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Digging For Ancestors
Making sense of census records
Census records provide a wealth of information about your family. Pursuing these records is
an excellent Step 4 in your data gathering. (See Getting Started for Steps 1 - 3.)
Review this information on the census in preparation for your research.
an excellent Step 4 in your data gathering. (See Getting Started for Steps 1 - 3.)
Review this information on the census in preparation for your research.
The U.S. Census has been recorded every 10 years since 1790. The records are available for
the years 1790 - 1930 with the exception of 1890. A fire at the National Archives destroyed most
of the 1890 records. There a few records that were salvaged, but not many.
State level census records also exist and cover some time periods in between those of the U.S.
Census. Start with the U.S. level records first and then go to the state level for more information.
It is important to remember that data in the census records is only as accurate as the person
recording the information. Census takers were employed based on their a ability to write.
Spelling or listening skills may not have been as sharp. If a family spoke with an accent, names
were often misrepresented. If a family wasn't at home, some census takers got their information
from neighbors (what if your neighbor had to fill out the census for you?)
Many census takers made mistakes and assumptions that cause us to take these records "with a
grain of salt" until we have other records that confirm with the information. That being said,
they do provide great clues and geographic connections for our family research.
the years 1790 - 1930 with the exception of 1890. A fire at the National Archives destroyed most
of the 1890 records. There a few records that were salvaged, but not many.
State level census records also exist and cover some time periods in between those of the U.S.
Census. Start with the U.S. level records first and then go to the state level for more information.
It is important to remember that data in the census records is only as accurate as the person
recording the information. Census takers were employed based on their a ability to write.
Spelling or listening skills may not have been as sharp. If a family spoke with an accent, names
were often misrepresented. If a family wasn't at home, some census takers got their information
from neighbors (what if your neighbor had to fill out the census for you?)
Many census takers made mistakes and assumptions that cause us to take these records "with a
grain of salt" until we have other records that confirm with the information. That being said,
they do provide great clues and geographic connections for our family research.
What can the U.S. Census tell me?
Each census year a different set of information was collected from U.S. households. It is
important to understand what kind of information is on each census and to consider the clues it
may reveal about your ancestors.
Check back soon for an at-a-glance guide of all the information categories in each census. To
help you target a request for a free census look-up, here are a few helpful notes on each of the
census years:
1790 - 1840 Census Records - contained names only for the head of household. Others were
indicated only by the number of people in specific age categories.
1850 Census Records - Of great value to genealogists, this is the first census to contain the
names of all persons in the household. This was also the first census where the census takers
were provided with printed forms and written directions on how to conduct the census. For this
reason, it is considered far more accurate than earlier censuses.
1860 Census Records - The value of the personal estate and the specific country names for
country of birth (i.e., Ireland vs. Great Britain) were first asked for in the 1860 census.
1870 Census Records - This is the first census to show foreign born parents and naturalized
citizens. If your male ancestor suddenly no longer appears as of this census, you should
consider the possibility that he may have died during the Civil War.
1880 Census Records - The relationship to the head of household appeared first in this census
year along with the marital status of each person in the household.
1890 Census Records - 99% of these records were destroyed due to a fire in the Commerce
Department in 1921. There are very few records in existence and most are incomplete for the
areas they intended to cover. This is a great frustration to researchers who, as a result of this
fire, have a 20 year gap in census information.
1900 Census Records - Month and year of birth are noted for each individual for the first time in
this census. The length of a couple's marriage, the number of children the woman gave birth to
and how many of those children are still living are one of the most valuable things about the
1900 census. For foreign born individuals, the length of time in the U.S. and whether they were
naturalized is also included.
1910 Census Records - The Soundex index was first used for this census. The omission rate of
this indexing system was greater than other indexes. So, you might have to search the actual
records to find your ancestor who does not appear in the Soundex Index. Records for the state
of Mississippi were poorly microfilmed and in some cases unreadable. Unfortunately, the
original records no longer exist.
1920 Census Records - The native language of foreign born citizens was first recorded in this
census. Servicemen were not reported with their families in 1920. Instead, they were reported
with their duty posts.
1930 Census Records - First made public on April 1, 2002. Content is similar to 1920.
U.S. Census Forms
You can obtain census forms for doing your own research of the census at many sites online. Do
a simple search of "free census forms" and you will find multiple sources for downloading
forms.
Each census year a different set of information was collected from U.S. households. It is
important to understand what kind of information is on each census and to consider the clues it
may reveal about your ancestors.
Check back soon for an at-a-glance guide of all the information categories in each census. To
help you target a request for a free census look-up, here are a few helpful notes on each of the
census years:
1790 - 1840 Census Records - contained names only for the head of household. Others were
indicated only by the number of people in specific age categories.
1850 Census Records - Of great value to genealogists, this is the first census to contain the
names of all persons in the household. This was also the first census where the census takers
were provided with printed forms and written directions on how to conduct the census. For this
reason, it is considered far more accurate than earlier censuses.
1860 Census Records - The value of the personal estate and the specific country names for
country of birth (i.e., Ireland vs. Great Britain) were first asked for in the 1860 census.
1870 Census Records - This is the first census to show foreign born parents and naturalized
citizens. If your male ancestor suddenly no longer appears as of this census, you should
consider the possibility that he may have died during the Civil War.
1880 Census Records - The relationship to the head of household appeared first in this census
year along with the marital status of each person in the household.
1890 Census Records - 99% of these records were destroyed due to a fire in the Commerce
Department in 1921. There are very few records in existence and most are incomplete for the
areas they intended to cover. This is a great frustration to researchers who, as a result of this
fire, have a 20 year gap in census information.
1900 Census Records - Month and year of birth are noted for each individual for the first time in
this census. The length of a couple's marriage, the number of children the woman gave birth to
and how many of those children are still living are one of the most valuable things about the
1900 census. For foreign born individuals, the length of time in the U.S. and whether they were
naturalized is also included.
1910 Census Records - The Soundex index was first used for this census. The omission rate of
this indexing system was greater than other indexes. So, you might have to search the actual
records to find your ancestor who does not appear in the Soundex Index. Records for the state
of Mississippi were poorly microfilmed and in some cases unreadable. Unfortunately, the
original records no longer exist.
1920 Census Records - The native language of foreign born citizens was first recorded in this
census. Servicemen were not reported with their families in 1920. Instead, they were reported
with their duty posts.
1930 Census Records - First made public on April 1, 2002. Content is similar to 1920.
U.S. Census Forms
You can obtain census forms for doing your own research of the census at many sites online. Do
a simple search of "free census forms" and you will find multiple sources for downloading
forms.
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