Category Archives: Census Research

Federal Census Records: What Will You Find?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by

No single group of records in the United States provides more information about an individual or family in the 19th and early 20th centuries than the federal census. Although information varies from year to year, you can find a remarkable … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Records: Nuts and Bolts

Posted on February 1, 2012 by

To understand what you find in the census, you need to understand some basic terminology.

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Federal Census Records: High Tech!

Posted on January 31, 2012 by

The easiest and most convenient way to access federal census records these days is online, and there are a variety of options available. Ancestry.com . This is probably the best-know family history website, with the most complete collection of census … Continue reading →

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State Historical Society of Iowa Announces Census Program

Posted on January 28, 2012 by

Genealogists and historical researchers are eagerly anticipating the release of the 1940 U.S. Census on 2 April 2012. Statistics from a census can be invaluable for gaining a historical snapshot of life in the U.S. In addition to names, addresses … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Records: 1940

Posted on January 26, 2012 by

We want to move backwards through time as we research our family, remember? The federal government does not release census information for seventy-two years. So until now, researchers could only access the census through 1930. But guess what? This year, … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Records: Index Options

Posted on January 19, 2012 by

If you want to use microfilm copies of the federal census for your family history research, you will first need to narrow your search by consulting an index. There are a variety of options available. Keep in mind that most … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Records: The Old-fashioned Way

Posted on January 13, 2012 by

These days, it’s pretty easy to access Federal census records. The original enumeration schedules and federal copies for 1790 to 1870, and the surviving fragments for 1890, are housed at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington, D.C. … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Records: History

Posted on December 28, 2011 by

The desire of a government to count its people is as old as civilization itself. The ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, Chinese and Greeks are all known to have counted their inhabitants on a regular basis. Perhaps the most famous example is … Continue reading →

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Federal Census Records: An Overview

Posted on December 10, 2011 by

You’ve made the decision to research your family history, selected a genealogical software program, interviewed your entire family, exhausted Grandma’s Family Bible records, and located as many vital records (birth, marriage, and death) as possible. Now what? Once you’ve completed … Continue reading →

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