Census Records & City Directories

The U.S. government began keeping census records on citizens in 1790, and these records can be a powerful tool for genealogists. A census record is an enumeration of the citizens in a given geographic location. Such records include the name of the head of household, as well as the names of other household members.

The census record is one of the best tools in a genealogist’s research kit. The document can offer a rich treasure trove of information about family members from the past. Though there are some inconsistencies in census documents, they do offer a great starting point.

There are several great online resources to help guide you in your research of census records. Two of these are: Fact Finder for the Nation and the National Archives.

Census Records Unveil Family Histories and Social Backgrounds

Census records document information about the life of people living in particular regions at specific points in times. Therefore, they are extremely helpful for researchers who want to piece together a family history.

These records can divulge interesting information about the social and economic conditions in which your ancestors lived. Even more intriguing is the different sociological phenomena that can be traced through the questions the censuses asked. For example, in 1790, the census asked about the number of slaves in a household but by 1870 all questions about slaves was obviously gone and other questions were asked, such as ownership status of the family home (whether it was owned or rented). Subsequently, by reviewing the census records from different time periods, you can see how your family members’ lives changed over time.

Here is a sample of some of the information you can find in a census record:

• Family head of household
• Address, name, relationship to family head
• Birthplace of parents
• Occupation
• Property ownership
• Gender, race, sex of household members
• Disabilities of household members

Census Facts

Since the first one in 1790, censuses have been taken every 10 years. The 1890 census records were destroyed by fire in 1931. Accessibility laws make the information contained in census records confidential for 72 years. Subsequently, in 2012, the 1940 census records will be made available for public use by the National Archives.

Where to Locate Census Records

You can gain access to census records at the National Archives, your local archives, the public library and various websites. Though the National Archives does not provide census records on its website, they do give you access to their microfilm catalogs so that you can find out if the information you seek is available before you visit the archives. For details, click here.

Helpful Hint

Remember that you might run into several inconsistencies when comparing census data. Ages, names and spellings may differ for a variety of reasons. For instance, the census clerk might not have understood the individuals interviewed because of a regional accent, or the inability of the family to speak English altogether. Also, the clerk might not have been given the correct age of individuals in the household, especially considering that keeping track of one’s age has not been important throughout history. And, lastly, the people might have been illiterate, which would have impacted how names were spelled.