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Research In Census Records

Research In Census Records  •  Native American Census Links  •  Canadian Censuses
1790 Census • 1800 Census • 1810 Census • 1820 Census • 1830 Census • 1840 Census • 1850 Census • 1860 Census • 1870 Census • 1880 Census • 1890 Census • 1900 Census • 1910 Census • 1920 Census • 1930 Census
1790-1840 Census Birth Year Reference • Suggested Census Reading

Census records are Federal documents that record information on the population of the United States at ten-year intervals. You can find information relevant to a house's history in the population census, including statistics on the property owner, the head of the household, the occupants of the house and their ages, occupations of the residents (including slaves or servants), race of occupants, and country of origin.

 If your house was part of a farm, the Agricultural Census can provide you with information on the type of farming that was carried out on the property, including numbers of livestock, crops raised, and farm buildings. Another kind of census record is the Census of Industry. If your property was connected with some type of industry, such as milling or blacksmithing, you should also look at these records.

Since 1790, the U.S. government has taken a nationwide population count every ten years. Unique in scope and often surprisingly detailed, the census population schedules created from 1790 to 1920 are among the most used of records created by the federal government. Over the course of two centuries the United States has changed significantly, and so has the census. From the six basic questions asked in the 1790 census, the scope and categories of information have changed and expanded dramatically.

Professional researchers recommend that photocopies be made of census pages (microfilm) or save images to your computer (online) whenever possible. The advantages of photocopies over transcriptions are several: the possibility of mistakes being made in the transcription process are eliminated; a photocopy will include neighbors and provide an overview of the population makeup of the area; and a photocopy makes it easy to go back and reevaluate information as new discoveries are made in the research process.

While information in the census may be quite accurate, at times the order in which data has been entered can be misleading. For example, a head of household recorded in 1820, 1830, or 1840 may not be the oldest person in the house. With only age ranges to distinguish, it is impossible to know who may be a grandparent, a younger brother, or a man with both parents still living at home. Individuals listed in early censuses in any age grouping could be servants, visitors, or boarders not related to the family. Even in 1880 and later, the relationships noted apply to heads of household only. Children listed as sons and daughters of the head of household may be unrelated to the wife.

 How to Find Census Records - All available federal census schedules (those made from 1790 to 1930) have been microfilmed. Some state and local agencies have census schedules for the state or area they serve. Generally, microfilm copies may be borrowed through interlibrary loan. It is usually best to begin a census search in the most recently available census records (1930) and to work from what is already known about a family. With any luck, birthplaces and other clues found in these more recent records will point to locations of earlier residence.

Census research is one of the first and most important steps in constructing a family tree. Everyone from genealogists to historians use the federal census for researching family histories. Deciphering census data, however, is not always easy. Below is a list of online resources for United States Federal Census Records. with websites links to United States Federal Census Records.

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1790 Census Records

The 1790 census was begun on 2 August 1790. The marshals were expected to finish the census within nine months of the Census Day—by 1 May 1791. States covered in this census are Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont.

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1800 Census Records

The 1800 census was begun on 4 August 1800. The count was to be completed within nine months. States covered in this census are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont.

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1810 Census Records

The 1810 census was begun on 6 August 1810. The count was due within nine months, but the due date was extended by law to ten months. States covered in this census are Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia

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1820 Census Records

The 1820 census was begun on 7 August 1820. The count was due within six months but was extended by law to allow completion within thirteen months. States covered in this census are Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia

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1830 Census Records

The 1830 census was begun on 1 June 1830. The enumeration was to be completed within six months but was extended to allow completion within twelve months. States covered in this census are Alabama, Arkansas Territory , Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan Territory , Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia

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1840 Census Records

The 1840 census was begun on 1 June 1840. The enumeration was to be completed within nine months but was extended to eighteen months. States covered in this census are Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida Territory, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa Territory, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin Territory

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1850 Census Records

The 1850 census was begun on 01 June 1850. States covered in this census are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota Territory, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico Territory, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon Territory, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Territory, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin

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1860 Census Records

The 1860 census was begun on 1 June 1860. The enumeration was to be completed within five months. States covered in this census are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Dakota Territory, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas Territory, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska Territory, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico Territory, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Territory, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

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1870 Census Records

The 1870 census was begun on 1 June 1870. The enumeration was to be completed within five months. States covered in this census are Alabama, Arizona Territory, Arkansas, California, Colorado Territory, Connecticut, Dakota Territory, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho Territory, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana Territory, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico Territory, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Territory, Vermont, Virginia, Washington Territory, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Territory

