| Using Census Records for Genealogical Research | |
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Census records and population schedules -- federal,
state, and local -- can provide the family historian with some rich veins of
genealogical data. The careful
researcher will continually seek enumerations which place individuals in a
context for a particular time period.
1790 - 1840 Federal Population Census
While the head of the household is the only individual
identified by name in these federal census years, their value, nonetheless,
should not be underestimated.
1790: head of household name, # of free white males 16 years & older, free white males under 16, free white females, all other free persons, number of slave.
1800 & 1810: head of household name, five different age categories for free white males and females, all other free persons except Indians not taxed, number of slaves.
1820: head of household name, five different age categories for free white males and females, number of free white males between 16 and 18 years, foreigners not naturalized, male and female slaves and free colored persons in four different age categories, all other free persons except Indians not taxed, number of person (including slaves) engaged in agriculture, commerce and manufacturing.
1830: head of household name, number of free white males and females in 5 year age groups to age 20--in 10 year age groups from 20 to 100--and 100 years and older, number of slaves and free colored persons in six age groups, number of deaf and dumb in three age groups, number of blind, number of foreigners not naturalized.
1840: head of household
name, number of free white males and females in 5 year age groups to age 20--in
10 year age groups from 20 to 100--and 100 years and older, number of slaves and
free colored persons in six age groups, number of deaf and dumb, number of
blind, number of insane and idiotic in public or private charge, number of
persons in each family employed in each of seven classes of occupations, number
of scholars, number of white persons over 20 who could not read & write,
number of pensioners for Revolutionary or military service.
1850 -
1870 Federal Population Census
The 1850 federal census is a keystone document for many
researchers as it is the first census to list everyone by name as well as
provide for a place of birth. All
1850 federal censuses are also indexed. The
majority of 1860 and 1870 censuses are indexed with the remainder of the
indexing anticipated in the next couple of years.
1850: for all individuals: name, age, sex, color; whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic; all free persons required to give value of real estate owned; profession, occupation, or trade for each male over 15; place of birth; whether married within the year; whether married within the year; whether attended school within the year; whether unable to read and write for persons under 20; whether a pauper or convict.
1860: for all individuals: name, age, sex, color; whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic; all free persons required to give value of real estate and personal estate owned; profession, occupation, or trade for each male and female over 15; place of birth; whether married within the year; whether married within the year; whether attended school within the year; whether unable to read and write for persons under 20; whether a pauper or convict.
1870: for
all individuals: name, age, sex, color; citizenship for males over 21,
profession, occupation, or trade; value of real and personal estate; place of
birth; whether father and mother were foreign born; born within the year;
married within the year; for persons 10 or older whether able to read and write;
whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic.
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