Census Records in Genealogy Research

Census Records Are a Genealogical Treasure

I’m excited you’re here! The United States Federal Census is one of my favorite resources to use for family history research. I don’t believe there is another resource that offers as much valuable information. In this blog post, I’ll share the importance of Federal Census records in genealogy research and explore how this valuable resource can help you piece together your family history, one decade at a time.

The U.S. Federal Census has been conducted every 10 years since 1790 and offers a wealth of information about your past generations. These census records, called population schedules, provide a snapshot of your ancestors’ lives. Every census year, these population schedules changed to reflect the time period and needs of the country, but they always include the head of households name. 

I hope you’ll find value as we navigate through decades of census data, explore how to use this resource, and uncover a clearer picture of the family that came before you.

The First Census in 1790

The first official U.S. Federal Census was conducted in 1790. It was the first federally sponsored count of the American people and the beginning of a significant historical record-keeping effort over the last 233 years. That is no small feat. While the idea of the Census was ratified in 1788, it fell to George Washington to to oversee it in his first elected term. In turn, his secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson directed the marshalls to collect the data from the 13 original colonies, plus the districts of Kentucky, Maine,  Vermont and the Southwest Territory (Tennessee). Since then, the census has been conducted regularly every ten years, creating an extensive collection of data. Each decade, census records captured a unique moment in time, documenting the individuals and families residing in the United States during that period.

The Main Purpose of the Census

At its core, the primary purpose of the census is to collect demographic data for the government to plan and allocate resources. Today, census records have become an invaluable tool for genealogists seeking to reconstruct family histories. As family researchers, it’s the carefully crafted questions census takers were asking that matters the most now. These questions include details such as names, ages, genders, relationships, occupations, birthplaces, ethnicities, and more. The data collected in the census allows researchers to piece together family connections, migration patterns, and social and economic contexts of past generations.

Over time, the U.S. Federal Census has evolved, reflecting the changing needs of the nation at the time. To handle the immense amount of data, it has embraced advancements in technology, transitioning from paper to digital records, giving researchers easier access to explore this vast repository of historical information. This data provides a window into the lives of ancestors before us and offers valuable insight to the communities they lived in. 

Navigating the Census: Decades and Data

The 1790-1840 Census

This was the beginning of census data collection. The earliest census records only called for very basic information such as the head of households first name and last name and the number of free white men, free white women and enslaved persons was collected. It’s not impossible to discern who may have been within the household, but it takes a lot of effort. 

The 1840 census inquired if there were Revolutionary War pensioners and their ages. Perhaps the federal government was curious how many persons they were still financially obligated to? A section was also added that asked if they were employed in mining, agriculture, commerce, manufactures and trades, navigating of canals lakes and rivers or learned professional engineers. This provides a peek into the infrastructure. America was growing! See how census records can provide context about the time and life of your relative at that specific time?

The 1850-1900 Census

The 1850 Census was a landmark census! For the first time the name of all household members was recorded as well as age, sex, color, place of birth, occupation, value of real estate owned, if they married within the year, if they were in school, if they could read and write, and whether they were deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict. 

The 1860-1900 census continued to build on that and incorporated more detailed information about citizenship, parental birth places, marital status and home ownership. The Civil War also impacted the data they were collecting. The nation needed to know where the men over 21 were, and if they retained their privilege to vote. 

Entering the Modern Era: The 1910-1940 Census

These may be some of the most familiar feeling records. The people we are finding in the 1910-1950 censuses are our people. We may have known them in our lifetime. Or at least heard about them from our parents and grandparents. I like to spend some time in these records and really get a feel for their lives. 

As America was growing rapidly, so was the population. The surge in industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancements created job opportunities and attracted people from the rural areas to move to the cities. Additionally, a wave of immigration from various parts of the world further contributed to the nation’s exponential growth during this period.

