Hello,

I have a general question about the 1850 Census's slave schedules, stemming from a recent discovery I made while researching an African-American family in Alabama. I found an 1850 census record in Alabama in which the names of all but one person on the page are missing. It still lists the age, race, and sex, but doesn't list the names.

I am trying to determine the relationship of the person whose name is listed to the other people in the list. I at first assumed that he was the slave owner, but it doesn't actually say that so I want to be sure.

I am confused because I had thought that only the names of the slave owners were listed on the slave schedules, but it lists his race as "B," for black, which would most likely imply that he wasn't a slave owner.

So, basically, my question is if there is a set relationship for the only person with a listed name on the 1850 slave schedules. If so, what is it?

Thanks!