1837 Michigan was admitted to the Union.

Michigan did not require “by law” birth, marriage & death registrations until 1867.

NOTE -
There is a 20 yr. gap in the census records [1880 - 1900] as the 1890 census was burned in the 1920's. Add 20 yrs to everyone's 1880 age for the 1900 census.

I’m not related to any member of this family.

Census records do not record the specific locality of a person’s birth.


1940 is the last available census at this time.


Facts you should know about the early census records –

All census records [1790 – 1840] prior to the 1850 census ONLY listed the head of household; whether male or female.

NO specific age was stated for any family member
NO place of birth was stated – city, state, or country
NO city, town, or village is stated – only the county; however some census takers listed the township
NO street address was stated
NO marital status was stated – single, married, widowed, or divorced
NO family relationship was stated – brother, sister, cousin, son, daughter, wife, inlaw, etc…
NO occupation was stated
NO parental birthplaces are stated
NO race was stated [but assume “white”]

1850, 1860 & 1870 census records do not show family relationships, marital status or parental birthplaces.

Step children are not enumerated as “step” children
Adopted children are not enumerated as “adopted”
Grand children are not enumerated as “grand children”
Orphaned children were not enumerated as "orphan"
Immigration date is not recorded

1850 is the 1st census that shows all family members with their birthplaces

1880 is the 1st census that shows parental birthplaces and family relationships +++


1860 -
Joslin, Wanton and Charles - neither are listed in this census

1850 -
Name: Wanton Joslin
Age: 57
Birth Year: abt 1793
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1850: Gaines, Genesee, Michigan
Gender: Male

Wanton Joslin 57, NY - farmer
Mary Joslin 54, NY
Henery Joslin 20, NY
Harvey Joslin 17, NY
Martha Joslin 15, NY
Orson Joslin 12, NY

1860 -
Name: Charles Joslin
Age in 1860: 43
Birth Year: abt 1817
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1860: Argentine, Genesee, Michigan
Gender: Male
Post Office: Argentine

Charles Joslin 43, NY - shoemaker
Pally Joslin 39, NY
Julia Joslin 15, MI
Mary Joslin 14, MI
Harriet Joslin 12, MI
Martha Joslin 10, MI
Ellen Joslin 8m, MI

Wanton /Joslin/
birth: about 1793
Connecticut
death: 1865
Gaines, Genesee, Michigan