"The U.S. government
began conducting a census every ten years, beginning in 1790 and continuing
through to the most recent census in 2000. Censuses are conducted to
understand the density and geographical distribution of the population. They
are also done to help understand the makeup of the population in terms of
age, sex, race, occupation, and a variety of other criteria. At times during
the past two centuries, special census schedules have also been used with or
in addition to the standard population schedules. These have included slave
schedules, industrial schedules, agricultural and manufacturing schedules, mortality schedules and special schedules for military veterans of some wars
and their widows. census data has also been used to determine legislative
representation, allocation of federal funds, and for planning purposes of
all sorts.
As a genealogist, you can be grateful for census records.
From the first federal population enumeration in 1790, the names of the heads of households have been listed on the census, along with other
information. Beginning with the 1850 census, the names of all other members
of each household were listed as well, along with other detailed information
about them. In successive decades' censuses, more and more questions were
asked and more information was included. For example, in the 1900 census,
the birthplace of each individual—as well as that of the individual’s father
and mother—was listed, an invaluable tool for tracing the location of
persons in previous censuses in other locations.
Federal census records for 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830,
1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 were microfilmed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and are available for
viewing there, at larger libraries and archives with genealogical
collections, and at or through LDS Family History Centers™ (FHCs). (The 1890
census has been almost completely lost, with only a few exceptions, as a
result of fire and water damage. However, other materials can sometimes be
used as a census substitute.) The 1930 census has also been microfilmed and
will be released to the public in 2002, seventy-two years after it was
taken, and all subsequent censuses will be released seventy-two years after
they were taken—all to protect individuals' privacy. "–
George G. Morgan
and special schedules for military veterans of some wars
and their widows. census