Census
The U.S. has taken a census of its population every ten years since 1790. The most recent census available to us at present is the 1950 census, due to a 72-year privacy restriction. While the questions in U.S. census records varied from year to year and in state censuses, from state to state, you can find information like names of other household members, ages, birthplaces, residence, occupation, immigration and citizenship details, marriage information, military service and more. The 1890 census was largely destroyed in a fire, but there are compiled “substitutes” with various other records to help bridge the gap.
- Ancestry.com
In addition to the Population schedules, the U.S. Federal Census also includes additional census schedules:
Veteran's Schedule of 1890 (Civil War veterans and their widows)
Mortality Schedule, 1850-1880 (individuals who died in the previous year)
Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940
Selected Non-Population Census Schedules, 1850-1880 (Agriculture, Industry, Social Statistics)
Slave Schedules
Merchant Seamen, 1930 (merchant seamen serving US flag merchant vessels)
U.S. State and County Census
Census documents provide a wealth of statistical information regarding the population of the United States. However, they also provide a unique window into the evolving attitudes, sensibilities and priorities of the country at large. Be it slavery, child mortality, marital status, war or unemployment, all are reflected in the U.S. Federal Census.
In order to protect the privacy of citizens of the United States, census documents not released for seventy-two years from the date of the last census. The 1950 U.S. Federal Census will be available in 2022.
Township or community
County
State
Enumerator
Enumeration date
Enumeration district number
Free white males 16 years of age and upwards, including heads of families
Free white males under 16 years of age
Free white females, including heads of families
All other free persons
Slaves
Township or community
County
State
Enumerator
Enumeration date
Enumeration district number
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Name of head of family
Free white male under 10 years of age
Free white males 10-16 years of age
Free white males 16-26 years of age
Free white males 45 and over
Free white females under 10 years of age
Free white females 10-16 years of age
Free white females 16-26 years of age
Free white females 26-45 years of age
Free white females 45 and over
All other free persons except Indians not taxed
Slaves
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Name of head of family
Free white male under 10 years of age
Free white males 10-16 years of age
Free white males 16-26 years of age
Free white males 45 and over
Free white females under 10 years of age
Free white females 10-16 years of age
Free white females 16-26 years of age
Free white females 26-45 years of age
Free white females 45 and over
All other free persons except Indians not taxed
Slaves
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Name of head of family
Free white males under 10 years of age
Free white males 10-16 years of age
Free white males 16-26 years of age
Free white males 45 and over
Free white females under 10 years of age
Free white females 10-16 years of age
Free white females 16-26 years of age
Free white females 26-45 years of age
Free white females 45 and over
Foreigners, not naturalized
Agriculture
Commerce
Manufacturing
Free colored males
Free colored females
All other free persons
Slaves
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Name of head of family
Free white males under 5 years of age
Free white males 5-10 years of age
Free white males 10-15 years of age
Free white males 15-20 years of age
Free white males 20-30 years of age
Free white males 30-40 years of age
Free white males 40-50 years of age
Free white males 50-60 years of age
Free white males 60-70 years of age
Free white males 70-80 years of age
Free white males 80-90 years of age
Free white males 90-100 years of age
Free white females under 5 years of age
Free white females under 5-10 years of age
Free white females 10-15 years of age
Free white females 15-20 years of age
Free white females 20-30 years of age
Free white females 30-40 years of age
Free white females 40-50 years of age
Free white females 50-60 years of age
Free white females 60-70 years of age
Free white females 70-80 years of age
Free white females 80-90 years of age
Free white females 90-100 years of age
Foreigners, not naturalized
Slaves
Free colored people
Deaf and Dumb
Blind
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Name of head of family
Free white males under 5 years of age
Free white males 5-10 years of age
Free white males 10-15 years of age
Free white males 15-20 years of age
Free white males 20-30 years of age
Free white males 30-40 years of age
Free white males 40-50 years of age
Free white males 50-60 years of age
Free white males 60-70 years of age
Free white males 70-80 years of age
Free white males 80-90 years of age
Free white males 90-100 years of age
Free white females under 5 years of age
Free white females under 5-10 years of age
Free white females 10-15 years of age
Free white females 15-20 years of age
Free white females 20-30 years of age
Free white females 30-40 years of age
Free white females 40-50 years of age
Free white females 50-60 years of age
Free white females 60-70 years of age
Free white females 70-80 years of age
Free white females 80-90 years of age
Free white females 90-100 years of age
Foreigners, not naturalized
Slaves
Free colored people
Deaf and Dumb
Blind
Foreigners, not naturalized
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Dwelling number
Family number
Name of every person whose usual place of
abode 1 June 1850 was with this family
Age
Sex
Color
Profession, occupation, or trade of each male
over 15
Value of real estate owned
Place of birth, naming state, territory or country
Married within the year
In school within the year
Persons over 20 unable to read or write
Deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiot, pauper,
or convict
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Dwelling number
Family number
Name of every person whose usual place of
abode 1 June 1860 was with this family
Age
Sex
Color
Profession, occupation, or trade of each male
over 15
Value of real estate owned
Place of birth, naming state, territory or country
Married within the year
In school within the year
Persons over 20 unable to read or write
Deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiot, pauper,
or convict
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Dwelling number
Family number
Name of every person whose usual place
of abode 1 June 1870 was with this family
Age
Sex
Color
Profession, occupation, or trade of each male
over 15
Value of real estate owned
Place of birth
Father foreign born
Mother foreign born
Month married in year
In school within year
Cannot read
Cannot write
Deaf, blind, insane
Males able to vote
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Dwelling number
Family number
Name of every person whose usual place
of abode 1 June 1870 was with this family
Color
Sex
Age
Month born if during the census year
Relationship to head of the household
Single
Married
Widowed / divorced
Married during the year
Profession, trade, or occupation
Number of months employed
Currently sick or disabled
Blind, deaf and dumb, idiotic, insane or disabled
Attended school this year
Cannot read
Cannot write
Birthplace
Birthplace of father
Birthplace of mother
Unavailable. Largely destroyed due to water damage from fire.
