2. HISTORY
The Census has been taken every ten years since 1790 til
2010
Not released for general public use for 72 years after being
taken
For privacy reasons
1930 most recent
1940 comes out this year April 12th!!!
Why?
Accurate population count because the number of U.S.
Representatives each state has is based on its population and this
ensured we all are represented in the political process.
In 1820, they added the ages between 16-18 for the males. They
were counting the number of men eligible for a standing army.
Used to help estimate the amount of taxes to be collected.
Census takers, a.k.a. enumerators, were hired to go
through the neighborhoods to take down information.
Not always educated
spelling mistakes, copying errors
Skipped houses
3. PROBLEMS
Missed families
not at home
multi-family dwelling
bad weather
did not answer for “government” man
Some enumerators just didn’t go to the home – too far to get to,
end of the day, etc…asked neighbor or just didn’t count that
family
Census Day - no matter what day the census taker came to
the house he was to record data as if it were the day set aside
by law for the census to begin. However, some Census takers
did not follow this so it makes it difficult to know exact age.
Incorrect information given. Who was giving info?
Some schedules have been lost or destroyed. Poor
filming.
4. ORGANIZE YOUR RESEARCH
Choose family
Work from present to past
Write down names, ages in the different
census years, marriage, birth, death
You must know where they live in the census
years – state & county
Map Guide to the United States Federal Census 1790-1920,
Thorndale, William and William Dollarhide (available in our
reference department)
Create at least 5 alternate spellings for each
surname
5. INDEXES & IMAGES
Indexes are not a record, only search aid
Some are published – libraries or archives
Ancestry or Heritage Quest online indexes
Find and use actual census image
Online – Ancestry Library & Heritage Quest
Some repositories have them on microfilm
We have Medina County Census from 1820-1930, WRHS has all census
from 1790-1930 – less the 1890
Make a copy of the record
If you unable to make a copy use preprinted forms (handout)
Forms: http://www.ancestry.com/trees/charts/census.aspx
Helps to write down all the information and the headings are easier to read.
Cite your source on the copy or form
- Evidence! Citation and Analysis for Family Historians – Elizabeth Shown Mills
- Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace -
Elizabeth Shown Mills.
Copy the information exactly as it is in the census.
10. 1890 Census
Majority of this census
suffered severe water
damage due to a fire in 1921
in the Commerce Department
Content similar to 1900 –
different format
One difference is the line for
civil war veterans, Union or
Confederate & widows of
veterans.
Some schedules survived
Ancestry Library has 1890
census substitutes to search