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1880 Census Records

The 1880 census was begun on 1 June 1880. The enumeration was to be completed within thirty days, or two weeks for communities with populations of 10,000 or more. States covered in this census are Alabama, Arizona Territory, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Dakota Territory, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho Territory, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana Territory, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico Territory, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah Territory, Vermont, Virginia, Washington Territory, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Territory

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1890 Census Records

Destroyed by a fire at the Commerce Department in Washington, DC on 10 January 1921

  • 1890 United States Federal Censusancestry. This is a census of the U.S. population as of 01 June 1890. While much of this census was lost in a fire, Ancestry has gathered records from that time period to create an 1890 Census Substitute.
  • Surviving fragments consists of 1,233 pages or pieces, including enumerations for states are
    • Alabama—Perry County
    • District of Columbia—Q, S, 13th, 14th, RQ, Corcoran, 15th, SE, and Roggs streets, and Johnson Avenue
    • Georgia—Muscogee County (Columbus)
    • Illinois—McDonough County: Mound Township
    • Minnesota—Wright County: Rockford
    • New Jersey—Hudson County: Jersey City
    • New York—Westchester County: Eastchester; Suffok County: Brookhaven Township
    • North Carolina—Gaston County: South Point Township, Ricer Bend Township; Cleveland County: Township No. 2
    • Ohio—Hamilton County (Cincinnati); Clinton County: Wayne Township
    • South Dakota—Union County: Jefferson Township
    • Texas—Ellis County: S.P. no. 6, Mountain Peak, Ovila Precinct; Hood County: Precinct no. 5; Rusk County: Precinct no. 6 and J.P. no. 7; Trinity County: Trinity Town and Precinct no. 2; Kaufman County: Kaufman.
  • View Sample from US 1890 Census of Washington D.C.
  • Facts about the 1890 Census - from Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
  • Download Free US 1890 Census Extract FormAncestry
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1900 Census Records

The 1900 census was begun on 1 June 1900. The enumeration was to be completed within thirty days, or two weeks for communities with populations of more than ten thousand. States covered in this census are Alabama, Alaska Territory, Arizona Territory, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii Territory, Idaho, Illinois, Indian Territory, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Military and Naval Forces, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma Territory, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

  • 1900 United States Federal Censusancestry. - This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1900 United States Federal Census, the Twelfth Census of the United States. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, address, relationship to the head of household, color or race, sex, month and year of birth, age at last birthday, marital status, number of years married, the total number of children born of the mother, the number of those children living, birthplace, birthplace of father and mother, if the individual was foreign born, the year of immigration and the number of years in the United States, the citizenship status of foreign-born individuals over age twenty-one, occupation, and more. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1900 Federal Census.
  • View Sample from US 1900 Census of Morehouse Parish., Louisiana
  • Facts about the 1900 Census - from Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
  • Download Free US 1900 Census Extract FormAncestry
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1910 Census Records

The 1910 census was begun on 15 April 1910. The enumeration was to be completed within thirty days, or two weeks for communities with populations of more than five thousand. States covered in this census are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Military, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

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1920 Census Records

The 1920 census was begun on 1 January 1920. The enumeration was to be completed within thirty days, or two weeks for communities with populations of more than 2,500. States covered in this census are Alabama, Alaska Territory, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii Territory, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Military and Naval Forces, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Panama Canal Zone, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

  • 1920 United States Federal Censusancestry. - This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1920 United States Federal Census, the Fourteenth Census of the United States. It includes all states and territories, as well as Military and Naval Forces, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the Panama Canal Zone. The census provides many details about individuals and families including: name, gender, age, birthplace, year of immigration, mother tongue, and parents’ birthplaces. In addition, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1920 Federal Census.
  • View Sample from US 1920 Census of Cleburne Co., Alabama
  • Facts about the 1920 Census - from Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
  • Download Free US 1920 Census Extract FormAncestry
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1930 Census Records

The 1930 Census was begun on 2 April 1930, with the exception of Alaska, where the official start date was 1 October 1929. States covered in this census are Alabama, Alaska Territory, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Consular Service, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii Territory, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Panama Canal Zone, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

