The U.S. Federal Census Records contain many clues to help genealogy researchers find information about their ancestors. This webpage shows the basic information given for each census by year with links to online census records and indexes. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page. 1950 Census Official census day: 1 April 1950 Total Population: 151,325,798 The 1950 Census was released to the public on 1 April 2022 Questions Asked in the 1950 Census 1950 United States Federal Census at Ancestry free with registration 1950 Census Records Online at the U.S. National Archives Website index not yet complete 1940 Census Official census day: 1 April 1940 Total Population: 132,164,569 The 1940 Census was released to the public on 2 April 2012 Summary of the Information Given in the 1940 Census and Where to Find the Records Online 1930 Census Official census day: 1 April 1930 (the official start day was 1 April, but the Census Bureau began taking the census on 2 April, except for Alaska, which began on 1 Oct 1929) Total Population: 123,202,624 The 1930 Census was released to the public on 1 April 2002 Online 1930 Census Index and Images (requires payment) The 1930 Census is indexed online for every state and territory at Ancestry.com. Includes more than 123 million names linked to digitized census images. Only ten states and portions of two others have been indexed on microfilm (by head of household using the soundex system). But all states have been indexed online (see the above link). The ten states indexed on microfilm are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee & Virginia. The Kentucky and West Virginia counties that have been indexed on microfilm are... Kentucky Counties: Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Kenton, Muhlenberg, Perry & Pike; West Virginia Counties: Fayette, Harrison, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mercer & Raleigh. For each person listed in the 1930 Census, the entry shows:
1920 Census 1 January 1920 (date census taking began) Total Population: 106,021,537 Online Index: 1920 Every Name Census Index and Images at Ancestry.com (requires payment) Linked to Digitized Census Images Also includes 1790-1940 Census Indexes & Images All states (and territories) have also been indexed on microfilm by head of household using the soundex system Each household is entered on a sheet showing the name of the township, name of the incorporated place, if any, and city ward, if any. For households in urban areas, the street and number are given. For each person listed the entry shows:
1910 Census 15 April 1910 Total Population: 92,228,496 Online Index: 1910 Every Name Census Index & Images at Ancestry.com (requires payment) Linked to Digitized Census Images Also includes 1790-1940 Census Indexes & Images Online Index: State of Washington 1910 Census Index (free to search) Only 21 states have been indexed on microfilm (by head of household using the soundex system) these are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia Each household is entered on a sheet showing the name of the township and city ward, if any. For households in urban areas, the street and number are given. For each person listed the entry shows:
1900 Census 1 June 1900 Total Population: 76,212,168 Online Index: 1900 Every Name Census Index & Images at Ancestry.com (requires payment) now completed for all states & territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indian Territory, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Military & Naval Forces, 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 (also includes 1790-1940 Census Indexes & Images) All states have also been indexed on microfilm by head of household using the soundex system For each household, an entry shows the name of the township, city and ward, if any, and the street and house number, if in an urban area. For each person listed the entry shows:
1890 Census 1 June 1890 Total Population: 62,979,766 The 1890 census was destroyed or badly damaged in a fire in Washington in 1921. Less than 1 per cent survived - 6,160 total names, which are available on 3 rolls of microfilm. This 1890 census link will take you to a listing of what records survived the fire. In 1890 a special census of Civil War Union veterans and widows of veterans was taken. This can be searched online at Ancestry... 1890 Civil War Union Veterans and Widows Census Index and Images (requires payment) 1890 Census Substitute (requires payment) Ancestry has assorted records to help find ancestors around the time of the 1890 census. It includes fragments of the original 1890 census that survived the fire, special veterans schedules, several Native American tribe censuses for years surrounding 1890, state censuses (1885 or 1895), city and county directories, alumni directories, and voter registration documents. 1880 Census 1 June 1880 Total Population: 50,189,209 Online Index: 1880 Census Records Index & Images at Ancestry.com (the 1880 census index is free with registration - viewing images requires payment) an Ancestry subscription also includes 1790-1940 census indexes & images All states have also been indexed on microfilm using the soundex system; however only those households with children aged 10 or under are listed in the microfilmed index. For each urban household, an entry shows the name of the street and house number. For each person in a household the entry shows:
1870 Census 1 June 1870 Total Population: 38,558,371 Online Index: 1870 Every Name Census Index & Images at Ancestry.com (requires payment) also includes 1790-1940 census indexes & images Online Index: Colorado 1870 Census Index (free) Online Index: Maryland State Archives Census Indexes - includes 1870 (free)
1860 Census 1 June 1860 Total Population: 31,443,321 Online Index: 1860 Every Name Census Index & Images at Ancestry.com (requires payment) also includes 1790-1940 Census Indexes & Images
1850 Census 1 June 1850 Total Population: 23,191,876 Online Index: Online 1850 Census Index & Images at Ancestry.com Every Name Index (requires payment) A subscription also includes 1790-1940 Census Indexes & Images
1790-1840 Census - Notes The US census records from 1790 to 1840 only name the head of each family. Other household members are grouped together by age and gender, but their names are not given. When researching in this time frame it is essential to locate other records, particularly probate records (which often name the spouse and children), church records, land & property records, etc. These early census records are still useful for locating families in a specific place. Online Index: US Federal Census Index & Images 1790-1840 at Ancestry.com (requires payment) also includes indexes & images for 1850-1930 1840 Census 1 June 1840 Total Population: 17,069,453
1830 Census 1 June 1830 Total Population: 12,866,020
1820 Census 7 August 1820 Total Population: 9,638,453
1810 Census 6 August 1810 Total Population: 7,239,881
1800 Census 4 August 1800 Total Population: 5,308,483
1790 Census 2 August 1790 Total Population: 3,929,214 Note: 1790 census records exist for Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia (Virginia schedules were reconstructed from State enumerations)
References
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