Census Records
Conducted every 10 years in the U.S. since 1790, the U.S. census attempts to
enumerate the population. Of course, having changed greatly since 1790,
these census records available for genealogy research can reveal names of
household members, ages, occupations, education, marital status, and address.
Census records remain essentially private for 72 years;
therefore, the latest census available for genealogy research is
the 1930 census. The 1940 census will be released on April
1, 2012.
The census is a must for genealogy research and this is where
you should begin.
Search Federal Census Schedules 1790-1930 at Ancestry.com:
(Scroll down to the State Links to search available free
resources.)
Free State Resources
U.S. and Canada Census Records
This will search all U.S. and Canada census resources at Ancestry.com
1850
Slave Schedules **Ancestry.com**
This database details those persons enumerated in the Slave
Schedule of the 1850 United States Federal Census, the Seventh Census of the
United States. In addition, the names of those listed on the slave schedule
are linked to the actual images of the 1850 Federal Census. Slaves were enumerated
separately during the 1850 and 1860 censuses, though, unfortunately, most
schedules do not provide personal names. In most cases, individuals were not
named but were simply numbered and can be distinguished only by age, sex,
and color; the names of owners are recorded. However, some enumerators listed
the given names of slaves, particularly those over one hundred years of age.
These names are generally found in the "name of slave owners" column.
Other questions asked include whether a fugitive from the state (meaning if
the slave had fled and not returned); number manumitted (or freed); and whether
deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic.
1860
Slave Schedules 
**Ancestry.com** This database details those persons enumerated in
the Slave Schedule of the 1860 United States Federal Census, the Seventh Census
of the United States. In addition, the names of those listed on the slave
schedule are linked to the actual images of the 1860 Federal Census. Slaves
were enumerated separately during the 1850 and 1860 censuses, though, unfortunately,
most schedules do not provide personal names. In most cases, individuals were
not named but were simply numbered and can be distinguished only by age, sex,
and color; the names of owners are recorded. However, some enumerators listed
the given names of slaves, particularly those over one hundred years of age.
These names are generally found in the "name of slave owners" column.
Other questions asked include whether a fugitive from the state (meaning if
the slave had fled and not returned); number manumitted (or freed); and whether
deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic, and number of slave houses.
1890
Veterans Schedules **Ancestry.com** This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the
1890 special census of Civil War Union veterans and widows of veterans. Although
this schedule was to be used to enumerate Union veterans, in some areas, Confederate
veterans were listed as well. The 1890 veterans schedules provided spaces
for the following information: names of surviving soldiers, sailors, and marines,
and widows; rank; name of regiment or vessel; date of enlistment; date of
discharge, length of service; post office address; disability incurred; and
remarks. Although all of this information is available on the census schedules
themselves, information listed in this index includes the veteran's name or
widow's name, rank, year of enlistment, and year of discharge.
1890
Census Substitute 
** Ancestry.com** When a basement fire in the Commerce Building
in Washington, D.C. destroyed most of the 1890 federal census, a valuable
source of information was lost to researchers of America's past. More than
20 million records have been identified for inclusion in the collection and
additions will be made regularly as they become available for posting. It
will include fragments of the original 1890 census that survived the fire,
special veterans schedules, several Native American tribe censuses for years
surrounding 1890, state censuses (1885 or 1895), city and county directories,
alumni directories, and voter registration documents. When completed, this
collection will be an unparalleled tool for researchers of American ancestors.
AIS
Census Indexes 
** Ancestry.com** This collection contains Federal Census Indexes,
State Census Indexes, and indexes to various Federal non-population schedules
(Mortality Schedules, Veterans Schedules, Slaves Schedules) for most of the
U.S. and parts of Canada. The scope of the collection includes colonial records
(pre-1790 tax lists, resident's lists, etc.) and censuses from 1790 to 1870.
Some census indexes for later years exist for some states (i.e. Hawaii 1910,
Colorado 1880, etc.). It is estimated that the collection contains information
on some 35 million people.
