Facts

State Censuses

Many states took their own census. This was done between the federal censuses, on years ending in 5.

Other Censuses were taken

In addition to the federal census population count, there are a number of special censuses: Slave, Industry & Manufacturing, Agriculture, Social Statistics, Union Veteran & Widow, Defective, Dependent & Delinquent.

Check for other relatives nearby

When you're doing census, be sure to look at 10-20 families before and after the family you are researching.  These folks are the friends and neighbors (and family) of your ancestor.  Families do not live alone.

The 1890 Census

The 1890 census was destroyed but many groups are now gathering other data to fill in this gap.

Getting information before 1st Census

Before 1790 you can use Tax Lists and other local lists that might have been compiled according to the state you are researching in.

Census release is DELAYED

A census is closed for 72 years after it is taken.

Where to start with Census

Begin with the most recent census (1950) and work backwards.

Census defined

A census is an official count of the population living in the United States on a designated day set at intervals.  The census places an ancestor in a specific place at a specific time.

Check pages Census BEFORE and AFTER...

Look further than just the family or person you want to identify on a census record.  If the family is listed at the top of a census page, look back one page to see if there are other members of the family enumerated as well as looking at the next page if the family is enumerated at the bottom of the census page.

Finding Union veterans in Census records

The 1865 New York State Census and the 1885 Wisconsin State Census identifies Union veterans.

Since there are a lot of categories, please choose a category to see just those FACTS!

We are indebted to Lee County Genealogy Society (FL) for a large majority of the "Facts" available on this page. Their list originally contained just over 490 facts. We have reduced that number for our site but will add some as we continue to build our new website.