United States CensusEdit This Page
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United States 
U.S. Census
- This article is about censuses of the United States. For other uses, see Census (disambiguation).
For details about federal censuses see United States Federal Census 
.
See also Beginning Census Research and Record Keeping and Exploring Census Records in the FamilySearch Learning Center.
| U.S. Census Topics |
| Non-Population Federal Schedules |
| U.S. Census Types |
| Substitute Records |
Other records that show where people lived are:
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Key U.S. Census Internet Links
- Record Search free indexes & images 1850-1920
- U.S. Census Online Internet links
- U.S. Census Bureau Free images of 1790 census for 12 states
- Ancestry.com ($) indexes & images 1790-1930
- HeritageQuest ($) images 1790-1930 + a few indexes
- Fold3.com ($) index & images 1860 and 1930
- Census Finder free census links and how to use census records for genealogical research.
- Cyndi's List - United States - U.S. Census free index of links
Value of Censuses
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city. Census lists are also called “schedules." In the United States a nationwide census has been taken every ten years since 1790. A well-indexed census is one of the easiest ways to locate where an ancestor lived and when they lived there. You can also use censuses to:
- Follow the family over time.
- Determine family relationships.
- Show clues for finding other records.
- U.S. Presidents appearing in census schedules.
Contents of Federal Censuses
Historical Census Browser 1790-1960 (University of Virginia Library)
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Finding Census Records
Census Records by State
Censuses in U.S. Territories
Key Reference Sources
- William Thorndale, and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to U.S. Federal Censuses 1790-1920 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1987) [FHL Book 973 X2th]. Shows county boundary changes in each state from 1790 to 1920, and which census areas were lost or still exist.
- William Dollarhide, The Census Book: a Genealogist's Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes: with Master Extraction Forms for Federal Census Schedules, 1790-1930. (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1999)[FHL book 973 X27d]. An online edition is at HeritageQuestOnline. Discusses indexes, regular, and non-population schedules.
- G. David Dilts, "Censuses and Tax Lists" in Kory L. Meyerink, ed., Printed Sources: a Guide to Published Genealogical Records (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1998), 300-52. [FHL Book 016.9293 P96m] Strategies for finding elusive ancestors, and history of indexing.
- Tiffany Perkins, Tiff's Census Class (27 minute online video) FamilySearch Research Classes Online, and Mid-Continent Public Library, Midwest Genealogy Center, 2010.
- Gary Toms, State and Special Census Records (36 minute online video) FamilySearch Research Classes Online, and Mid-Continent Public Library, Midwest Genealogy Center, 2010.
- Angela McComas, Heads of Household Only: Analysis of Pre-1850 Federal Census (19 minute online video) FamilySearch Research Classes Online, and Mid-Continent Public Library, Midwest Genealogy Center, 2010.
Wiki articles describing these collections are found at:
- United States Census Populaltion Schedule, 1850 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States Census Population Schedules, 1860 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States Census Population Schedules, 1870 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States Census Population Schedules, 1880 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States Census Population Scheduale, 1890 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States Census Population Schedules, 1900 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States Census Population Schedules 1910 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States Census Population Schedules 1920 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States Census Population Schedules 1930 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- United States, Census of Merchant Seamen, 1930 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
Things you can do
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