This slide served as my research’s starting point. From Osorto’s findings, I knew four things:
(1) Rachel Flowers relocated from Florida to Boiling Springs, PA with her father and three siblings in the early 1900s. (2) A Harry F. Flowers was her father. (3) Beginning in fall 1916, she attended Messiah Academy. (4) In the 1950s, Rachel held a civil service position.
As an amateur genealogist, I initially turned to Ancestry.com (free 14-day trial), where I located the Flowers family in the 1910 Federal Census.
Mrs. N.J.P. is listed as the head of the household. Her race–Mulatto; Age–37 years old; Place of birth–North Carolina; Mother’s place of birth–North Carolina; Father’s Place of birth–Virginia. What led to her family’s further migration South? Married for 19 years, a married mother appeared on the census with eight children with no spouse listed in the household.
The census enumerator noted that Mrs. NJP owned her farm. Born between 1894 to 1895, her eldest son Chauncey Flowers gained employment as a porter. Her second eldest son, John C. Flowers (bn. 1897) worked as a farm hand at home. The remaining children, Fred L. (bn. 1899), Rachel H. (bn. 1901), Theodore (bn. 1903), Vincent (bn. 1906), Gladys (bn. 1908), and Clifford Flowers (bn. 1910). What a large family?
The 1910 Federal Census paints a small picture of the Flowers family. It reveals, yet conjures more questions surrounding Harry’s absent, the family’s residence in a predominately white community, and their homeownership. But, this is only the beginning.
Christina
Diary of a Historian 
3 responses to “1910 Census: The Household of N.J.P. Flowers”
[…] Through my work with census records, I have learned a number of things along the way. Census documents are trustworthy primary sources, but they are not always correct. There may be light marks above documents denoting a mistake. I have also learned to read side comments left by enumerators. On the last sheet, enumerators normally include people who are out of place and will note mistakes throughout the document. When I am faced with an occupation that is illegible, I pull out a scrap piece of paper and make out the words. I then write out each letter in the alphabet (cursive or print) in order to compare and contrast. When I am stuck on letter I also compare the enumerator’s penmanship with his or her own handwriting. […]
[…] Clifford Flowers was Harry and Nancy’s last child. Born around 1910, Hilda grew up on her family’s farm in Jacksonville, Florida. […]
I am the direct descendant of this family.Nancy was my great-grandmother. I have read all of your research and read with tears. Christina, I would like to talk with you and finish this tree if possible.