America had welcomed 15-20 million immigrants and the federal government needed to collect additional information so it could best allocate funds and represent its citizens in Congress. The 1910 Census collected data on the number of years married, number of children born, and children still living, offering valuable insights into family dynamics and fertility patterns. Invasive right? But the 1920 would really try and grasp the overall impact of the mass immigration.

The 1920 Census introduced the “mother tongue” question, shedding light on immigrant backgrounds and the languages spoken at home. This would be important for education I figure. And after a wave of immigration they collected data on if people were naturalized or aliens, and how long they had been in the United States. Additionally, it marked the beginning of regularly counting Native Americans on reservations on the regular population schedules and not the special Indian population schedules they had used prior. This would give a more comprehensive count of indigenous communities. Native Americans were not thriving in their forced assimilation and we would have hoped this would have given them the assistance they needed. 

The 1930 Census offered a glimpse of the Great Depression’s impact, with questions related to employment, home ownership, and income. This population schedule also asked about military service, possibly with regard to how the soldiers of World War I fared. My favorite question on this years census form is “do you own a radio”. By 1930 America was big and busy enough that this might have been a means to understand how to best communicate with the general populations. Like in 2030 I would imagine we will be asked if we own a computer and have internet. 

The 1940 Census was a difficult time and had a couple of significant events to consider. It was a snapshot of how the country emerged from the Great Depression. had they moved? Were they employed? What was their income? And it was also at the beginning of a second World War. 

The 1950 is census is where my parents first show up! I loved studying pages before them and pages after them. By this time in history, the U.S. government wanted to know if these persons had served in World War I, World War II or any other period of service. This census was just released in 2022. Remember, the census cannot be released for 72 years following the event. I am already eagerly awaiting the release of the 1960 census in 2032 and with any luck, I will still be here when the 1970 comes out in 2042 where I will make my grand debut!

​The Limits of the Census

The majority of the records were destroyed. As family historians and kinfolk finders, we are lucky that a fireproof vault in the basement had minimal damage. That vault housed the 1830, 1840, 1880, 1900 and 1910 census records. And as we get more skilled in our craft we quickly discover alternative records to fill the void the 1890 census loss created. So 1890 can be a void, or cause for a creative detour through other supporting records.

It’s also important to remember who the census takers were. While there is a wealth of information available, there is also just as many mistakes. Considering the time period we have to remember many people were not well educated, did not read or write and it wasn’t a glamorous job. In the early decades this was an extraordinarily difficult challenge. The terrain was hard to navigate. Average folks were afraid of the ‘government people’. Pay was lousy. But for the sake of our family history research, remember that people may not have known how to spell their names so a census taker wrote what they heard. Another factor that affects the accuracy of this data is that sometimes neighbors may have answered the questions and didn’t know the facts. Birth years are often off by a couple years because back then birthdays and the year they were born was not significant. I share this to say, if you find a family you believe is yours but it doesn’t match up perfectly, see them through and do your genealogy work. 

In closing,

I hope you get an idea of how valuable this census information can be for genealogical research. By taking time to locate your family members within their communities you will discover so much about their lives at the time. You can put them alongside neighbors, on their farms or in the homes they owned, or rented. You have a chance to learn about their education and consider why it looks different than what we expect. Censuses let us confirm information we have already found or find clues for things we need to continue researching. Doing census work is not one page worth of time and effort. Look 3 pages before and 3 pages after- who were their neighbors? Is there family close by? Are there people with the same surname you haven’t heard of before but now make you consider you found new family? 

Genealogy is more than just a hobby; it’s a quest to understand who you are and where you come from. As you stand here today, you might think you are just part of your immediate family. Maybe that family is wonderful. Maybe you’re not sure how you ended up with them. Genealogy is a perfect way to fully realize what big, broad family you have. As the Census records unfold for you, you may discover farmers, soldiers, widows, clergy, midwives, orphans, and more. Your big, broad family tree is full of accomplishments, survival, and pride.

I hope you’ll follow along to the next blog post where we will dive into actually finding and accessing these valuable records. Until then, Find. Keep. and Share their stories. ~ MK