Federal decennial population census schedules contain a wealth of information for genealogists as well as for historians and social scientists. They are of use to the family historian and researcher interested in westward expansion, the status of free and slave labor, regional and local history, immigration, and so forth. Often they contain evidence for proving citizenship.

As a rule, the information gathered in each successive census is progressively more detailed. The schedules for the period 1790-1840 show the names of enumerated heads of families only, other members of the family being simply tallied by age groups, sex, and race (white or Negro). All subsequent enumerations, however, list each individual in a household by name with exception of the slave schedules for 1850 and 1860, which show only the name of the owner and the number of his slaves by age group and sex. The 1850 census was the first to record each person's age, occupation if over age 15, and place of birth. If the parent of a person enumerated in the 1870 schedules was of foreign birth, that fact is indicated. The 1880 census adds the relationship of each individual to the head of the family, and gives the place of birth of the parents of the person enumerated.

Most of the 1890 population schedules were destroyed or badly damaged by fire. The few surviving segments have been microfilmed. The 1890 special census of Union veterans and widows of Union veterans of the Civil War gives information about the military service of each veteran named and the post office address of each listed person who was living at the time of the enumeration.

The 1900 census consisted originally of seven schedules. Two population schedules were prepared, one for native Americans and one for all other residents. These are the schedules that are reproduced as microfilm publication T623. The five remaining schedules, containing information on agriculture, manufacturers, mortality, and crime, are not available from the National Archives or from Heritage Quest at this time.

The 1900 census schedules give for each person: name; address; relationship to the head of the household; color or race; sex; month and year of birth; age at last birthday; marital status; if a wife is listed within the household, then the number of years married, number of children born of that marriage, and the number of children living; places of birth of each individual and of the parents of each individual; citizenship; if the individual is foreign born, then the year of immigration and the number of years in the United States; the citizenship status of foreign born individuals over age 21; occupation; whether or not the person can read, write, and speak English; whether home is owned or rented; whether or not home is a farm; and whether or not home is mortgaged.

The 1910 census schedules record the following information for each person: name; relationship to head of household; sex; color or race; age at last birthday; marital status; length of present marriage; if a mother, number of children and number of living children; place of birth; place of birth of parents; if foreign born, year of immigration and citizenship status; language spoken; occupation; type of industry employed in; if employer, employee, or self-employed; if unemployed; number of weeks unemployed in 1909; if home is rented or owned; if home is owned, free or mortgaged; if home is a house or a farm; if a survivor of the Union or Confederate Army or Navy; if blind in both eyes; and if deaf or dumb. The forms used to survey Indians also recorded the tribe and/or band.

For a more in-depth look at census records, visit our Census Facts section.