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Suggested Census Reading

Census CD's

General Books

  • Your Guide to the Federal Census: For Genealogists, Researchers, and Family Historians by Kathleen Hinckley (Author)
    Your Guide to the Federal Census acts as a personal "research assistant" for the beginning genealogist. Census Basics examines the nuts and bolts of census records and the types of information available. Finding Census Records and Indexes reveals where to view the censuses online and off, and how to find most ancestors quickly and easily. Using the Census offers step-by-step instructions covering nearly every scenario for tracing family histories in census records. Also included are case studies, appendices, and a glossary of census terms.
  • State Census Records by Ann S. Lainhart (Author)
    State censuses rank with federal censuses as a major genealogical resource, but, because they were taken randomly, remain a much under-utilized resource in American genealogy. State censuses not only stand as substitutes for some of the missing 1790, 1800, 1810, and 1890 censuses (as well as many county and statewide enumerations lost or destroyed between 1790 and 1890) but also as valuable population enumerations in their own right. Many state censuses, for example, asked different questions than the federal census, so they record information that cannot be found elsewhere in federal schedules. Ann Lainhart's inventory of state census records is the only comprehensive list of state census records ever published. State by state, year by year, often county by county and district by district, she shows the researcher what is available in state census records, when it is available, and what one might expect to find in the way of data. In this way Ms. Lainhart has removed one of the last uncharted territories in American genealogy, opening up a range of fresh opportunities for the researcher.
  • Finding Answers in the U.S. Census by Loretto Dennis Szucs (Author), Matthew Wright (Author)
  • The Census Book: A Genealogist's Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes by William Dollarhide (Author), James A. Derheim (Photographer)
  • The American Census Handbook by Thomas Jay Kemp (Author)
    Though the U.S. federal population census is an essential source for family history research, searching the microfilmed handwritten schedules can be very time consuming and tedious. Census indexes, therefore, are very valuable, significant, and timesaving research aids. Noted author, genealogist, and chair of the Genealogy Committee of the American Library Association, Kemp has pulled together a wealth of information to help readers identify published indexes currently available for federal and other censuses up to and including the 1920 federal population census. Print, CD-ROM, and online titles are included, but indexes published in journals are not. The text is arranged in three sections: by year, general subjects, and geography. The year listings include general U.S. and regional indexes, while the general subjects section includes items concerning ethnic groups and military personnel and their families. The most extensive portion of the book is the geographical section, in which the author identifies numerous statewide and county indexes for each state. This section greatly expands the countywide index listings in William Dollarhide's The Census Book (Heritage Quest, 1999), which includes only those indexes at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City prior to 1986. Kemp has produced a most useful and extensive guide for researchers and librarians.
  • American Population Before the Federal Census of 1790 by Evarts Greene (Author), Virginia D. Harrington (Author), Columbia University Council for Research (Corporate Author)
    This is an exhaustive survey of the population lists, estimates, and statistics that were produced in the American colonies before the first federal census of 1790. The population lists, which are of paramount importance to the genealogist, include poll lists, tax lists, taxables, militia lists, and censuses, and were originally drawn up for purposes of taxation and local defense. Gleaned from archives in Britain and the U.S. and from a wide range of published sources, their itemization in this work puts colonial population records in a handy framework for research, much like Ann Lainhart's work on post-colonial population records below. Coverage, by the way, isn't confined merely to the original thirteen colonies, but includes population lists from territories such as the Illinois Country, Kentucky and Tennessee, and the northern and southern Indian Departments.
  • Local Census Listings 1522-1930 by Jeremy Sumner Wycherley Gibson and Mervyn Medlycott (Paperback - Jun 1992)
  • Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 by William Thorndale and William Dollarhide (Paperback - Jan 2000)
    The county has always been used as the basic Federal census unit. Genealogical research in the census, therefore, begins with identifying the correct county jurisdictions. This work shows all U.S. county boundaries from 1790 to 1920. On each of the nearly 400 maps the old county lines are superimposed over the modern ones to highlight the boundary changes at ten-year intervals. Also included are (1) a history of census growth; (2) the technical facts about each census; (3) a discussion of census accuracy; (4) an essay on available sources for each state's old county lines; and (5) a statement with each map indicating which county census lines exist and which are lost. Then there is an index listing all present-day counties, plus nearly all defunct counties or counties later re-named. With each map there is data on boundary changes, notes about the census, and locality finding keys. There also are inset maps that clarify territorial lines, a state-by-state bibliography of sources, and an appendix outlining pitfalls in mapping county boundaries. The detail in this work is exhaustive and of such impeccable standards that there is little wonder why this award-winning publication is the number one tool in U.S. census research.

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