There is a lot happening in genealogy research right now with websites changing their look and criteria, plus information is being added very quickly. I will attempt to list a few for your reference:

Footnote.com announced that they are “opening their Revolutionary War
Collection free to the public for your ancestry search. This unique collection features millions of
original records found nowhere else on the internet.”

This collection includes: Soldier Service Records, Revolutionary War
Pension Files, Payment Vouchers for Military Pensions, Letters and
correspondence from the Founding Fathers, and more.

With the basic, free, Footnote membership you will also be able to see any
other free images; create your own Footnote pages; spotlight images &
documents, upload, annotate and print your own images; and more. See the
“Join now” page for more details.

Ancestry.com has added new Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Files, 1800-1900 and more. Did you know that 60% of Americans have Revolutionary War roots? Ancestry has also upgraded the Federal Census for 1820 – 1840. If you don’t have Ancestry at home, most libraries have access and your Mormon libraries usually have access as well.

First, the Family Search group released 300,000 names on Friday to the Pilot Family Search site. So, you might want to go to http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start and do some searching.

Second, yes the Family Search group did release a new website – for beta testing. It is not complete and we, here at the conference, have been giving them an earful! It appears that the programing was done by those who have never even done genealogy. So what else is new! So, check it out and use the “Not getting the results you expect? Help us make them better” link in the upper right-hand side of the page to let them know of problems.

The Family Search group released 300,000 names recently to the Pilot Family Search site. So, you might want to go to http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#

Next, the Family Search group did release a new website – for beta testing. It is not complete and we, here at the conference, have been giving them an earful! It appears that the programing was done by those who have never even done genealogy. So what else is new! So, check it out and use the “Not getting the results you expect? Help us make them better” link in the upper right-hand side of the page to let them know of problems.

Some that have been noted include (but is by no means the entire list):

Library catalog:

Does not have the look and feel of a library catalog.

Does not list the call number of books.

Does not list the microfilm numbers.

Does not provide related places.

Does not separate out the State, county, city, etc. records.

Does not contain all of the items listed in the “old” catalog.

Too many clicks of the mouse to drill down to the records you are trying to find.

Trees:

Does not include the Pedigree Resource File.

Does not provide the pedigree chart for a family.

Does not provide a family group sheet for a family.

Difficult to see the children of each wife when a man has more than one wife.

And, finally NARA is reviewing 4 new looks to make is easier to navigate their website. There is also a Facebook page for NARA.

Many counties have genealogy societies that post a lot of information as well. Everyday there seems to be more information accessible on the internet for our ancestry search. It is wonderful to be able to do so much research from your home. Happy hunting!

First, you start with yourself and immediate family.  The best thing to do is use a family tree form or group sheet which you can find free on the internet to write basic information, or copy and paste the one below.  Write your full name, birth date and place, marriage date and place. If you’re married you write the same information for your spouse and children.  Documentation for each event is necessary in research.  Write the surname in capital letters.  When writing dates you would write 30 October 2009, as an example.  Once you get started you may find this process is a bit addictive, as I did.

Obviously having only this information would be a bit boring one hundred years from now, so you want to add other pertinent events with dates, graduations, baptisms, including divorces, second marriages and pictures.  Medical information is also very important to future generations.  Try to leave a picture of your life for your relatives as if they were reading a good novel.

The next step is writing the same information for your parents, including death and place of death, when applicable.  List your siblings, including their children if applicable.  Using a family group sheet for each family is the easiest way to keep track of the families.  There are many types available but the necessary information is the same.  Then, you will want to use a pedigree file as the family group gets larger.  It is so important to list information accurately, especially if you want to join one of the many genealogy organizations where you must prove your heritage.

Note: If you are adopted some choose to list only the adoptive parents, others wish to list information from their birth parents.

You will want to talk to all your oldest living relatives.  Make a list and visit everyone if possible.  They will have stories and they will be able to answer many questions easily that would take a great deal of time in research.  Making a list of questions before your visits can be helpful.  They can tell you stories about those that have passed away and you may find there were some relatives you have never heard of before.

Review your information as you work starting again with you and moving up the line.  The research can get out of hand if you don’t keep things well organized.  I have a file for each family with copies of legal documents.  Some people have them in labeled brown envelopes.

