US Census Records

Old Document

U.S. census records are a primary source for family history research. These government surveys can provide information about families and individuals across many decades. You can track a family's migration, document the birth of children and discover clues as to a person's parentage and birthplace.

History of the American Census

The first census was authorized by Congress for 1790 to count residents for the purpose of apportioning Congressmen to the U.S. House of Representatives. Since that time, every ten years the population is counted. Early ones were conducted by enumerators visiting every home. Now, they are mailed to each household and enumerators only call on households which do not return their completed form.

U.S. census records are not available for public inspection for 72 years. The latest one available is 1930; the 1940 census will be released in 2012.

Information Available in U.S. Census Records

The questions asked on the census have changed over time. While originally the questions were rudimentary, current enumerations ask many demographic questions.

1790 to 1840

The first enumerations were very basic. Each household was asked:

  • Name of the head of the household
  • Number of white males in household by age
  • Number of white females in household by age
  • Number of other free persons in household
  • Number of slaves

Beginning in 1830, enumerators asked questions regarding physical or mental handicaps and citizenship. In 1840 education levels were added.

1850

The 1850 census was the beginning of a more detailed survey. It was the first to include the names of all members in the household. This makes it the earliest census with the names of married women. For the first time, each household member was asked

  • Place of birth
  • Age
  • Sex
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Occupation
  • Value of real estate
  • If married within the year
  • If pauper or convict
  • If blind, insane, deaf or dumb

1860 and 1870

Conducted on the eve of the Civil War, the 1860 varied only slightly from 1850. The questions were virtually the same, except the personal wealth question was expanded to include the value of personal property. In 1870, the questions remained very similar. The only significant change was the addition of a question regarding the citizenship of males over 15.

1880

The 1880 census asked similar questions as 1870 but with key additions. Respondents were asked their relationship to the head of the household and parents' birthplace. The answers to these questions have aided genealogists in tracking the migration pattern of a family and verifying parentage.

1890

The 1890 census, or the lack of it, is a blow to most American genealogists. It was taken on time and the demographic results tabulated. A fire in 1921, however, destroyed or badly damaged almost all of the original records; only a few fragments have survived. Substitute compilations have been attempted, including the use of the Supplemental Schedule for Union veterans and their widows. These substitutes, however, lack the breadth of a real census.

1900

The advent of the 20th century brought major changes. The number of questions expanded dramatically. Many of these new questions are of great interest to family history researchers:

  • Month and year of birth
  • Number and length of marriages
  • Relationship of household members to the head of the household
  • For women, the number of children born and the number of children living
  • For immigrants, the year of immigration and whether the respondent was naturalized

1910

There were only two significant changes in the 1910 census. Respondents were asked the age of their first marriage, which has helped genealogists locate marriage records. Men were asked if they were either a Union or Confederate veteran of the Civil War.

1920

This was the first census after World War I. Many soldiers were still in the process of returning home from duty and were enumerated as military personnel. No major changes were made for this census.

1930

The latest census to be released, 1930, came almost immediately after the stock market crash of 1929 which heralded the beginning of the Great Depression. This enumeration asked a few new questions of interest to genealogists:

  • Value of home if owned or amount of rent
  • For men, veteran status
  • If there was a radio in the household

Censuses are a favorite tool for genealogists. They provide information on individuals across a great length of time, like breadcrumbs to follow through a family forest.