc.  the letter U for unknown
is used.  The 'Color' column was not filled in for white persons by enumerator and it is left
blank here.  There were a few free persons of color and the enumerator so indicated.  

Sue Airhart, transcriber
James Airhart, proofreader