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Genealogy: Finding Your Ancestors Online

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About the US Census

The United States has collected data about its population since 1790 and continues to collect data every 10 years.

  • Until 1850, the Census Population Schedules listed the name of the head of household, but other household members were only tallied by age, sex, race and whether or not they were enslaved.
  • The 1850 Census was the first to list the names of all members of a household.
  • The 1860 added information about the relationship of household members to the head.

Currently, Census Population Schedules for 1790 through 1950 are available to the public. The National Archives provides digital access to fully scanned copies of the Census Population Schedules, but in most cases does not have indexes for the names of individuals. Several other free and fee-based sites also provide access to the US Census.

Limitations of the US Census

Between 1790 to 1870, the duty of collecting census data fell upon the U.S. Marshals; from the 1880 census forward specially hired census-takers conduct the census. During the early censuses, U.S. Marshalls received little training or instruction on how to collect census data. In fact, it was not until 1830 that marshals even received printed schedules on which to record households' responses. So while the decennial census is an official record of the United States government, it has limitations that should be taken into consideration when using and analyzing the information it provides. Limitations include:

  1. While census takers (officially called enumerators) are provided with training and guidance, the information they record passes through the lens of their own knowledge and biases.
  2. Particularly on matters of racial and ethnic identities, the official instructions to the enumerators reflect the particular prejudices of the time. For example, for the 1880 census, enumerators were instructed to "record all persons having any perceptible trace of African blood" as "mulatto". In 1890 "mulatto" was no longer an option - enumerators were instructed to use black for anyone who was "negro or of negro descent."
  3. Respondents may have unintentionally or deliberately provided incorrect information.