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Written page number
Printed page number
Dwelling number
Family number
Name of every person whose usual place of
abode 1 June 1900 was with this family
Relationship to head of family
Color
Sex
Month of birth
Year of birth
Age
Marital status
Number of years married
Mother of how many children
Number of children living
Place of birth
Father's place of birth
Mother's place of birth
Year of immigration
Number of years in the United States
Naturalized citizen
Occupation of every person 10 and older
Number of months unemployed
Number of months in school
Can't read
Can't write
Can speak English
Owned or rented
Own free and clear or mortgaged
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Sheet number
Line number
House number
Dwelling number
Number of family
Name of every person living in this
family on 15 April 1910
Relationship to head of household
Color or race
Age at last birthday
Single, married, widowed, or divorced
Years of present marriage
Number of children born to this mother
Place of birth
Father's place of birth
Mother's place of birth
Year immigrated to the United States
Naturalized or alien
Able to speak English or language spoken
Trade or profession
Generalized nature of industry, business
or establishment
Employer, employee or self
Out of work on 15 April 1910
•Weeks out of work in 1909
Can speak English
Able to read
Able to write
Attended school since 1 September
Owned or rented
Owned free, or mortgaged
Farm or house
Own free and clear or mortgaged
Number of farm schedule
Survivor Union or Confederate Army/Navy
Blind in both eyes
Deaf and dumb
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Sheet number
Line number
Street Address
House number or farm number
Number of dwelling house
Number of family
Name of every person living in this family on 1 January 1920
Relationship to head of household
Home owned or rented
If owned, free or mortgaged
Sex
Color or race
Age at last birthday
Single, married, widowed, or divorced
Year of immigration to the United States
Naturalized or alien
If naturalized, which year
Attended school since 1 September
Able to read
Able to write
Place of birth
Mother tongue
Place of birth of father
Mother tongue of father
Place of birth of mother
Mother tongue of mother
Able to speak English
Trade or profession
Type of business
Employer, employee, or works for self
Number of farm schedule
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Sheet number
Line number
Street, avenue, road, etc.
House number
Dwelling number
Number of family
Name of every person living in this
family on 1 April 1930
Relationship to head of household
Home owned or rented
Value of home, or monthly rent
Radio set (leave blank if no radio)
Does this family live on a farm?
Sex
Color or race
Age at last birthday
Marital condition
Age at first marriage
Attended school since 1 September
Whether able to read and write
Place of birth
Place of birth of father
Place of birth of mother
Language spoken before arrival in the
United States
Year of immigration to the United States
Naturalization status
Whether able to speak English
Occupation, trade or profession
Industry or business
Class of worker
Whether worked last working day
Unemployment schedule line number
Veteran of military or Navy
Served in what war/expedition
Number of farm schedule
Township or community
County
State
Name of institution
Name of incorporated place
Enumeration date
Enumerator
Ward of city
Supervisor's district
Enumerator's district
Sheet number
Line number
Street, avenue, road, etc.
House number
Number of household
Home owned or rented
Value of home, or monthly rent
Farm (yes or no)
Name of every person living in this
family on 1 April 1940
Relationship to head of household
Sex
Color or race
Age at last birthday
Marital status
Attended school since 1 March 1940
Highest grade of school completed
Place of birth *
Citizenship if foreign born
City or town or residence on 1 April 1935
Country of residence on 1 April 1935
State or country of residence on 1 April 1935
Farm (yes or no)
Working in non-government job the week of
24 March 1940
If not, working in government job the week of
24 March 1940
If unemployed, seeking work?
If unemployed and not seeking work, did he
have a job / business?
Engaged in housework, schoolwork, unable
to work, or other?
Number of hours worked during week of
24 March 1940
Duration of unemployment of 30 March 1940
in weeks
Occupation, trade, or particular
Kind of work
Industry or business *
Class of worker
Number of weeks worked in 1939
Wages or salary received
Earned non-wage or salary income over $50
Supplementary questions asked only of people on lines with asterisks:
Place of birth of father
Place of birth of mother
Language spoken in home in earliest childhood
Veteran?
If child, is veteran-father dead?
War or military service
Social Security number issued
Deductions for Federal Old Age Insurance
or Railroad Retirement made?
Deductions made from less than half, half, or
more than half of wages?
Usual occupation
Usual industry
Usual class of worker
For women - married more than once?
Age at first marriage
Number of children ever born (excluding stillbirths)
