Census Records

Census Records are one of the most valuable types of records in genealogy research, as they can be “linking” documents that confirm relationships between generations.

You may discover names of parents, children, or siblings, and extended family, as well as their relationships to each other. You might learn their year of birth, and where they lived. You may learn if they are widowed, when they were married, when they immigrated, and where they worked. As each census asked different questions, they each provide different answers. Note that earlier census records only provided the name of the ‘head of household’, usually the male, with other members unnamed but counted.

Federal U.S. Census records were taken every ten years from 1790, and are currently available to the public through 1950, with a few exceptions - most of the 1890 Federal Census was lost to fire and water damage, for example. Access to census records is restricted for seventy-two years after the census is taken due to privacy concerns, so for example the 1940 census became available to the public in 2012. The 1950 census became available on April 1, 2022, and is the most recent one available. The next one, the 1960 U.S. Census, is planned to be released April 1, 2032.

Search the 1950 Census

You may search the 1950 U.S. Census for free on the National Archives website, or at FamilySearch (which is free with registration):

Census records are also available in paid databases like Ancestry.com.

In addition to these population census records, there were also non-population censuses taken, including: agricultural, industrial, and mortality censuses taken through the 19th century. You may also find records of military personnel or foreign diplomats, or special schedules, like those pertaining to records of enslaved individuals.

There were also state and territorial censuses taken (view this chart on census.gov for the years taken in each state) that may be of additional use. These records are usually available in each state’s archives though some are available online.

Federal census records have been microfilmed and stored by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), with access available at their locations and the Family History Library. Digital collections are available through FamilySearch.org (free with an account), and subscription-based databases like Ancestry.com. Browse below for direct census links by decade.

The Census Date and Why It Is Important

The people that took the census records, or the enumerators, had a designated date they were meant to visit and record homes in their assigned area (the census date). If they didn’t reach this area on this designated date, they were supposed to act like it was still that date when they finally made it. They should not have recorded information about events that occurred after that designated census date, even a life or death event. If the designated census date was April 1st, and a baby was born on April 2nd, and the census taker made it to that house on April 3rd, they should have acted like it was still April 1st and not recorded the baby’s name or birth.


Two Ways: Search By Name or Browse By Location

There are two main ways to match census records with your ancestors: searching by name, or browsing by location. When searching for records by name, keep in mind only the head of household (usually the oldest male in the family, unless the wife is widowed and not living with older relatives) is listed by name in early census records. The 1850 US Census was the first to list the names of all those in the household, including spouses and children. Search many spelling variations of names, as well as different nicknames. Think about how your ancestor’s name may have sounded when spoken to the census taker, as they often wrote down what they heard.

When searching for your ancestors by location, see if you can narrow it down as much as possible from State to County, then City or Town. This will greatly cut down on how many images of records you need to browse through to find your ancestors. Be aware of county and town boundary changes over time.

When searching later census records, from the 1880 US Census to the 1940 US Census, you can also narrow down the search radius by finding the enumeration district your ancestor was in, and browsing those records first. The enumeration district (ED) was the area that one census taker, or enumerator, could cover in a census. You can discover an ED by looking at enumeration district maps for that census or by using tools to find or convert them between censuses. Use the Unified Census ED Finder from stevemorse.org with direct links to census images for quick results.


Why Census Records May Not Be 100% Accurate

Often inconsistencies are noted between different census years of the same family, including variations on ages and names. While census takers faced fines or other penalties for purposefully misrepresenting facts, errors still occurred for a variety of reasons, and not all were the fault of the census taker. Issues came from miscommunication with language barriers and immigrants, or with people who couldn’t read or write. Other times people reported information incorrectly to the census taker, either because they misremembered or they just guessed wrong (would you know your mother-in-law’s date of birth, or your even your neighbors?). Names may have been spelled phonetically, as heard by the census taker. Also they may have inferred incorrect information, like guessing at the relationship between family members or writing down a person’s race based on what they saw.

In some cases, families even appeared in the census for the same year twice - usually recorded in two different locations by two different enumerators. Remember it took a long time to complete the task of taking the census, and some families may have reported their data and then moved to a location where the census was not yet recorded. Or only one individual from the family may have gone to live with other relatives (or was married) and ended up on the census twice. Or perhaps a women was working in someone’s home and recorded there as well as her own home. These are great reasons enumerators were supposed to adhere to the census date, but it was not always the case.

Other reasons for errors include mistakes made when making copies or transcriptions.


A Few More Tips & Research Clues:

  • Like with most genealogy research, you should start with the most recent events and work backwards. Think about the time frame your ancestor lived in, and start with the latest census they might have appeared in. Find their records for each of their possible censuses.

  • Apply F.A.N. and cluster research methods to census records by looking for names of neighbors or other relatives if you cannot find those of your ancestor. Perhaps your ancestor was not indexed correctly, or the neighbors followed a similar migration pattern, or ancestors went to live with another relative after a death in the family. See Search Methods

  • Think about marriage dates, and when your female ancestor may have appeared with her parents under her maiden name, and when she might be with her husband in her married name.

