W.C. Sharp household, 1855 Illinois State Census, Pope Co.

[Originally published: February 18, 2013]
This 1855 census enumeration [1] follows a few months after the family moved to their Pope County residence. The census only gives the name of the head of household; the other members of the household are counted in several age brackets as shown below. A single census line spanning two pages represents this family, and is rendered vertically below ...

A Brief Survey of the Laws Governing the Illinois State Census Enumeration

When evaluating Illinois state census records from 1845, 1855, and 1865, it helps to understand the laws which governed when and how the census was collected. Many of the early legislative references are available online, such as the Illinois Revised Statutes of 1845. So in addition to summarizing them here, the references provided will make it easier to track down and consult the original documents.

William C. Sharp household, 1880 U.S. Census, Livingston Co., KY

At the time of this census enumeration, the William C. Sharp family had been living at their Livingston County, Kentucky farm for about 10 years.  Here, is the extract of the household enumerated in 1880, lines 38 to 45...

William Sharp household, 1870 U.S. Census, Livingston Co., KY

This census enumeration follows about 9 months after the family moves to their newly acquired Kentucky property from their residence in Illinois. The 1870 U.S. census does not explicitly give the relationships between members of the household. The age recorded for William on line 12 is flagged as a probable recording error.  Here, is the extract of the William Sharp household, lines 12 to 18...

William C. Sharp's will, 1884, Livingston Co., KY

On 2 June 1884, William C. Sharp had this will prepared and witnessed. He would pass away almost 6 months later on 18 December 1884. A transcription of the will follows the images.