In pre-1880 United States census records, the relationship of each person to the head of household is not given. Do not assume that the census entry is husband, wife, and their joint biological children. The family structure may not be that straightforward.
Excellent advice. My gr-grandfather was raised by his step grandmother. Since he appears with her in the 1850 US Census, other researchers have assumed he is her son. Then, once someone post this information online it spreads like wildfire and is impossible to eradicate.
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