Learn More About Your Ancestors Through Agricultural Fair Listings in the Papers

Do you have US ancestors who were farmers? Chances are, you do. The 1850 federal census documented over 2.3 million individuals who farmed as a profession, far exceeding other occupational categories at the time. From its inception, the United States was predominantly an agrarian society until it began transitioning towards manufacturing after the Civil War. With agricultural roots so deeply entrenched from the country’s onset, the allure of agricultural fairs and their increased popularity was not surprising.

Agricultural fairs began in the United States in the early nineteenth century. The first was held in 1807 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and was organized by Elkanah Watson. It was a simple affair consisting of sheep shearing demonstrations. Future events evolved into larger, more encompassing gatherings. By the middle of the nineteenth century, some fairs began to include demonstrations of farming technologies.

To entice local citizens to participate in events, prize money or premiums were awarded for top exhibits. Men’s submissions typically included livestock, agricultural goods, and handcrafted works. Women submitted baked goods, floral arrangements, preserves, embroidery, and miscellaneous domestic manufactures that displayed their homemaking skills and talents. The winners in each event had their names published in local newspapers. Listings typically included the finalists’ names, the amount of prize money awarded, and, at times, their township of residence.

These simple bits of information provide insights about your ancestor, including the area where they lived, the types of animals they owned, the produce they grew on their farm, and the talents or skills each possessed. That information can lead to other records, providing even deeper insights into your ancestors’ lives. Their township of residence and the date they appeared in the newspaper provide the starting place for which record sets to search.

Census Records: Begin with the federal census closest to the date your ancestor appeared in the article. If the census was after 1840, the record should list your ancestor’s occupation, which was likely farmer. Additional information in the census could include their age, place of birth, spouse, and children. Some states also took their own censuses every ten years, ending in “5” (1865, 1875, etc.). State censuses asked questions different from those in federal censuses and could provide additional insights.

If your ancestor’s profession was listed as a farmer, search federal non-population census records, specifically agricultural schedules. These are available for the years 1850 through 1880 and contain valuable information that could include:

• Name of owner or manager of the farm.
• Number of improved and unimproved acres on the farm.
• Number of livestock owned broken down by breed.
• Amount of agricultural goods produced during the preceding year (broken down by crop.)
• Cash value of the farm, farming machinery, livestock, animals slaughtered during the past years, and “homemade manufactures.

Some entries may include information regarding orchard products, sugar produced (often from maple trees), apiaries, and other products grown or manufactured on the farm. Don’t forget to check the second page of the schedules! Entries from this collection can reveal a glimpse of what daily life on the farm involved for your ancestors.

Plat Maps: Look for your ancestor’s township of residence in plat maps (also called cadastral maps). If they owned property in the area, it could be listed on a township map. These contain a wealth of information, including who your ancestor’s neighbors were, the location of the closest church or school, and how far your ancestor lived from the local post office. Each bit of information you find builds their life story and experiences. If you locate your ancestor in plat books, search for deeds.

Deeds: If your ancestor lived on a farm, it was possible he owned it, although some individuals rented property. Check local deeds to see when the property was purchased and from whom. Sometimes, fathers sold or gifted land to children, which could provide more information about your ancestor’s family.

Back to the Newspapers: If your ancestor was awarded a premium in a fair, it is possible he or she may be listed in other news articles. Remember to search for variations of your ancestor’s name, such as “Jas” for James or initials that your ancestor may have gone by. Begin with a broad search, then narrow the results using quotation marks for specific searches.

Don’t forget to check back periodically to perform new searches. Newspapers.com™ adds eight to ten million new images to the site each month! Head to Newspapers.com™ today and learn more about your ancestors’ agricultural fair listings.