  • Always check the previous and following page as records are continued on, and families often lived close to each other

  • Read each column carefully, not just the names and ages. Look for abbreviations, notations, and tick marks, and figure out what they mean.

  • The enumerators were given specific instructions on which questions to ask, and how to do their job. Understanding these instructions can help in your research:

  • Several clues in the census records can help you decide which records you should be looking for next. A few examples:

    • Did they own their own home? Sometimes this can be a simple dollar amount in a certain column, or the letter “O” for owned. Look for Deed and Property Records

    • Does it show how many years married? Look for marriage certificates in that time frame.

    • Is the wife now a widow? Look for the spouse’s death certificate in the years between census records (perhaps narrowing down the time-frame with state census records and city directories first).

    • Did you learn your ancestors date of arrival to the U.S.? Look for border and naturalization records.

  • How do you know if you have the correct record - if it is really your ancestor in the census record you discovered and not someone else? Like with all of our sources, we apply our genealogical standards and the burden of proof to our research.

    • Do all the names, ages, birth locations, etc. match all of your other primary source documents and what you know about your ancestors?

    • Have you answered for any discrepancies and resolved any conflicts of information?

    • Have we done exhaustive research, eliminating other similar records?

US Federal Census Records By Decade


The 1790 Census

  • Census date: August 2, 1790 (though Vermont conducted theirs in 1791 after they became a state)

  • This was the first census in the country

  • Only included the Native Americans who lived in town and were therefore taxed, not untaxed Native Americans

  • Requested the name of the head of the family, and the number of people in each category: free white males 16 and up including the head, free white males under 16 years old, free white females, all other free persons, slaves

  • Who should search for 1790 Census records: If you know the name of the your male ancestor that was head of household (probably born before 1774 that would make him 16), from either Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Rhode Island. State substitutions for Virginia may be available.

  • Census was conducted in original 13 states plus districts of Kentucky, Maine, Vermont, and Southwest Territory (Tennessee), but the returns for several states were destroyed in the War of 1812.

  • 1790 Census: Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790 - census.gov

  • 1790 Federal Census (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)

  • Clues in Census Records, 1790 - 1840 - from the National Archives (NARA)

  • 1790 US Census - Ancestry.com, $

  • United States Census, 1790 - on FamilySearch.org, (free with account)


The 1800 Census

  • Census date: August 4, 1800

  • The District of Columbia, though official in 1791, was still administered by the states of Maryland and Virginia, and it’s population may be found under the data for Maryland

  • Showed the head of household, number of free white males and free white females categorized by age, number of all other persons except Indians not taxed, and number of slaves

  • Who should search through 1800 Census records: if you know the name of a male ancestor, born before 1784 at least (would make him 16, still a little young to be head of house) from any of the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, or Vermont

  • 1800 Census: Return of the Whole Number of Persons within the Several Districts of the United States - census.gov


The 1810 Census

  • Census date: August 6, 1810

  • Showed same census questions as the 1800 census

  • Who should search through 1810 Census records: if you know the name of a male ancestor who would be head of household in 1810 (probably born earlier than 1794 which would make him 16) from the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee (only a few records available), Vermont, Virginia

  • 1810 Census: Aggregate Amount of Each Description of Persons - census.gov, note lack of names

  • 1810 Federal Census (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)

  • Clues in Census Records, 1790 - 1840 - from the National Archives (NARA)

  • United States Census, 1810 - on FamilySearch.org, (free with account)


The 1820 Census

  • Census date: August 7, 1820

  • Still only named the head of the household, along with numbers of free white males and free white females organized by age group

  • First to ask about naturalization status (number of foreigners not naturalized)

  • Also asked for the number of persons engaged in agriculture, commerce, or manufacture - though were only supposed to list an individual’s primary occupation and not count them in more than one category

  • Also listed number of male slaves and female slaves by age group, as well as number of free male colored persons and free female colored persons, both by age group.

  • Last category was for number of “All other persons except Indians not taxed”

  • Who should search through 1820 Census records: If your male ancestor was head of household in 1820 (probably born before 1804 making him at least 16), and from 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, or Virginia

  • Returned Census data for 1820 - census.gov, note lack of names


The 1830 Census

  • Census date: June 1, 1830

  • Still only recorded the names of the head of household

  • Showed the number of free white males and free white females by age group

  • Also showed the number of slaves and free colored persons by age

  • First census to ask the number of those deaf and dumb by age group, and number of those blind

  • Also asked about number of foreigners not naturalized, as in previous census

  • Who should search through the 1830 Census records: If your ancestor was head of household (probably born before 1814 making them 16) in Alabama, Arkansas Territory, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida Territory, 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, or Virginia

  • 1830 Census: Fifth Census; or Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States - census.gov

  • 1830 Federal Census (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)

  • Clues in Census Records, 1790 - 1840 - from the National Archives (NARA)

  • United States Census, 1830 - on FamilySearch.org, (free with account)


The 1840 Census


The 1850 Census

  • Census date: June 1, 1850

  • The first to show the name of everyone in the house (not just the head of house)

  • It also included their age, sex, color, birthplace, occupation, education (if they attended school in the previous year, and could read and write English), and if they were married within the previous year

  • Also asked if they were deaf, dumb, blind, or insane

  • Also asked for the value of real estate

  • Who should search through the 1850 Census records: If you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in 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, or Wisconsin

  • 1850 Census: The Seventh Census of the United States - census.gov

  • 1850 Census: Mortality Statistics of the United States - census.gov

  • 1850 Federal Census (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)

  • United States Census, 1850 - on FamilySearch.org (free with account)

  • In 1850 there were also separate slave schedules, which included the number of owned slaves and the number of freed slaves. Unfortunately, these did not have names of the slaves.