There is much to be learned by joining your local genealogy society, even if you are not living in the place where you grew up.  The internet is absolutely growing by leaps and bounds with new genealogy information.  Ancestry.com is probably the best known but it does cost to join.  The Family History site of the Mormon Church is also a terrific place to do research.  You will become familiar with census from 1790-1930.  For a detailed article explaining each census see http://hubpages.com/hub/Genealogy-I-mportance-of-Federal-Census

There are several computer programs to store your information.  The best known are Family Tree, Legacy, and Roots Web.  They are all good programs and relatively inexpensive.  This keeps all information at your fingertips.

You have a big job ahead of you, so its time to get started!

Descendants of Abel Sprague

Generation No. 1

1.  ABEL2 SPRAGUE  (SOLOMON1) was born 1794 in Dutchess County, New York, and died May 27, 1871 in White Lake, Sullivan County, New York.  He married TABITHA HAZEN 1819 in Lumberland, Sulivan County, New York, daughter of JEREMIAH HAZEN and PRISCILLA WRIGHT.  She was born 1794 in Near Grosham, Orange County, New York, and died August 09, 1871 in White Lake, Sullivan County, New York.

Children of ABEL SPRAGUE and TABITHA HAZEN are:
2.    i.    JEREMIAH3 SPRAGUE, b. January 08, 1820, New York; d. November 1884, Hanson Eddy, Sullivan County, New York.
3.    ii.    DAVID SPRAGUE, b. August 04, 1822, Sullivan County, New York; d. March 30, 1866, White Haven, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
4.    iii.    WILLIAM OSCAR SPRAGUE, b. September 11, 1825, White Lake, Sullivan County, New York; d. March 13, 1887, Bethel, Sullivan County, New York.
5.    iv.    JAMES ALEXANDER SPRAGUE, b. December 12, 1827, Forestburg, Sullivan County, New York; d. June 28, 1909, Montecello, Sullivan County, New York.
6.    v.    SAMUEL W. SPRAGUE, b. July 06, 1828, Sullivan County, New York; d. April 19, 1881, Methol, Delaware County, New York.
vi.    ANNA ELIZABETH SPRAGUE, b. June 16, 1830; d. May 01, 1893, MontIcello, Sullivan County, New York; m. JOHN ABRAM PHILLIPS, October 18, 1849, White Lake, Sullivan County, New York; b. March 16, 1826, Mongaup, New York; d. February 18, 1902.
vii.    STEPHEN SPRAGUE, b. 1832.
viii.    RICHARD WARREN SPRAGUE, b. 1836; m. MARY PRESTON.
ix.    HANFORD SPRAGUE, b. May 03, 1840, White Lake, Sullivan County, New York; m. (1) CELLA ANNIE BUZZA; b. March 06, 1861, Truro, England; m. (2) MARY CLARK, 1871, White Lake, Sullivan County, New York; d. Bef. 1899.

Generation No. 2

2.  JEREMIAH3 SPRAGUE (ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born January 08, 1820 in New York, and died November 1884 in Hanson Eddy, Sullivan County, New York.  He married (1) MARIA WELLS SERGENT, daughter of WILLIAM WELLS.  She died Abt. 1900 in Hanson Eddy, Sullivan County, New York.  He married (2) MARIA SPRAGUE Abt. 1846 in Hanson Eddy, Sullivan County, New York.

Children of JEREMIAH SPRAGUE and MARIA SPRAGUE are:
i.    WILLIAM4 SPRAGUE, b. Abt. 1847.
ii.    HOWARD M. SPRAGUE, b. Abt. 1851.

3.  DAVID3 SPRAGUE (ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born August 04, 1822 in Sullivan County, New York, and died March 30, 1866 in White Haven, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.  He married ELIZA JANE ADAMS July 03, 1841 in Lumberland, Sulivan County, New York, daughter of WILLIAM ADAMS and MAHALA WILLIAMS.  She was born May 30, 1819 in Milford, Ostego County, New York, and died March 20, 1899 in White Haven, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

Children of DAVID SPRAGUE and ELIZA ADAMS are:
7.    i.    ABEL A4 SPRAGUE, b. February 1843, Sullivan County, New York.
8.    ii.    OSCAR LEONARD SPRAGUE, b. August 11, 1844, Near Port Jervis, Sullivan County, New York; d. November 17, 1916, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
iii.    EUGENIA SPRAGUE, b. 1847.
iv.    WILLIAM ELLIOT SPRAGUE, b. April 05, 1849.
v.    AMANDA SPRAGUE, b. 1852.
vi.    GROVE SPRAGUE, b. May 13, 1853.
vii.    EVELINE SPRAGUE, b. 1856.
viii.    ELEANOR J SPRAGUE, b. August 29, 1859.
ix.    GRACE SPRAGUE, b. February 28, 1861.
x.    GILMORE SPRAGUE, b. December 30, 1863, White Haven, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
xi.    GERTRUDE SPRAGUE, b. October 1864.

