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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.
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Census Records Resources from Family Tree
How to Browse Census Records on the “Big” Genealogy Websites
Can’t find someone in the census? Browsing schedules for the place he lived can help you pull his name off the pages. Here’s how to do this on the biggest genealogy websites:
Ancestry.com: Go to Search > Card Catalog and run a keyword search for the year and census. Or go to the main search page, look under Census & Voter Lists and select US Federal Census Collection. Click the desired census and select the place under Browse this collection.
FamilySearch.org: From the page, click Browse All Published Record Collections and type United States census in the Filter By Collection Name box. Select the desired census, then scroll down and click the Browse link.
HeritageQuest Online: (available through participating libraries) From the home page, click on the census you need. Select Browse this Collection and filter to the right locale.
Findmypast.com: From the home page, click A-Z of record sets. Under Showing Records From, select United States and enter US census in the search box. Click the desired census and one of the Browse options.
MyHeritage.com: From the US Census Collection home page, select the census year and run a search with your best guess in the Residence field. Use the arrows in the record viewer to page through the schedules.
Sunny Jane Morton, from the January/February 2016 issue of Family Tree Magazine
Researching Census Records
How to Find Ancestors Hiding in the Census
Can’t find your ancestor in the US census? You’re not alone. Our success strategies help you overcome common scenarios for missing ancestors.
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Secrets to Find Ancestors in Early US Censuses
Don’t stress out about finding ancestors in early, head-of-household-only censuses. These tricks will help you transform those tick marks into ancestral families.
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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.
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The Genealogist's Guide to US Census Records
Your complete guide to finding and using your ancestors’ US census records in your genealogy research.
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Genealogy Q&A: Census Records Research
The census provides great answers for genealogists, but also raises plenty of questions. Our genealogy experts weigh in on some of your toughest.
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Extra Ancestor Clues From US Census Records
Discover important family history clues hidden in the US census. We won’t let you miss—or misinterpret—your ancestors’ entries.
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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.
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8 Tips to Find Slave Ancestors by Working Backward in the Census
Here’s how to start researching your slave ancestors in census records by working backward.
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.
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1790 Census Records Research Guide
Researching 1790 census records? Learn everything you need to know to find your ancestors in the 1790 census.
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Free 1790 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1790 US Census.
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Genealogy Q&A: Finding Revolutionary War Ancestors Prior to 1790 Census
Expert answers on researching Colonial Americans before the first US census in 1790.
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1800 Census Records Research Guide
Researching 1800 census records? Learn everything you need to know to find your ancestors in the 1800 census.
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Free 1800–1810 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1800-10 US Census.
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1810 Census Records Research Guide
Researching 1810 census records? Learn everything you need to know to find your ancestors in the 1810 census.
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Free 1800-1810 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1800-10 US Census.
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1820 Census Records Research Guide
Researching 1820 census records? Learn everything you need to know to find your ancestors in the 1820 census.
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Free 1820 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1820 US Census.
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1830 Census Records Research Guide
Researching 1830 census records? Learn everything you need to know to find your ancestors in the 1830 census.
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Free 1830 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1830 US Census.
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Map with a “Birdseye View” of 1830s America
Let your 19th-century genealogy research take flight with this (weird) vintage map of the United States in the early 1830s.
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1840 Census Records Research Guide
Researching 1840 census records? Learn everything you need to know to find your ancestors in the 1800 census.
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Free 1840 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1840 US Census.
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Free 1850 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1850 US Census.
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Free 1860 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1860 US Census.
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Free 1870 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1870 US Census.
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Free 1880 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1880 US Census.
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Free 1880 DDD Supplemental Census Records by State Download
This state-by-state listing helps you find the 1880 supplemental schedules of “defective, dependent and delinquent classes” for your ancestor’s state.
LEARN MORE1890 Census Records
Official Enumeration Date: JUNE 1
(This was a Sunday, so the actual census-taking began June 2.)
1890 Census Records Research Guide
Researching 1890 census records? Learn everything you need to know to find your ancestors in the 1890 census.
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Free 1890 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1890 US Census.
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Filling Out the 1890 US Census Using Substitute Records
The 1890 census is lost—there’s nothing we can do about that. But we can “rebuild” census entries using details from substitute records. Here’s how.
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The 1890 Census Fire and Other Burned Genealogy Records
Record-destroying fires like the 1890 census fires have likely impacted your research. Raise your family tree from the ashes of these disasters with these tips.
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1900 Census Records Research Guide
Researching 1900 census records? Learn everything you need to know to find your ancestors in the 1900 census.