  • The 1850 Slave Schedule (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)


The 1860 Census

  • Census date: June 1, 1860

  • Last census to show slave data

  • Similar to 1850 census, but first to ask about the value of a free person’s personal estate

  • Who should search through the 1860 Census records: if you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin; as well as Territories of Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska, Utah, Washington, Indian & Unorganized Dakota

  • 1860 Census: Population of the United States - census.gov, statistics


The 1870 Census

  • Census date: June 1, 1870

  • First census after the Civil War and the end of slavery

  • First census to show all people as individuals, including former slaves

  • Asked about parent’s nationality

  • Several separate schedules: Schedule No. 1: General Population Schedule, Schedule No. 2: Mortality, Schedule No.3: Agriculture, Schedule No.4: Products of Industry, Schedule No. 5: Social Statistics

  • 37 states: West Virginia, Nebraska, Kansas, and Nevada all new states now included, and several territories

  • Who should search through the 1870 Census records: if you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the territories of Arizona, Colorado, Dakota, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

  • 1870 Federal Census (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)

  • 1870 Census: Volume 1. The Statistics of the Population - census.gov

  • 1870 Census: Volume 2: The Vital Statistics of the United States - census.gov

  • 1870 Census: Volume 3: The Statistics of Wealth and Industry - census.gov

  • United States Census, 1870 - on FamilySearch.org (free with account)


The 1880 Census

  • Census date: June 1, 1880

  • First to ask about relationship of a person to the head of house

  • First to ask about the birthplace of a person’s parents

  • First to ask marital status

  • First to show street name and house number

  • 38 states: New state of Colorado included, and several territories

  • 1880 Supplemental forms Schedule 2: Insane, Schedule 3: Idiots, Schedule 4: Deaf-Mutes, Schedule 5: Blind, Schedule 6: Homeless Children, Schedule 7: Prisoners, Schedule 7a: Pauper and Indigent

  • Who should search through the 1880 Census records: if you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, 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, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Territories of Dakota

  • 1880 Federal Census (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)

  • Various Publications of Reports from the 1880 Census Results - census.gov, no names

  • United States Census, 1880 - on FamilySearch.org (free with account)


The 1890 Census

  • Census date: June 2, 1890

  • Unfortunately, the 1890 Census was largely destroyed by fire and water damage. Records are not available.


The 1900 Census

  • Census date: June 1, 1900

  • First to list birth year and month

  • First to show year of arrival in the US, number of years lived in the US, and naturalization status

  • The 1900 and and 1910 census show how many years a couple has been married

  • The 1900 census only took one month to complete

  • 45 states, now including Utah and Hawai’i, and a few territories

  • Special enumerations done of the military and navy, the “Indian Territory”, and large institutions

  • Who should search through the 1900 Census records: if you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the territories of Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, Oklahoma - and Indian Territory, and the Armed Forces (Foreign Countries),


The 1910 Census

  • Census date: April 15, 1910

  • 46 states: adding Oklahoma and several territories

  • Question about military service

  • Who should search through the 1910 Census records: if you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, 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, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; as well as Military and Naval Forces


The 1920 Census

  • Census date: January 1, 1920

  • 48 states: added Arizona and New Mexico

  • First census after end of World War I

  • New questions about year of naturalization and native language

  • “Enumerators wrote down the information given to them; they were not authorized to request proof of age, date of arrival, or other information. The determination of race was based on the enumerator's impressions.” - census.gov

  • Who should search through 1920 Census records: if you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, 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, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the Military and Naval Forces, and the Panama Canal Zone


The 1930 Census

  • Census date: April 1, 1930

  • Asked if the family had a radio

  • Census took place a few months after the 1929 stock market crash

  • Who should search through 1930 Census records: if you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, 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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, as well as American Samoa, Guam, the Panama Canal Zone, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Also “consular service” or diplomats.

  • 1930 Federal Census (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)

  • Publications of Reports from the 1930 Census - census.gov

  • United States Census, 1930 - on FamilySearch.org, (free with account)


The 1940 Census

  • Census date: April 1, 1940

  • Included questions about employment, unemployment, income, and residence in 1935.

  • Who should search through the 1940 Census records: if you know the names of any of your ancestors at any age, who lived in: 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, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, as well as American Samoa, Guam, the Panama Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands

  • 1940 Federal Census (Blank) from the National Archives (NARA)

  • Publications of Reports from the 1940 Census - census.gov

  • The 1940 census: https://1940census.archives.gov/index.asp

  • United States Census, 1940 - on FamilySearch.org, (free with account)



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