4.  WILLIAM OSCAR3 SPRAGUE (ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born September 11, 1825 in Whie Lake, Sullivan County, New York, and died March 13, 1887 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York.  He married (1) MARY REBECCA MYERS October 19, 1854 in Highland, Sullivan County, New York, daughter of MOSES MYERS and PHEBE HAZEN.  She was born February 25, 1838 in Highland, Sullivan County, New York, and died August 15, 1855 in Eldred, Sullivan County, New York.  He married (2) SARAH ANN PAYE Bef. 1858 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York, daughter of JOHN PAYE and ELIZABETH BUTLER.  She was born February 14, 1840 in Newburgh, New York.

Child of WILLIAM SPRAGUE and MARY MYERS is:
i.    MARY4 SPRAGUE, b. 1855.

Children of WILLIAM SPRAGUE and SARAH PAYE are:
ii.    ANN E.4 SPRAGUE, b. 1859.
iii.    ELIZABETH SPRAGUE, b. 1862; d. 1948; m. JOHN M. PHILLIPS; b. 1845; d. November 11, 1859.
iv.    ELLA SPRAGUE, b. 1863.
v.    EDA F, SPRAGUE, b. 1864.
vi.    IDA F. SPRAGUE, b. July 09, 1865.
vii.    LOUISA H. SPRAGUE, b. 1866.
viii.    WILLIAM H. SPRAGUE, b. 1867.
ix.    ADDIE L. SPRAGUE, b. 1871.

5.  JAMES ALEXANDER3 SPRAGUE (ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born December 12, 1827 in Forestburg, Sullivan County, New York, and died June 28, 1909 in Montecello, Sullivan County, New York.  He married LYDIA FRANCES TYLER January 28, 1858 in Montecello, Sullivan County, New York, daughter of AMOS TYLER and MARY COMFORT.  She was born December 24, 1839 in Cochecton Township, Sullivan County, New York, and died January 02, 1913 in Middletown, Orange County, New York.

Children of JAMES SPRAGUE and LYDIA TYLER are:
9.    i.    ALFRETTA ALICE4 SPRAGUE, b. February 05, 1859, Cochecton Township, Sullivan County, New York; d. August 17, 1927.
10.    ii.    SUSAN S. SPRAGUE, b. November 04, 1861; d. January 11, 1921, Middletown, Orange County, New York.
iii.    ESTHER ELIZABETH SPRAGUE, b. August 01, 1868, Libety Township, Sullivan County, New York; d. March 12, 1950, Eldred, New York.
11.    iv.    FREDRICK H. SPRAGUE, b. February 18, 1871, Bethel, Sullivan County, New York; d. May 24, 1947.
12.    v.    LEONORE TYLER SPRAGUE, b. August 01, 1875, Bethel, Sullivan County, New York; d. March 12, 1950, Middletown, Orange County, New York.
13.    vi.    SAMUEL D. SPRAGUE, b. April 01, 1885; d. April 13, 1933.

6.  SAMUEL W.3 SPRAGUE (ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born July 06, 1828 in Sullivan County, New York, and died April 19, 1881 in Methol, Delaware County, New York.  He married (1) MARETTA COLE.  She was born March 28, 1853 in New York, and died May 11, 1906 in Middletown, Orange County, New York.  He married (2) ELLEN M. SCOTT.  She died May 27, 1860 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York.

Children of SAMUEL SPRAGUE and MARETTA COLE are:
i.    REYNOLDS4 SPRAGUE.
ii.    JOHN SPRAGUE, b. Abt. 1871.
iii.    ABEL SPRAGUE, b. Abt. 1873.
iv.    VERNON SPRAGUE, b. 1874.
v.    FRANKY SPRAGUE, b. 1875.
14.    vi.    HERBERT S. SPRAGUE, b. 1878; d. Abt. 1946.

Generation No. 3

7.  ABEL A4 SPRAGUE (DAVID3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born February 1843 in Sullivan County, New York.  He married ANNIE 1867.  She was born September 1845 in Pennsylvania.

Children of ABEL SPRAGUE and ANNIE are:
i.    JENNIE JUNE5 SPRAGUE, b. March 07, 1869; d. January 30, 1880, Carbon County, Pennsylvania.
ii.    ANNA LAURA SPRAGUE, b. 1873, Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania; m. LUTHER HEILHECKER, July 02, 1895, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
iii.    MARY J. SPRAGUE, b. 1875, Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

8.  OSCAR LEONARD4 SPRAGUE (DAVID3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born August 11, 1844 in Near Port Jervis, Sullivan County, New York, and died November 17, 1916 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.  He married SARAH JANE SMITH August 02, 1865 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, daughter of ORVIL SMITH and NANCY TOBIAS.  She was born January 31, 1848 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and died January 04, 1926 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.

Children of OSCAR SPRAGUE and SARAH SMITH are:
15.    i.    EDWARD ELMER5 SPRAGUE, b. August 10, 1866, Hickory Run, Carbon County, Pennsylvania; d. October 13, 1944, Niagra Falls, Erie County, new York.
16.    ii.    MARY JANE SPRAGUE, b. July 15, 1868, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. June 08, 1914, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
17.    iii.    CLARENCE OSCAR SPRAGUE, b. April 10, 1872, Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. December 04, 1942, Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
iv.    EDITH CLEMENT SPRAGUE, b. January 28, 1876, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. July 28, 1879, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
18.    v.    GRACE ELENOR SPRAGUE, b. July 28, 1879, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. November 09, 1972, Akron, Summit County, Ohio.
19.    vi.    BUDD ARTHUR SPRAGUE, b. October 20, 1881, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. November 1928, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
vii.    CORINNE TWYLIA SPRAGUE, b. April 06, 1887, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. April 06, 1887, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
20.    viii.    ROBIE DELL SPRAGUE, b. December 18, 1890, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. December 03, 1968, Mountain Home, Baxter County, Arkansas.

9.  ALFRETTA ALICE4 SPRAGUE (JAMES ALEXANDER3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born February 05, 1859 in Cochecton Township, Sullivan County, New York, and died August 17, 1927.  She married BENJAMIN HINDLEY.

Children of ALFRETTA SPRAGUE and BENJAMIN HINDLEY are:
i.    HARRY5 HINDLEY.
ii.    MAUDE HINDLEY.

10.  SUSAN S.4 SPRAGUE (JAMES ALEXANDER3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born November 04, 1861, and died January 11, 1921 in Middletown, Orange County, New York.  She married LEVI TERWILLIGER March 14, 1886 in Mongaup Valley, New York.

Child of SUSAN SPRAGUE and LEVI TERWILLIGER is:
i.    MARGARET5 TERWILLIGER.

11.  FREDRICK H.4 SPRAGUE (JAMES ALEXANDER3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born February 18, 1871 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York, and died May 24, 1947.  He married MARGARET CAMPBELL 1901.  She died 1953.

Children of FREDRICK SPRAGUE and MARGARET CAMPBELL are:
i.    MADOLINE5 SPRAGUE.
ii.    HAROLD SPRAGUE.

12.  LEONORE TYLER4 SPRAGUE (JAMES ALEXANDER3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born August 01, 1875 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York, and died March 12, 1950 in Middletown, Orange County, New York.  She married PETER FLYNN May 18, 1898.

Children of LEONORE SPRAGUE and PETER FLYNN are:
i.    FRED5 FLYNN, b. June 21, 1899.
ii.    BEATRICE FLYNN, b. February 10, 1901.
iii.    MABEL MARGARET FLYNN, b. March 14, 1902.

13.  SAMUEL D.4 SPRAGUE (JAMES ALEXANDER3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born April 01, 1885, and died April 13, 1933.  He married SADIE BROWN.

Children of SAMUEL SPRAGUE and SADIE BROWN are:
i.    CLIFFORD5 SPRAGUE.
ii.    DONALD SPRAGUE.
iii.    OLNIS SPRAGUE.

14.  HERBERT S.4 SPRAGUE (SAMUEL W.3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born 1878, and died Abt. 1946.

Children of HERBERT S. SPRAGUE are:
i.    MARGARET5 SPRAGUE.
ii.    HAZEL SPRAGUE.

Generation No. 4

15.  EDWARD ELMER5 SPRAGUE (OSCAR LEONARD4, DAVID3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born August 10, 1866 in Hickory Run, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, and died October 13, 1944 in Niagra Falls, Erie County, new York.  He married ESTELLE “STELLA” MAE WILKINS April 03, 1889 in West Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.  She was born July 25, 1867 in Penwater, Michigan, and died February 18, 1959 in Lockport, Niagra, New York.

Children of EDWARD SPRAGUE and ESTELLE WILKINS are:
i.    BLYTHE MARALE6 SPRAGUE, b. March 08, 1890, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. California; m. BRONSON.
ii.    JESSE EDWARD SPRAGUE, b. August 07, 1891, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. May 1954, Niagra Falls, Erie County, New York.
iii.    ESTELLA JOSETTE SPRAGUE, b. January 23, 1893, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. Niagra Falls, Erie County, New York.
iv.    RUTH SPRAGUE, b. February 1898, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. Lincoln, Nebraska.
v.    MARJORIE HELEN SPRAGUE, b. July 1903; d. Murray, Utah; m. RICHARD BRONSON.
vi.    IRIS SPRAGUE, b. 1907, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

16.  MARY JANE5 SPRAGUE (OSCAR LEONARD4, DAVID3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born July 15, 1868 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and died June 08, 1914 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  She married DAVID PADEN July 03, 1888 in Williamfield, Ashtabula County, Ohio.

Children of MARY SPRAGUE and DAVID PADEN are:
i.    ALLAN D.6 PADEN.
ii.    HAYWAD PADEN.
iii.    HILDA PADEN.
iv.    CLARE PADEN.

17.  CLARENCE OSCAR5 SPRAGUE (OSCAR LEONARD4, DAVID3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born April 10, 1872 in Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and died December 04, 1942 in Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio.  He married ELLA WOOD December 28, 1893 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.  She was born August 17, 1875 in Edenburg, Erie County, New York, and died May 14, 1960.

Children of CLARENCE SPRAGUE and ELLA WOOD are:
i.    EDITH PAULINE6 SPRAGUE, b. December 31, 1894, Pisttsburg, Pennsylvania; d. August 1901, 1Millvale, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
ii.    CLARENCE LAVELLE SPRAGUE, b. 1895, Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. 1895, Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
iii.    GALE WOOD SPRAGUE, b. December 18, 1897, Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. November 22, 1970, Salem, Columbina County, Ohio; m. ELLA UNKNOWN; b. Bet. 1897 – 1898, Ohio; d. Bef. 1970.
iv.    PATRICIA MAE SPRAGUE, b. Bef. 1900; d. Bef. 1900.

18.  GRACE ELENOR5 SPRAGUE (OSCAR LEONARD4, DAVID3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born July 28, 1879 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and died November 09, 1972 in Akron, Summit County, Ohio.  She married FREDRICK BRAYTON WRIGHT September 29, 1897 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.  He was born July 07, 1879 in New York, and died July 07, 1939 in Akron, Summit County, Ohio.

Children of GRACE SPRAGUE and FREDRICK WRIGHT are:
i.    CLARENCE6 WRIGHT, b. July 01, 1899, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. February 25, 1974, Elyria, Lorain county, Ohio; m. EDNA M. CRAIG, September 21, 1917, First Church of Christ, Akron, Ohio Rev. C. E. Wise; b. 1901, Ohio; d. January 07, 1982, Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio.
ii.    HAROLD B. WRIGHT, b. 1911, Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio; d. September 10, 1988, Fairlawn, Summit County, Ohio; m. IRENE J; b. June 22, 1915; d. November 18, 2006, Clinton, Summit County, Ohio.
iii.    MARGARET G. WRIGHT, b. July 09, 1900, Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. June 24, 1992, Stark County, Ohio; m. TELLER WILLIAMS, 1920; b. Abt. 1896, New Mexico; d. Bef. 1992.

19.  BUDD ARTHUR5 SPRAGUE (OSCAR LEONARD4, DAVID3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born October 20, 1881 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and died November 1928 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  He married (1) MILDRED FULLER July 16, 1910 in Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, daughter of STANLEY FULLER and NETTIE ROSE.  She was born February 1888 in Ohio, and died Bef. 1963 in Geneva, Ohio.  He married (2) MILDRED SHEA July 16, 1910 in Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio.

Children of BUDD SPRAGUE and MILDRED FULLER are:
i.    LLOYD LEVERN6 SPRAGUE, b. July 30, 1911, Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. May 29, 1990, Ashtabula County, Ohio; m. (1) JUNE REED; m. (2) ANNA ROSE KOOHNS, June 1942.
ii.    ROBERT DONOVAN SPRAGUE, b. January 16, 1914, Andover Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. 1963, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; m. (1) ETHYL ADDA SMITH; b. October 27, 1915, Madison, Ohio; m. (2) IDA MAE DAVIS, Bef. 1935; b. January 14, 1916, Frankfort, Kentucky.

