If you find a family listed at the top or bottom of a page in the census, take care about blithely hopping to the “previous” or “next” page. Occasionally pages are out of order, so that the family’s continuation is actually not on the page one would assume it will be. If the enumerator has written the surnames in every line, or at least at the top of the next page, this may be easily seen, but sometimes one has to check the page numbers to determine if you are really seeing entries for the rest of the family. However, this
Oktibbeha County, MS, 1930, Enumeration District 24-16, page 2B
example from Oktibbeha County, MS in 1930 lists parents William T. and Lucy Cothran with sons Pope M. and Carl C. on page 2B, while the rest of the household, sons William and James and Lucy’s father, Pope Williams are at the top of page 2 A.
Oktibbeha County, MS, 1930, Enumeration District 24-16, page 2A
Only the dwelling and family visitation numbers reflect the fact that this is a family. So instead of going to the next page, to find the continuation of the family, one must look at the top of the previous page. So remember to examine your material thoroughly to verify that the family grouping is complete and correct.
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