The 1810 U.S. census was the United States’ 3rd federal census. It asked the same questions as the 1800 U.S. census. Just as the census before it, the 1810 census form (sometimes called a population schedule) was not pre-printed. U.S. Marshals in charge of the enumeration had the liberty to create their own hand-written form. Censuses for 1810 will look different from place to place but should contain the following information:
1810 U.S. Census Questions and Columns
- Name of head-of-household
- Number of free white males in these age categories:
- under 10 years of age
- 10 and under 16 years of age
- 16 and under 26 years of age
- 26 and under 45 years of age
- 45 years of age and upwards
- Number of free white females in these age categories:
- under 10 years of age
- 10 and under 16 years of age
- 16 and under 26 years of age
- 26 and under 45 years of age
- 45 years of age and upwards
- Number of all other free persons, except Indians, not taxed
- Number of slaves
Important note: There were no age bracket columns for free persons of color or enslaved persons in the 1810 U.S. census.
This article can teach you more about how to read 1810 census documents, how to find them, and how to discover your ancestors if you can't find them in the census.
How to Read the 1810 U.S. Census Form
The 1810 U.S. census only recorded the head-of-household by name. On occasion, you will notice everyone on the census page was listed in alphabetical order. When finding a census page that has persons listed in alphabetical order, you should be aware of possible errors and omissions, as this was a copy of the original census taken by the enumerator.
Enumerators were instructed to make 2 copies of the census once it was completed. Then, these copies were to be hung in a public place in which citizens could review them just as the 1800 census. In some cases, only the copies exist, and that was what was digitized and made available online. Copies often allow mistakes and omissions to creep in so beware of that.
How to Deal with Missing or Hard-to-Read Headings
Most marshals only included the column headings on the first page of the census. Once you begin scrolling through page after page, you might find the column headings disappear. To help you remember which column is which, you can use a “cheat sheet.” This pdf version of the 1810 U.S. census form from the National Archives is easy to download:
Place the “cheat sheet” over your census printout or computer screen to indicate what each column represents.
The 1810 census used tally marks to represent all persons in the household. For example, in the image below, a cheat sheet has been placed over the census page to help differentiate each column.
In this example, the family of Joseph Pratt is indicated by the red arrow. In his home were the following:
- 1 free white male under 10 years of age
- 2 free white males between 10 and 15 years of age
- 1 free white male between 26 and 44 years of age
- 2 free white females under 10 years of age
- 1 free white female between 10 and 15 years of age
- 1 free white female between 16 and 25 years of age
- 1 free white female between 26 and 44 years of age
- 1 enslaved person
The 1810 census did not include relationships. It is often assumed that all young children are the biological children of the head-of-household or that a woman about the same age as the head-of-household was the wife. Be careful to not make these assumptions until you have other records to support your theories.
What States and Territories Participated in the 1810 U.S. Census
Over time, parts of the 1810 U.S. census have been lost or destroyed. Today, the 1810 U.S. census still in existence includes:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Maine (part of Massachusetts)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
Those missing states and territories include:
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- New Jersey
- Ohio (mostly missing)
- Tennessee (mostly missing)
- Illinois (partially missing)
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Orleans
How to Find 1810 Census Records
Where do you think your ancestors were living in 1810? Learn more about the lives of your United States ancestors and find them in the 1810 U.S. census today!
If you can't find someone in the census or don't have a name to search, don't give up! See the sections below on census substitutes and using the FamilySearch shared tree to see what others already know.
Census Substitutes
Census substitutes are a great idea for those searching an area where the 1810 U.S. census is no longer available. Census substitutes could include:
- voter registrations
- tax rolls
- town directories
- and more
Remember, the purpose of a census is to place your ancestor in a given location at a given time. Then, you can look for even more records as you pursue your family’s origins in that place.
See What Others Already Know About Your Ancestors with the Shared FamilySearch Tree
It can be hard to find information about ancestors from the 1800s, but you're probably not alone in searching for them! FamilySearch.org is a great place to see what other cousins and genealogists have already found about your family. Try connecting to the shared, public tree to see if anything about your 1800s ancestors has already been discovered.
