Scope
U.S. federal censuses prior to 1850 only name the head of household, making these records particularly challenging to work with. Other free and enslaved household members are referenced by tick marks, in gender and age groupings.
The 1790 U.S. Census
The 1790 census was the first U.S. federal decennial census. It only recorded the name of each head of household, which could be a free white person or a free person of color. It counted but did not name: all other free white males in a household (by gender and age range), all free white females in a household, all other free persons of color in a household, and all enslaved people in a household. Census Day was August 2, 1790.
The Population Schedule Manuscripts
- FamilySearch: United States Census, 1790 (FREE)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
- Ancestry.com: 1790 United States Federal Census ($)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
Analyzing the 1790 Census
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1790 Decennial Census - Index of Questions & InstructionsThis includes an example of the census questionnaire, an itemized list of each question asked by the enumerator, and the instructions provided by Congress to the census enumerators, who at this time were U.S. marshals or their assistants.
The 1800 U.S. Census
The 1800 census only recorded the name of each head of household, which could be a free white person or a free person of color. It counted but did not name: all other free white people in a household (by gender and age range), all other free persons of color in a household, and all enslaved people in a household. Census Day was August 4, 1800.
The Population Schedule Manuscripts
- FamilySearch: United States Census, 1800 (FREE)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
- Ancestry.com: 1800 United States Federal Census ($)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
Analyzing the 1800 Census
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1800 Decennial Census - Index of Questions & InstructionsThis includes an example of the census questionnaire, an itemized list of each question asked by the enumerator, and the instructions provided by Congress to the census enumerators, who at this time were U.S. marshals or their assistants.
The 1810 U.S. Census
The 1810 U.S. census only recorded the name of each head of household, which could be free white person or a free person of color. It counted but did not name: all other free white people in a household (by gender and age range), all other free persons of color in a household, and all enslaved people in a household. Census Day was August 6, 1810.
The Population Schedule Manuscripts
- FamilySearch: United States Census, 1810 (FREE)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
- Ancestry.com: 1810 United States Federal Census ($)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
Analyzing the 1810 Census
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1810 Decennial Census - Index of Questions & InstructionsThis includes an example of the census questionnaire, an itemized list of each question asked by the enumerator, and the instructions provided by Congress to the census enumerators, who at this time were U.S. marshals or their assistants.
The 1820 U.S. Census
The 1820 census only recorded the name of each head of household, which could be a free white person or a free person of color. It counted but did not name: all other free white people in a household (by gender and age range), all other free persons of color in a household (by gender and age range), and all enslaved people in a household (by gender and age range). Census Day was August 7, 1820.
The Population Schedule Manuscripts
- FamilySearch: United States Census, 1820 (FREE)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
- Ancestry.com: 1820 United States Federal Census ($)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
Analyzing the 1820 Census
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1820 Decennial Census - Index of Questions & InstructionsThis includes an example of the census questionnaire, an itemized list of each question asked by the enumerator, and the instructions provided by Congress to the census enumerators, who at this time were U.S. marshals or their assistants.
The 1830 U.S. Census
The 1830 census only recorded the name of each head of household, which could be a free white person or a free person of color. It counted but did not name: all other whites in a household (by gender and age range), all other free persons of color in a household (by gender and age range), and all enslaved individuals in a household (by gender and age range). Census Day was June 1, 1830.
The Population Schedule Manuscripts
- FamilySearch: United States Census, 1830 (FREE)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
- Ancestry.com: 1830 United States Federal Census ($)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
Analyzing the 1830 Census
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1830 Decennial Census - Index of Questions & InstructionsThis includes an example of the census questionnaire, an itemized list of each question asked by the enumerator, and the instructions provided by Congress to the census enumerators, who at this time were U.S. marshals or their assistants.
- FamilySearch: Descriptions of census subdivisions, 1830 (FREE)This collection digitized from NARA microfilm provides descriptions (not maps) identifying the geographic jurisdictions and boundaries covered by each census taker within one census period.
The 1840 U.S. Census
This was the last federal census to only record the name of each head of household, which could be a free white person or a free person of color. It counted but did not name: all other free white people in a household (by gender and age range), all other free persons of color in a household (by gender and age range), and all enslaved people in a household (by gender and age range). Census Day was June 1, 1840.
The Population Schedule Manuscripts
- FamilySearch: United States Census, 1840 (FREE)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
- Ancestry.com: 1840 United States Federal Census ($)Digitized images that are indexed, searchable, and browsable.
Analyzing the 1840 Census
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1840 Decennial Census - Index of Questions & InstructionsThis includes an example of the census questionnaire, an itemized list of each question asked by the enumerator, and the instructions provided by Congress to the census enumerators, who at this time were U.S. marshals or their assistants.
- FamilySearch: Descriptions of census subdivisions, 1840 (FREE)This collection digitized from NARA microfilm provides descriptions (not maps) identifying the geographic jurisdictions and boundaries covered by each census taker within one census period.
U.S. Census Toolbox
Free Forms
To extract and organize your manuscript data.
- FamilySearch: United States Census Forms (FREE)Blank forms with column headings for each question asked on each decennial population schedule.
- Ancestry.com: US Census Forms (Free)Blank forms with column headings for each question asked on each population schedule, the 1890 veterans schedule, and the 1850 & 1860 slave schedules.
Reference Tools
To find and analyze the historical censuses.
General
- U.S Census Buareau: U.S. Census Bureau History: 1890 Census Fire, January 10, 1921This article explains what fragments remain for which states, and the historical and genealogical impact of this census loss.
- U.S. National Archives: Nonpopulation Census RecordsExplains the coverage scope (year and state) for each non-population schedule, the type of information found in those, and where to find the records.
People of Color
- U.S. National Archives: American Indians in the Federal Decennial Census, 1790-1930This guide explains in which federal censuses Native Americans were enumerated, and if that included those living on reservations or just those living in the general population.
- U.S. Census Bureau: Censuses of American IndiansThis guide explains the various types of federal censuses that have included Native Americans.
- U.S. Census Bureau: Measuring Race and Ethnicity Across the Decades: 1790–2010This color coded infographic by the U.S. Census Bureau provides a visualization of how different races and ethnicities have been reported on the U.S. population census between 1790 and 2010.
- Pew Research Center: What Census Calls UsThis color coded infographic by the Pew Research Center provides a visualization of how different races and ethnicities have been reported on the U.S. population census between 1790 and 2020.