My First Census Search

Submitted by HostGFSJoy@aol.com

For my first attempt at looking at census records, I decided my greatgrandfather Frederick William Green would be a great candidate. I was certain of where he was during the 1900 Census {Acton, Mass} because my aunt told me stories and had photos of the house, which is still standing. Anyway.....my first find on the census took my breath away to see him listed: 1900 US Census, Middlesex Co. MA, town of Acton, pg 9365B, sheet 10. 

dwelling 226, family 244
Green Frederick ; age 41; born 1858 in England; arrived in America 1875, in this country 25 years ...etc etc. also listing wife, two daughters, and sister-in-law.

Sounds good, and when I did the math, it all worked!. 1900-1875 =25 years in this country; and 1875-1858 = 17 (or depending on the months, maybe 16) years of age at immigration. Aunt Rena Mason Wilson told me the following story concerning Frederick Green's coming to America:

Fred joined the English Army when he was 16 and his mother was very afraid {supposedly she was worried about war, and her son being killed}. She had Fred's uncle get him drunk which led to Fred being shanghaied. He woke up on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with his clothes and pocket watch. He told of sites he saw on the voyage especially the women on some islands and their lack of clothing. When the ship arrived on American soil {I haven't found name of ship or port}, Fred jumped ship. He was worried that he was classified as a deserter of the Army. He did manage to write to get mail to his parents to notify them of his whereabouts, as Aunt Rena did see letters from England. 

Supposedly he was pardoned by Queen Victoria to be allowed to return to England for his mother's funeral [year unknown] but it was after 1913. {? pardoned by which Queen, as Victoria died before then...unless he got the pardon years before returning to England}.  Aunt Rena remembers that he brought back with him a hickory cane and two miniature castles made out of cork.

The immigration information information in this entry appears to be correct (corroborated by the family story).  However, later in my research I've learned that information on the census is not always correct.  Some folks would lie or children would give information that they thought was correct.  We all need to be wary of census information, and verify through other means...but don't overlook something that might be pertinent.  There just might be a mystery waiting to be solved.

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