Debra,

As I understand your posting ... You're looking for John Rickman your gg-grandfather, who was born ca 1826 in VA, or NC, on a census record as a child.

As you know census records prior to 1850 only named the head of household, so that eliminates seeing John Rickman, by name, on a census record as a child, if born ca 1826. Birth records for that time period were not 'required' by any official agency, local or state, and are probably found in personal family records such as a family bible.

It sounds as if you located him and his wife on some census records .. I would suggest following the information on those census records as they relate to their marriage, age, location, family structure, etc. for clues on locating other types of records that may give you direction in finding birth, death and parental information.

For the 1860 census of Rockingham Co., NC listed as mulattos are:
John "RUCKMAN" bca 1821 NC
Mariah 1838 NC
Peter 1849 NC
Molissa 1855 NC
Francis 1859 NC

Could this be your John & Mariah? Relationships aren't given on the 1860 census, if this is the family then Mariah might have been a 2nd marriage. I doubt if Peter would have been her child at 11 years of age.
John & Mariah are on the 1860 census indicating they were FPOC. There may be a document somewhere showing how, where, when and why they were FPOC.

Best Wishes in your research efforts,

Art Thomas
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Debra stated:

"I am researching my family ancestry. John Rickman from rockingham county and stokes county in nc was my gg-grandfather. He was married to mariah goins.I cannot find him on a census as a child.I cant find parents or a birth or death certificate. I only know he might have been born around 1826.Maybe he was born in va.There are 3 surnames he is under on census Rickman, Hickman, and Rickmon.Iwas always told they were indian.My granny who was his granddaughter had brown skin and straight black hair. debra"