There is a special part of the federal census called the industry schedule. “Farming” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you hear “industry,” but the industry schedules can have information about our farming ancestors.
What Are the Industry Schedules
The Federal census is made up of several different schedules. The one we use most often in genealogy is the population schedule. It’s the one that lists the people, their ages, birthplaces, etc.
The industry schedule — also called the manufacturing schedule — was a separate schedule taken in 1820, and 1850 through 1880. It includes information about the type of product that was made, the raw materials used, the type of power that was implemented, and even the gender and wages of the employees.
On this 1860 industry schedule from Macoupin County, Illinois, we see Jefferson Croch had a saw and grist mill produced $1125 worth of lumber and $1950 of corn meal. William Loomis also had a saw and grist mill and produced $600 of lumber and $1500 in corn meal. We can also see details about the types of power and the employees.

Why You Need to Look for Your Farmers
The threshold to be listed on the industry schedule was fairly low: $500 worth of materials. Many farmer then, like today, had sideline businesses, such as mills and tanneries. If they produced more than $500, they were to be listed on the industry schedule.
Let’s take a look at who was listed on this industry schedule:
- Jefferson Croch
- Paschal Reader
- William B. Loomis
- William Emerson
On the 1860 federal census (the population schedule), here is how they are listed, along with their occupations:
- Jefferson Croch, sawyer and grist mill
- Paschal Reader, farmer
- William B. Loomis, farmer
- William Emerson, waggon [sic] maker
Although Reader and Loomis listed their occupations in the census as farmers, they made enough in their other businesses that they had to be included on the industry schedule. This gives us a chance to learn a little bit more about them and how they earned their living. Your ancestors could be in the same situation — farming was their “official” occupation, but they had a side business that would require them to be listed on the industry schedules.
(By the way, because they were farmers, we should also look for them on the agriculture schedules. Check out my post “Did Great-Grandpa Grow Hemp?” to learn more about those records.)
Finding These Schedules
Some of the industry schedules are available on FamilySearch. (Illinois and Iowa are online; look for “non-population.” Check the catalog for what is available on microfilm.) Some are online on Ancestry in their “Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-population Schedules, 1850-1880” collection. You can also find some of these schedules on microfilm at larger libraries and state archives.
Great Tip!
Thanks!
Where would I find the 1820 special schedule?
I don’t know of anywhere online. I would suggest looking in the FamilySearch catalog to see if they have the state you want on microfilm. If they don’t, check with the state archives or state historical society.
Amy,
I want to let you know that your blog post is listed in today’s Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/12/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-december-18.html
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Jana! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
A wonderful weekend to you, too!
Thank you “over the moon”! All of this post is *all* new to me. Now I see why my school teaching Grandfather – who bought a cattle ranch in 1892 – had so tiny an income listed. The cattle/hides/geese/meats were not “salaried”!
Cool, Annette! Glad this helps you!