US Census – Base – 1900, 1910, 1920

Deciphering the information about my great grandparents in this branch of the tree is proving to be quite the challenge. My understanding from family members is that my great grandfather’s surname was “Boese” when he immigrated from Germany. When they came to the US, they changed their name to “Base” (which is pronounced the same as the German surname, but easier to deal with in America). His son David — my grandfather — eventually changed his last name to “Boese” before marrying my grandmother.

 

 

Much of the data dealing with Henry Base in the 1900 census is inconsistent with later census documents. The 1900 census indicates he was born in February 1870 and was 30 years old, born in Germany, as were both of his parents. He came to the US in 1895 and had been in the country for 5 years. His occupation is listed as “Laborer”, and they are renting their home. [Note: I have not yet followed up on the fact that family members tell me they are living next door to Anna's parents at this point, which does seem probable given the names of the neighbors on the form.]

Anna is listed as being born in October 1875 and was 24 years old at the time of this census. The form indicates she was born in Nebraska, while her parents were born in Ohio. (This also seems to be inconsistent with later documents.) The document indicates that Henry and Anna had been married for one year, and that Anna was the mother of two children, both of whom were still living.

Bertha is listed as being 5 years old, having been born in September 1894. Given the other information on this form, she was born before Henry and Anna had married, around the same time that Henry first came to the US. Their son Louis is listed as being a newborn (April 1900). The form indicates that parents for these children were both born in Nebraska (this would not be the case if Henry Base were their father).

 

 

In 1910, the family is apparently living in Tabor Precinct, Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Henry Base is listed as being 46 years old (which is inconsistent with data on the other two census forms provided here). It claims that he and Anna have been married for 11 years. There is an additional marking on the form that seems to indicate this is the first marriage for each of them (marking in the column appears to be “M1″). This form indicates that he came to the US in 1870-something (can’t really make out the last digit accurately). He is listed as a farmer working on his own account.

Anna is listed as being 32 years old, having a total of 6 children of which 5 are still living. Bertie’s age is listed as 11 years old, which is not consistent with the 1900 census. Other children listed include Louis (10), Dave (8), May (6), and Gustie (2). On this form, all children are listed as having a father born in Germany and a mother born in Nebraska.

 

 

In 1920, the family is living in Naylor Village, Thomas Township, Ripley County, Missouri. They live on Morgan Street, where they rent their home. This document indicates that Henry came to the US in 1874 and was naturalized in 1879. This appears to be consistent with data from the 1910 census. The form appears to list the name of the town in which he was born, but it is difficult to read. Henry is listed as being 58 years old, which again is inconsistent with data on the other forms.

Anna is listed as being 44 years of age, and on this form it indicates that her father was born in Scotland and her mother was born in Ireland. This information did not appear in the 1900 or 1910 census records, although the entry on the 1910 census record does appear to have been erased and changed. The children are listed as Louis (19), David (18), May (16), Gusta (12), and Lloyd (8). David, Louis, and Henry are all listed as working in a sawmill.

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 (Base Household)
• US Census 1910 (Base Household) [Page 1]
• US Census 1910 (Base Household) [Page 2]
• US Census 1920 (Base Household) [Page 1]
• US Census 1920 (Base Household) [Page 2]

• US Census 1900 Sample Form (PDF)
• US Census 1910 Sample Form (PDF)
• US Census 1920 Sample Form (PDF)