These records contain information about my great-great grandfather and his family during the early part of the 20th century in Bancroft Township, Cuming County, Nebraska. These documents include information about the year he immigrated to the US, but it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the conflicting data. Additionally, two of these document support the argument that he was born in 1849. The third document supports the argument that he was born in 1848.
June 1900 – Bancroft Township, Cuming, Nebraska
According to the 1900 census, Michael (50) lived with his wife Mary (31) and his children Robert J. (21), Mildred M. (6), Lucille A. (5) and Bryan M. (3). Michael and Mary are listed as being married for thirteen years. Mary is listed as having three children, all of whom were still living at the time this census was taken. This most likely indicates that Mildred, Lucille, and Bryan were children she had in her marriage to Michael. Birth information is listed for all family members — Michael (Nov 1849), Mary (Jul 1868), Robert J. (Nov 1878), Mildred (Aug 1893), and Lucille (Aug 1894). Michael was born in Ireland, as were both of his parents. Mary was born in Michigan, while her father was born in Ireland and her mother was born in Canada. All of the children are listed as being born in Nebraska, with their father (Michael) being born in Ireland. According to this document, Robert’s mother was born in Canada, and the other three children had a mother (Mary) who was born in Michigan.
Michael is listed as a naturalized citizen who immigrated to the US in 1868 (being in the US for 32 years at the time of the census). Michael’s occupation is listed as a dealer for dry goods and groceries. Robert’s occupation is listed as a salesman for dry goods and groceries. Michael, Mary, and Robert were all able to read and write English. Mildred and Lucille had both attended school for nine months. Michael owned his house without a mortgage.
April 1910 – Bancroft Township, Cuming, Nebraska
The 1910 census shows Michael (60) , apparently a widower for a second time, living with three children — Mildred (17), Lucille (16), and Bryan (13). He is living next door to his son Robert. The birthplaces for everyone’s parents is consistent with the previous census, with the exception of Robert (who is living next door). His mother on this form is listed as being born in Michigan, which was likely not the case. Michael’s year of immigration to the US is listed as 1856, which was ten years earlier than the reported date in the 1900 census. Michael’s occupation is listed as the proprietor of a general store working on his own account. He owns his house free of a mortgage.
January 1920 – Bancroft Township, Cuming, Nebraska
The census documents from 1920 show Michael (71) living with his daughter Mary Jane and her husband Alvin Browning (39). Michael’s year of immigration is listed as 1866, with his naturalization taking place in 1867. It appears that they live with another family in the same house (George Edward Anderson and ??? Myrtle).
Original Documents
The original source documents are provided below. Most browsers will let you “right-click” on these links and then “Save Link As” to save a copy of these documents to your computer.
- US Census 1900 (Kelly Household)
- US Census 1910 (Kelly Household)
- US Census 1920 (Browning Household)
- US Census 1900 Sample Form (PDF)
- US Census 1910 Sample Form (PDF)
- US Census 1920 Sample Form (PDF)
This website serves as a repository for photos, blog entries, and other creations from the somewhat random mind of Patrick M. Kelly. There may also be a bit of pocket lint or loose change in the lower right-hand corner.