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Free 1900 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1900 US Census.
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Case Study: 6 Genealogy Discoveries from the 1900 Census
That old genealogical staple, census records, might seem ho-hum at first, but they’re full of clues that are important to your research.
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Case Study: Clues to Unknown Children in 1900 and 1910 Censuses
Learn how our former editor discovered clues to previously unknown infant deaths in her family, thanks to 1900 and 1910 census records.
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Free 1910 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1910 US Census.
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Free 1920 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1920 US Census.
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Free 1930 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1930 US Census.
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Free 1940 Census Worksheet Download
Get a free downloadable form to organize and record your family history discoveries from the 1940 US Census.
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How to Research the 1940 Census in 5 Steps
Find your ancestors in the online 1940 census using this step-by-step guide and case study.
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Case Study: Using the 1940 Census to Solve a Genealogy Mystery
See how one genealogy expert used the 1940 census and other research clues to learn the truth behind a family story.
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Tips for Researching the 1940 Census: Episode 47
In this episode, we’re celebrating the release of the 1940 census with tips, websites and resources you can use in your research.
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Your Guide to Finding and Using State Census Records
Don’t count on federal enumerations alone for tracking your clan—follow our guide to find the clues hiding in state census records.
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A Searchable Table of Available State Censuses
Genealogists love federal censuses, but state censuses can prove just as helpful. Use our searchable table to figure out what years these records were taken.
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The Genealogist’s Guide to Special US Census Records
US census records go beyond those familiar schedules listing your ancestors. Learn how to find and use a variety of special censuses.
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Online International Census Records to Bust Your Brick Walls
Governments all over the world have asked their citizens to stand up and be counted. Find out if your ancestors appear in an overseas census with these tips.
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Case Study: Using Censuses and Directories to Trace an Ancestor
See how I found my hard-to-search, common-named ancestor by browsing the census on researching in city directories on Ancestry.com.
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Case Study: Overcoming Identity Assumptions in Census Research
Based on initial assumptions during census research, one ancestor was almost given the wrong identity. Learn more from this case study.
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Case Study: Using the Census to Confirm a Correct Identity
Genealogist Shannon Combs-Bennett shares how she sorted through confusing census records to uncover her ancestor’s mother’s name.
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Census Records Research Resources
WEBSITES (US) | WEBSITES (CANADA/UK) | WEBSITES (CENSUS ALTERNATIVES) |
ONLINE RESOURCES (GENERAL) | ONLINE RESOURCES (STATE) |
BOOKS and PUBLICATIONS | PODCAST
When you’re looking for census records, note that the government didn’t give uniform instructions to census takers until 1850, so the content and format prior to that date may vary. And unfortunately, most of the 1890 census burned in a Commerce Department fire in 1921. To supplement the national enumerations, try looking at state censuses, which were taken between federal ones.
WEBSITES (US)
Agricultural Censuses, Statistics by Decade
Guide to Census Non-Population Schedules at Duke University
WEBSITES (Canadian and UK)
1901 Census for England and Wales: Search this census index for free (warning: it’s notorious for errors), then pay about to see transcribed details on a person and view a record image.
Ancestry.com UK and Ireland Collection: A subscription gets you linked images and indexes for the 1871, 1891 and 1901 censuses of England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Automated Genealogy: So far, this index to the 1901 Canadian census has 5.6 million lines transcribed. Search on a name, then use the geographic data to find a record image at the National Archives of Canada website, which you can search by location only.
British Origins: England and Wales Census 1841: For a yearly fee, you can search the earliest enumeration to list everyone living at a residence, rather than just the head of household.
The Genealogist: The Census Name-Indexing Project has transcribed 1841 to 1901 UK census information and made it available online. To view an index for a county during a particular census year, you need to purchase a subscription.
WEBSITES (Census Alternatives)
National Archives: Federal Nonpopulation Schedules, 1850-1880
National Archives: Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940
National Archives: Nonpopulation Census Records
Prologue Magazine: The Special Enumeration of Union Veterans and Widows
US Census Bureau: Nonpopulation Records
USDA Census of Agriculture: Census Publications
ONLINE RESOURCES (General)
1930 Census: NARA’s “comprehensive guide” gives search strategies and answers to frequently asked questions about the most recent census open to the public.
1940 Census Facts: The American Family Through Time
Census Finder: Pick a state from the pull-down menu for links to online record sources.
Census Links: Click the United States link, then select a state and county to surf related census material.
Census Online: You’ll find links to enumerations on both free and subscription websites.
