Deep-dive into US census records and other population counts. From helpful research resources to clues about solving ancestor mysteries, our experts provide solutions to your toughest census conundrums.
FAMILY TREE UNIVERSITY
Using US Census Records Self-Study
Learn how to use census records to track your ancestry and build up your family tree in this self-paced, learn on your own (no instructor) online family history course.
$49.99
LEARN MORE
Researching in US Census Records
US Census Information Year-by-Year for Genealogists
Your forebears answered a surprising number of questions every 10 years. And buried in those census columns may be the key to an ancestral mystery.
READ MOREOfficial US Census Dates
The date a census taker wrote on his form isn’t as important as the official census date: Enumerators were supposed to list individuals’ ages as of a date specified by the Census Bureau. January 1 was “Census Day” for the 1920 enumeration, so someone born Feb. 12, 1909, should be recorded as 10 on the census form—even if the census taker visited in April. This magic date varied, so use this chart to sort out ancestors’ reported ages. Click on the year to discover more about that specific census (if available).
August 2
August 4
August 6
August 7
June 1
June 1
June 1
June 1
26 Tips for Searching Census Records on Genealogy Websites
Learn how to find census records online at the major databases, including Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.
READ MORESpecial + Alternate Census Records
Researching State Census Records
Census Research Case Studies
Early Census Records
Using the Soundex System for Census Record Research
What’s the Soundex? The 1880, 1900 and 1920 US censuses—plus parts of the 1910 and 1930 censuses—all use this system based on sounds in surnames.
READ MORE
