July 8, 2009 - The Ontario and Virginia Andersons - Part 4

Good afternoon,

Today, I've been adding Census records to the Sandra J Anderson Garcia Jun 15 2009 Legacy database. All of the Ontario Canada Voters' List as mentioned in Part 3 have been entered to the database, specifically to great-great-grandfather Gustavus Anderson.

We had a bit of an accident in the kitchen this morning and a cup of coffee was spilled onto a number of my cookbooks... Thanks-be that none got on the genealogy documents. I suppose the old trick of "antiquing" the papers could work to give them a bit of authenticity, but ink-jet print jobs smear and run... The cookbooks that got "java'd" are drying now.

As I entered the information from the 1861 Canada Census, (on the left) identifying great-great-grandfather Gustavus Anderson as head of household, and the 1891 Canada Census, (on the right) with great-great-grandmother Amelia Anderson as head of household, I noticed a number of differences that should be noted. The major differences are the reported ages of the individuals. I need to do a comparison analysis and try to identify a possible correct year of birth for each.

And to top it all, I discovered two new Censuses. An 1850 US Census taken in the Western District in the County of Henrico in the State of Virginia, and an 1840 US Census of the Eastern District of Virginia. Both are subsequent enumerations of the Gustavus Anderson family.

The 1850 US Census for the Anderson family now allows us to note that your great-great-grandparents Gustavus and Amelia Anderson had, at this point in time of recording, at least nine children. They were:

1. William H., born about 1834 in Virginia.
2. Ann Eliza, born about 1838 in Virginia. I have found three other birth year possibilities: 1841, 1847, and 1856. The 1856 year can be eliminated based on the information provided in the 1850 US Census.
3. Martha J., born about 1841 in Virginia. As Martha J. is recorded at a younger age than Ann Eliza by about three or four years It could be safe to conclude that sister Ann Eliza was not born in 1841.
4. Maria L., born about 1843 in Virginia.
5. Sarah, born about 1845 in Virginia.
6. Elizabeth, born about 1847 in Virginia. The year 1847 conflicts with the same year found for older sister Ann Eliza on the 1861 Ontario Census. It also appears that there was additional confusion of ages enumerated in 1891 Ontario Census between Ann Eliza and Elizabeth.
7. Gustavus, born about 1849 in Virginia. An alternate birth location is given as Canada in the 1910 US Census taken in Erie County, New York which would be in conflict with the 1850 US Census recorded in Henrico County in Virginia which of course enumerated that he was born in Virginia.
8. Caledonia, born about 1854, in the United States The 1891 Ontario Census records that she was born in 1861 which would mean that the 1861 Ontario Census could not have her listed at 7 years old, which it does.
9. Nathaniel, born about 1859, in Ontario, Canada.

The 1840 US Census requires a different analysis process. The information that is typically provided on this Census is the name of the Head of Families, and a corresponding number of persons as categorized by Free White Persons; Free Coloured Persons and Slaves. As mentioned I did discover an entry for one Gustavus Anderson in the Eastern District (or Territory) of Virginia and in Henrico County. I am investigating the possibility whether this is could be your great-great-grandfather. It may be as the Gustavus Anderson family is listed as Free Coloured Persons. I will continue this analysis and provide the same on my next posting.

Enjoy,

Jim