Enumeration (required by federal law), or abstract, taken from the 10th U.S. census, 1880, containing data (compiled by each town) pertaining to 55,211 residents of Monmouth County. Information pertaining to each individual includes name, race, gender, and age at last birthday. Enumerations were posted for two days by the County Clerk, allowing public review and subsequent correction.

Transferred to the repository by Jane G. Clayton, Monmouth County Clerk. Finding aid and indexes in the repository.

I. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

The 1880 Enumeration is an abstract taken from the 1880 Federal Census. The federal census act of 1879 required enumerators to make an abbreviated copy of the 1880 census, providing only the name, age, sex, and race of each person. The enumerations were posted for two days by the County Clerk in the courthouse, allowing the public to point out needed corrections, if any. The total number of individuals listed in Monmouth County was 55,211.

II. SCOPE AND CONTENT

The data was compiled by town and names are listed alphabetically by surname, except that members of families are grouped. In some cases, towns are divided into districts: Freehold (two); Howell (two); Middletown (two); Ocean (two); Raritan (two); Shrewsbury (three); and Upper Freehold (two).

The information in the volumes pertaining to each resident includes: name, race (white, black, mulatto, Chinese, American Indian); gender (male or female); and age at last birthday (prior to June 1980). No Chinese residents were recorded.

In place of the missing 1880 county copy of the federal census, the 1880 Enumeration provides a conveniently accessible record of Monmouth's inhabitants (the 1880 federal census is available at the National Archives).

Genealogist Roger D. Joslyn has noted that the 1880 enumerations can be used to locate families not covered by the WPA's Soundex index (which includes only households, in which there was at least one child aged ten or younger) as well as individuals missed or incorrectly indexed.

III. USE

Seven computer-generated indexes are available to facilitate use of the 1880 Enumeration:

Except for the Count of Residents by Town, the indexes provide the name, age, race, town, and district where each individual was found. They also specify the volume number and page where the individual appears. The 1880 Enumeration is available for use on microfilm.