"Inmates" in the 1860 census
SAGE, TROY, YEARHART, MOUNT, CLOKE, PUMPHRY
Posted By: Jim Mott (email)
Date: 7/1/2020 at 11:58:54
The 1860 Census for Des Moines Twp, Jefferson County, IA, shows a dozen "Inmates" in the first 16 pages. The Inmates are generally listed last, after the family is enumerated, and come from a variety of birth states/countries, with ages ranging from 6 yrs to 50. Was there some known reason to designate them as Inmates (vs servants or domestics) or is this a quirk of the census enumerator? The word suggests involuntary presence, but I am not aware that any other census (and I have seen thousands in the past 30 yrs) has ever used that word except for prisoners or wards of an institution. Any enlightenment is appreciated.
Jefferson Queries maintained by Joey Stark.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen