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How do I break through the 1850 census?
I have researched my family tree back 3 generations so far,for instance I know my grandfather’s father was George H. Moore, his father was George W.Moore,and now I am stuck because I found George W. Moore’s father was Hianas Morre in the 1850 census for Great Salt Lake,Utah Territory 1850 Census. His wife was Mahala,but it said he was born on the Atlantic Ocean.
Hi Marlena,
I found your gr-gr-grandfather as Thomas Morre in the 1850 census of Salt Lake City, age 50, born on the Atlantic Ocean. You had his name as Hianus Morre above, so I’m not certain if you mistyped or mis-recorded his name.
I imagine that your Thomas Morre (likely Moore) was born enroute to America from whichever country his family originated from. He would be considered an immigrant to America, and if he was born while at sea abt 1800, you may be able to find his immigration record… he would of course be recorded as an infant.
I would continue to try and search for Thomas and Mahala in subsequent census, 1860, 1870, etc. Finding his last known location in the census prior to death may enable you to secure his death certificate which should provide the details concerning his parents names.
You know by the age of the eldest child Elizabeth, that you’re looking for a marriage record likely in American of a Thomas Moore and a Mahala ? who were married before 1827 and after 1821 (based on Mahala’s age). Unfortunately, a search within Ancestry limiting to the information we know comes up with 0 matches. Another avenue is for you to trace the children and see if you can find either birth, marriage, or death records for either of them. Those records may provide Mahala’s maiden name.
Best of luck!
Dennis