1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Genealogy

What Do All of the Census Abbreviations Mean?

By Kimberly Powell, About.com

Question: What Do All of the Census Abbreviations Mean?
Answer: No matter where in the world they are taken, census schedules usually offer very little room. Therefore, census takers often found it necessary to use abbreviations to get all of the required information onto the census form. These abbreviations - ranging from Na for naturalized to AdD for adopted daughter -- can provide important information that you should not overlook!

Citizenship Status Codes:

  • Al - Alien (not naturalized)
  • Pa - First papers filed (declaration of intent)
  • Na - Naturalized
  • NR - Not recorded or not reported

Household & Soundex Abbreviations:

  • Ad - Adopted Ad
  • AdCl - Adopted Child
  • AdD - Adopted Daughter
  • AdGcl - Adopted Grandchild
  • AdM - Adopted Mother
  • AdS - Adopted Son
  • Ap - Apprentice
  • At - Attendant
  • Asst - Assistant
  • A - Aunt
  • Al - Aunt-In-Law
  • Bar - Bartender
  • Bo - Boarder
  • B Boy - Bound Boy
  • B Girl - Bound Girl
  • B - Brother
  • Bl - Brother-In-Law
  • Bu - Butler
  • Cap - Captain
  • Cha - Chambermaid
  • Cl - Child
  • Coa - Coachman
  • Com - Companion
  • C - Cousin
  • Cil - Cousin-In-Law
  • D - Daughter
  • Dl - Daughter-In-Law
  • Dla - Day Laborer
  • Dw - Dish Washer
  • Dom - Domestic
  • Emp - Employee
  • En - Engineer
  • FaH - Farm Hand
  • FaL - Farm Laborer
  • FaW - Farm Worker
  • F - Father
  • Fl - Father-In-Law
  • Fi - Fireman
  • First C - First Cousin
  • FoB - Foster Brother
  • FB - Foster Brother
  • FoSi - Foster Sister
  • FS - Foster Sister
  • FoS - Foster Son
  • God Child God
  • Go - Governess
  • Gcl - Grandchild
  • Gd - Granddaughter
  • Gf - Grandfather
  • GM - Grandmother
  • Gml - Grandmother-In-Law
  • Gs - Grand Son
  • Gsl - Grand Son-In-Law
  • GGF - Great Grandfather
  • GGM - Great Grandmother
  • GGGF - Great Great Grandfather
  • GGGM - Great Great Grandmother
  • Gni - Great- or Grandniece
  • Gn - Great- or Grandnephew
  • Gua - Guardian
  • HSi - Half Sister
  • HSil - Half Sister-In-Law
  • Hb - Half Brother
  • Hbl - Half Brother-In-Law
  • Help - Helper
  • He - Herder
  • HGi - Hired Girl
  • HH - Hired Hand
  • Hlg - Hireling
  • Hk - Housekeeper
  • HMaid - Housemaid
  • Hw - House Worker
  • La- Laborer
  • Lau - Laundry
  • L - Lodger
  • Man - Manager
  • Mat - Matron
  • M - Mother
  • Ml - Mother-In-Law
  • N - Nephew
  • Nl - Nephew-In-Law
  • Ni - Niece
  • Nil - Niece-In-Law
  • Ni - Nurse
  • O - Officer
  • Pa - Partner
  • P - Patient
  • Ph - Physician
  • Por - Porter
  • Pri - Principal
  • Pr - Prisoner
  • Prv - Private
  • Pu - Pupil
  • R - Roomer
  • Sa - Sailor
  • Sal - Saleslady
  • Se - Servant
  • SeCl - Servant's Child
  • Si - Sister
  • S - Son
  • Sl - Son-In-Law
  • Sb - Step Brother
  • Sbl - Step Brother-In-Law
  • Scl - Step Child
  • Sd - Step Daughter
  • Sdl - Step Daughter-In-Law
  • Sf - Step Father
  • Sfl - Step Father-In-Law
  • Sgd - Step Granddaughter
  • Sgs - Step Grandson
  • Sm - Step Mother
  • Sml - Step Mother-In-Law
  • Ssi - Step Sister
  • Ssil - Step Sister-In-Law
  • Ss - Step Son
  • Ssl - Step Son-In-Law
  • Su - Superintendent
  • Ten - Tenant
  • U - Uncle
  • Ul - Uncle-In-Law
  • Vi - Visitor
  • Wt - Waiter
  • Wai - Waitress
  • Wa - Warden
  • W - Wife
  • Wkm - Workman
Explore Genealogy
About.com Special Features

Stay connected and entertained with reviews on tips on the latest HDTVs, cellphones and more. More >

Reclaim the morning and your sanity with these easy recipes, tips, and timesaving ideas. More >

  1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Genealogy
  4. Software & Tools
  5. Dictionaries & Glossaries
  6. What Do All of the Census Abbreviations Mean?>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.