U.S. Federal Census Records

Federal Census records have been taken every 10 years since 1790. In addition, an 1885 federal census was conducted by five states with the assistance of the federal government. The states were: Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, Dakota Territory and New Mexico.

The U.S. Federal censuses are on 35 (mm) millimeter microfilm. The Soundex rolls are on 16 mm microfilm.

The 1790 through 1840 censuses list only the head of household. The rest of the family are shown as males and females in varying age groups.

The 1810 Federal Census for the District of Columbia is missing, presumed destroyed by fire.

Federal censuses are not publicly available for a period of 72 years after they were taken. Example: The 1930 census will become available in the year 2002.

Federal Censuses: 1790 - 1920

The U.S. Federal census microfilms are available for purchase from Census Microfilm Expeditors for $7.95 per roll, shipping and handling included. Year States Available 1790 CT, ME, MD, MA, NH, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VT. 1790 Printed Schedules The Bureau of the Census published the 1790 census schedules (in print form) in 1907-8. These have been microfilmed and are available by ordering Series T498 Rolls 1, 2 and 3. 1800 CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VT. 1810 CT, DE, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT. 1820 CT, DE, DC, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NH, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA. 1830 AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA. 1840 AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WI 1850 AL, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI. 1860 AL, AR, CA, CT, Dakota Territory, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN,MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI. 1870 AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, Dakota Territory, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY. 1880 AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, Dakota Territory, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY. 1885 Yes, there was an 1885 Federal census. It was conducted with the assistance of the Federal government for the following states: Colorado, Dakota Territory, Florida, Nebraska and New Mexico. 1890 Almost entirely destroyed by fire, only a few records exist. The listing that follows is everything that has survived. 1890 U.S. Census (Includes Everything Extant) Most of the 1890 population schedules were so badly damaged by a fire in the Commerce Department Building in January 1921 that they were disposed of. Only a few schedules still exist. SERIES ROLL (INCLUDES) M407 1 ALABAMA Perry County (Perryville Beat No. 11 and Severe Beat No. 8) 2 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Q, 13th, 14th, R, Q, Corcoran, 15th, S, R, and Riggs Streets, Johnson Avenue, and S Street 3 GEORGIA Muscogee County (Columbus); ILLINOIS McDonough County (Mound Twp); MINNESOTA Wright County (Rockford); NEW JERSEY Hudson County (Jersey City); NEW YORK Westchester County, Eastchester); and Suffolk County (Brookhaven Twp); NORTH CAROLINA Gaston County (South Point Twp and River Bend Twp) and Cleveland County (Twp. No. 2); OHIO Hamilton County (Cincinnati) and Clinton County (Wayne Twp.); SOUTH DAKOTA Union County (Jefferson Twp.); TEXAS Ellis County (J. P. No. 6, Mountain Peak, and Ovilla Precinct), Hood County (Precinct No. 5), Rusk County (No. 6 and J. P. No. 7), Trinity County (Trinity Town and Precinct No. 2) and Kaufman County (Kaufman). 1890 Census All States Series, 16 millimeter microfilm This index covers the names appearing on the few surviving 1890 population schedules. SERIES ROLL (INCLUDES) M496 1 A-J 2 K-Z
1890 U.S. Special Census of Veterans The 1890 Civil War Veterans census has come to be used as a replacement for the destroyed 1890 Federal census. It enumerated the surviving Civil War Veterans and their Widows, though a few Confederate Veterans have been listed by mistake. Series M123 Rolls 1-118. 1900 Available for all states. 1910 Available for all states and Puerto Rico. 1920 Available for all states, Guam, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 1930 Not available to the public yet. Will be released in the year 2002.
The U.S. Federal census microfilms 1790 - 1920 are available for purchase from Census Microfilm Expeditors for $7.95 per roll, shipping and handling included.