All My Ancestors

Have you seen this book?

Tricking the Tallyman

author Jacqueline Davies and illustrated by S. D. Schindler.

It’s meant for children but most genealogists I know would love this story of the first census in the new United States of America.

It’s the story of Phineas Bump who is assigned to deliver a “fair and true” count of every citizen in his territory, which is Tunbridge, Vermont.

But the citizens of Tunbridge don’t want to be counted.

At least initially.

It’s the first census in the new nation, and it’s interesting to see the response of the townfolks.  Some things never change.  Rumors fly as to the reason for the census–to raise taxes, to draft soldiers, to build roads, to increase votes, to develop mail delivery–all as planned by those rascally fellows in Philadelphia.

Mrs. Penelope Pepper attempts to play the poor tallyman (census taker)–the ensuing story is both entertaining and educational.

In librarian terms, this book is known as an “easy.”  That means it’s meant to be read to young children, before they can read for themselves.  The illustrations are wonderful and kids will indeed enjoy the story AND the pictures.

But so will grown-up genealogists.