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Beginning in 1880, indexes on microfilm called Soundexes exist for each census year (except 1890). The information from the federal censuses was written on 3 x 5 cards. The surname of the head of household was converted to a Soundex Code and the cards were then hand sorted by the resulting code and thereafter by the given name of the head of household. Soundexes exist for the years 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920. 1880 lists only those families which had a child under the age of eleven present in the household. 1890 soundex not available. 1900 available for all states. 1910 Only 21 states have soundexes. They are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. 1920 Available for all states. For counties that span more than one roll of microfilm knowing the E.D.# (Enumeration District number) can be important. Without this number you can't be sure you're ordering the correct census microfilm roll. The simplest and least costly method of determining which roll you should order is to conduct a search in the Soundex films. However, for the novice, a Soundex Search can be a daunting task. For those wishing assistance, we can do the Soundex Search for you. Soundex Code Search If you do not know the full name of the head-of-household, a more comprehensive Soundex Search can be done, if enough information about other family members is provided. This is called a Soundex Code Search. For example: You know the family's name was Cobain and that the child you are looking for is John Wesly Cobain, approximate age 12 with two other known siblings Robert and Anna, ages unknown but younger than John. Even with this minimal information, it is still possible to find the family you are seeking. Please call for an accurate quote before placing your order when you cannot provide the head of household's full name. This is known as a Soundex Code Search.
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