FamilySearch Wiki: United States Census
One-Step Webpages by Stephen P. Morse: US Census Publications and Resources
ProQuest Guide to HeritageQuest Online: U.S. Federal Census
Resources for Genealogists: Census Records: Access NARA’s online guide to getting and using federal census records.
Searching the US Census by Name in One-Step: Ancestry.com subscribers get more flexible census searching here.
Unified Census ED Finder from One-Step: If you know your city-dwelling ancestor’s town and street, use this site to identify enumeration districts for the 1910 to 1930 censuses.
USGenWeb Census Project: USGenNet, a splinter group from the original USGenWeb, offers a search form and a chart of available transcriptions and scanned images.
ONLINE RESOURCES (State-specific)
Colorado State Archives: 1870 Census Index: Click on an alphabetical surname range and look for your ancestor in this browsable index.
Dakota Territory 1860 Census: Search this pre-statehood enumeration by surname.
Historic Pittsburgh Census Schedules: Search federal census data for Pittsburgh from 1850 to 1880, and Allegheny City from 1850 through 1870.
Idaho State Historical Society: 1890 Idaho Census: View a copy of the 1890 census index, recently reconstructed by volunteers, covering select Idaho counties.
Illinois Genealogy Trails: Census by County: This Prairie State website provides links to statewide census data, including listings by county.
Kansas Census: Federal and State, 1855 to 1930: The Kansas State Historical Society offers a smattering of online indexes to state and federal censuses. Click on the link for each census year to find out what’s available.
Library of Michigan 1870 Census Index: You can search this index by name, county or township.
Maryland State Archives Census Indexes: Search indexes of the 1776 and 1778 state censuses, the 1870 federal census for 22 counties plus Baltimore, and the 1880 federal census for Anne Arundel County.
Nevada Historical Census: : The Silver State is the first to put all its federal census data online — 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920.
New York State Census: This informative site provides microfilm numbers for New York state censuses. It also links to data for the 1720 Albany, 1714 Dutchess, 1702 Orange and 1689 Ulster county censuses.
Oregon State Archives: Census Records: Access indexes to state censuses for the years 1865, 1875, 1885 and 1895.
TNGenWeb Project: Part of the USGenWeb Project and run by volunteers, you can search by Tennessee’s 95 counties.
Special Maine 1837 Census: To view data from this enumeration, select a locality. Find links to special censuses for Wisconsin Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon, Florida and the Dakotas at the bottom of the page.
Washington Historical Records Search: Scour territorial census records from 1847 to 1892, plus the entire 1910 census of Washington.
BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS*
The 1890 Cherokee Nation Census Indian Territory (Oklahoma) by Barbara L. Benge (Heritage Books)
The American Census Handbook by Thomas Jay Kemp (SR Books)
The American Census: A Social History by Margo J. Anderson (Yale University Press)
The Census Book: A Genealogist’s Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes by William Dollarhide (Heritage Quest)
A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services, 1840 by the US Department of State (Genealogical Publishing Co., out of print)
The Census Tables for the French Colony of Louisiana From 1699 Through 1732 by Charles R. Maduell Jr. (Genealogical Publishing Co.)
A Century of Population Growth from the First Census of the United States to the Twelfth, 1790-1900 by the Bureau of the Census (Genealogical Publishing Co.)
The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogists edited by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack and Erin Nevius (Family Tree Books)
Finding Answers in US Census Records by Loretto Dennis Szucs and Matthew Wright (Ancestry)
First Steps in Genealogy by Desmond Walls Allen (Betterway Books)
The Genealogist’s Census Pocket Reference by Allison Dolan (Family Tree Books)
Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790, 12 volumes (Clearfield Co.)
Historical Statistics of the States of the United States compiled by Donald B. Dodd (Greenwood Publishing Group)
Indexes to Manufacturers’ Census of 1820: An Edited Printing of the Original Indexes and Information compiled by the National Archives (Bookmark)
Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 by William Thorndale and William Dollarhide (Genealogical Publishing Co.)
Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses From 1790 to 2000 (US Government Printing Office)
Population of States and Counties of the United States: 1790-1990, From the Twenty-One Decennial Censuses (US Government Printing Office)
The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy edited by Loretto Dennis Szucs and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking (Ancestry)
State Census Records by Ann S. Lainhart (Genealogical Publishing Co.)
Your Guide to the Federal Census by Kathleen Hinckley (Betterway Books)
FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE PODCAST
Searching Census Records: Episode 12
In this episode we get some tips from the experts on using census records to discover your ancestors.
LISTEN NOW* FamilyTreeMagazine.com is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for this site to earn advertising fees, by advertising and linking to Amazon and affiliated websites.
