1950 Census Enumerator Notes

I am still focused on the 1950 Census and the additional information and details we can learn from it.

Some of the more interesting things about the 1950 Census are the enumerators’ notes.

Census takers were instructed and encouraged to make notes on the census forms. Not all enumerators made notes, but others made quite a few. Notes about all sorts of things that may provide new and good information for your family history. Their notes provided details about the location of homes, residences, vacant homes, and farms, who did the farming, their livestock, dates of residency, illnesses and death, some editorial comments, and more.

Enumerator notes were written most often in the middle or bottom of the form, but sometimes at the top. Their notes do not correspond to the individual’s census line number, but have a different number, like a footnote, enclosed in a half square. Note numbers start with number 1 on each page.

Enumerator note numbers

Below are some examples of 1950 Census enumerator notes from our area.  

In Rockford, this enumerator detailed the visitation order and the location of residences, some of which were second floor apartments:

  • Block 9 Going from West to East on Walnut.
  • Block 9 Corner of Walnut and Franklin (SW Corner).
  • over pool room on west side of Main St. going south from Columbia.
  • House at alley behind Callahans restaurant, West side of Main between Columbia & Market Sts.
  • Apt over Truway Products Co on West side of Main St between Columbia and Market Sts.
  • Apt over Post Office corner Main and Market, SW corner.

1950 Census, Rockford

Sometimes the enumerator noted directions in rural areas:

  • Going East on rt. 33 from east corporation.
  • 1st house in Mercer going East.
  • Going North on 127 from rt. 33.
  • Going West from 127 on 1st road N. of 33.

1950 Census notes

They noted vacant houses:

  • Start at school going west on 707–Too dilapidated to live [house listed as vacant].
  • Vacant house–is in the process of remodeling.

 

The enumerators in Van Wert County, particularly in Hoaglin, Jennings, and Tully Townships, made some detailed notes about the farms, who did the farming, and some other farm information:

  • His house is on a farm but occupied by non-farm people; This household is listed out of order.
  • This house is located on 20 acres [and] is farmed by Lloyd Poling, 1st house West of Hoaglin township.
  • Information given by neighbor who farms land. He is located in Ridge Township, 1½ miles West.
  • This house is located on 100 acres and is farmed by Burly Stucky, her son, who lives across the road.
  • The people occupy the house only. The land 40 acres is farmed by Mr. Fairst, who lives in 3rd house on right proceeding West along County Line Road from there going in Paulding County.
  • This farm of 80 acres is farmed by Mr. Nobel Thomas of Paulding County, who has 7 acres. Mrs. Bechtal has only 10 acres.

1950 Census, Tully Township

Enumerators in Van Wert County seemed to be particularly fond of chickens:

  • Lives on a small farm [and] feeds a few chickens and has a cow by which she makes a living.
  • This man lives in house and rents all land (120 acres) out. He has no livestock, only a few chickens. The land is farmed by Floyd’s father.
  • These people have chickens.

 

Some other interesting enumerator notes from our area:

  • I gather this person stays in the house only a few months of the year and with her daughter in another county when not at home.
  • Information that an aged lady lives here throughout the summer.
  • [information] Given by other person; owner in California.
  • This person [was] enumerated in household of Dr. L.M. Otis, Celina, Ohio.
  • All acreage rented out.
  • This person lodges in town at the residence of Basil Shaffer, Rockford, O, but was not enumerated there.
  • Gerald Hartel is moving in here but his household was taken in at Van Wert, O.
  • This column no.4 is a son by adoption.
  • Mary has had infantile paralysis and is completely helpless.
  • Kline has her furniture in the house, but been in another home for 8 months due to illness, and being enumerated in Van Wert, O.
  • This house has been vacant for nearly a year, is owned by Lewis Riley.
  • [redacted] is mentally deficient.
  • Bessie is feeble minded and this information was received from a neighbor who farms her farm.
  • In Florida and information given by neighbor.
  • These people live in Rockford more than half the time and were enumerated there.

1950 Census notes, Rockford

One enumerator questioned the amount of reported earnings told to him/her:

  • This figure seems too low since he owns several farms.

1950 Census enumerator notes

Being a census taker was probably sometimes a difficult job:

  • Insisted he had informed brother at his residence to enumerate him.

 

Some people wanted no part in answering what they considered personal and economic census questions:

  • Refused to give information on item 20 dwelling unit side. “None of their Damn business.” Information furnished by wife.

1950 Census

As you look through the 1950 Census, be sure to look for enumerator notes. They are interesting and informative and may give you some additional information about individuals and life in 1950. 

4 comments

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    • Marian Wood on October 25, 2024 at 9:10 am
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    Those enumerator notes are both fun and informative. In the big cities where my ancestors lived, sometimes enumerators noted that info came from the apartment building’s superintendent…no wonder the info wasn’t necessarily complete or correct! A few notes questioning the age of someone, a few notes saying “sample” people refused to provide income details.

    1. I have mainly focused on our rural area but now I want to look through some of the other areas you have mentioned, too. So interesting. Thanks for writing.

    • Marie Bernadette on October 27, 2024 at 5:49 am
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    Très instructif et reflète bien des détails de la vie quotidinne… Merci Karen d’avoir pris soin de souligner ces annotations qui donnent saveur à ces recensements…

    1. You are correct. The information from the 1950 census gives us a glimpse of life in the 1950s. The answers to all those questions give a lot of details. So nice to hear from you and thank you for writing.

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