Child of BUDD SPRAGUE and MILDRED SHEA is:
iii.    MILLICENT6 SPRAGUE, b. 1906.

20.  ROBERT (ROBIE) DELL5 SPRAGUE (OSCAR LEONARD4, DAVID3, ABEL2, SOLOMON1) was born December 18, 1890 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and died December 03, 1968 in Mountain Home, Baxter County, Arkansas.  He married (1) OLIVE MAE CHRISTIANSON August 08, 1913 in Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio, daughter of CHARLES CHRISTIANSON and OLIVE BEAN.  She was born July 22, 1893 in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and died October 24, 1946 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  He married (2) HAZEL E. PRICE January 02, 1947 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Children of ROBERT SPRAGUE and OLIVE CHRISTIANSON are:
i.    BEVERLY ANNE6 SPRAGUE, b. 1919, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio; d. 1919, Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
ii.    ROBERTA ANNE SPRAGUe, b. Blocked, Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; m. DOUGLAS WAYNE DILL, May 05, 1945, Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; b. January 03, 1918, Huntingdon, Carroll County, Tennessee; d. May 23, 2002, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.

The 1850 Federal Census had a weath of new information listed as compared to the previous years.

A logical place to start looking for family members is the United States Federal Census; there is a wealth of information to be found if you search your census records carefully. The great news is that census records are all over the internet, and there are several sites where you will find free census information just by putting the right word in Google search. There are also several good fee based sites, such as Ancestry.com. Your local library is another good source.

In 1787, the constitution, later ratified 21 June 1788, adopted the document that called for an enumeration to begin in 1790, and then every ten years thereafter. As a genealogist, I would like to think these census were created for my benefit, however, that is hardly the case. They track population growth in each state; they establish the head of household and list the family groups after the 1850 census. Census continues to expand each year, tracking place of birth, place of parent’s birth, unrelated people living in the household, occupations and quite often you will find other relatives in the same area.

In 1790, the first enumeration provided information for the first 13 states, listing head of household, gender, free white males above and below 16 years of age, number of women and number of slaves. Sometimes they are well preserved and legible and sometimes they are difficult to read. The name of the state, city or county is listed, as well as, the enumeration number.

In 1800, 5.3 million people represented a more than 35% growth in ten years. The ages were broken down into smaller categories, i.e. 0-10 years. The number of other free persons (except Indians who were not taxed), the number of slaves, the town, the district, and county of residence were all listed. The categories allowed Congress to determine the number of people residing in the United States for the purpose of taxation (no surprise there) and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives.

By 1810, 7.2 million people represented a 36.4% increase in population, the largest for any decade. Categories were essentially unchanged. In 1820, 9.6 million people represented a 33% growth. The only additions from the previous census were males from 16-18 years to be naturalized, number in agriculture, commercial or manufacture, and number of “colored” persons.

The 1830 census, showed another 33.5% population increase, to 12.9 million people. The age categories for men and women were broken down into 10 year segments. The name of a slave owner and the number of slaves owned by that person were listed, as well as, the number of free “colored” persons. Also, the number of foreigners (not naturalized) in a household and the number of deaf, dumb and blind persons were listed. The 1840 census was similar except they asked the number of Revolutionary War pensioners and the number of people engaged in mining, agriculture, commerce, manufacturing and trade, navigators of the ocean and canals, number in school and the number in the household over age 21 who could not read and write, plus the number of insane.

Finally in 1850, (now 23 million people) the Head of the Household, was followed by his spouse, their children and any others living in the house. Their age at the census date was listed, sex, color, birthplace, occupation of males over age 15, value of real estate, whether married within the previous year, whether deaf-mute, blind, insane or “idiotic” (not sure who would determine that one!), whether able to read and write for people over 21 years and it lists those attending school.  This census gives genealogists a lot more information.

The 1870 census, conducted at the conclusion of the Civil War now covers 37 states and new information but much of the census was lost or destroyed. The 1880 census represented another 30% growth during the previous decade. It was the first census to record the relationship between household members and the head of the house. Several territories were enumerated, plus our 38 states. Oklahoma was not enumerated for non-Indians. A large flux of immigrants were arriving, particularly Germans and the Irish. The 1890 census showed another 25% growth. Unfortunately most of this census was destroyed by fire.

1900 Census Form

1900 Census is a valuable asset as the 1890 census was destroyed and there was heavy immigration over those 20 years.