1850 Census - Tennessee, 8 Volumes in 4

In the early 1970s, Byron and Barbara Sistler began work on the 1850 Census --- Tennessee. At the time they undertook this Herculean task, they had no idea the project would grow to eight volumes (printed as 4 volumes in the 2nd printing), and take approximately three years to complete. Tennessee, at the time of the 1850 census, had a "free" population of approximately 760,00 persons, with all of the original handwritten census schedules on microfilm. Their efforts and attention to detail in transcribing from these records has resulted in one of the most comprehensive transcriptions of a United States Census to date.

The individual entries are arranged by head of household, with names and ages of all family members included, county of residence, household, schedule page numbers, and place of birth (for the first 2 members each household).

Following is an example of a listing:

BAILS, Archablad 60, Polly 52, William P. 23, Fielding H. 26, Roda 20, John 15, Caleb E. 13, Thomas L. 7, T T, Ha-501-121.

This is the family of Archabald Bails, who was age 60. Polly, age 52, was probably his wife. Archabald and Polly were both born in Tennessee. Their place of residence in 1850 was Hancock County, and they were family #501 on the original schedule. The entry appears on page 121 of the microfilm.

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