District of Columbia Census: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States ]] >  [[United States Census|U.S. Census ]] >  [[District of Columbia|District of Columbia]]  >  [[District_of_Columbia_Census|Census]]''
| link1=[[United_States_Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Census|U.S. Census]]
| link3=[[District_of_Columbia_Genealogy|District of Columbia]]
| link4=
| link5=[[District_of_Columbia_Census|Census]]
}}{{DC-sidebar}}


==Online Federal Censuses==
== Available and Lost Census Schedules ==
===Population Schedules===
Starting in 1790, federal population schedules were taken every 10 years in the United States. [[United States Census|'''Click here for more information''']] about federal census records. <br><br>


======United States Federal Censuses with Online Links======
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%" align="center" border="1"
{| class="wikitable" width= "70%" style="display: inline-table;"
|-
|-
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"| [[United States Census 1790|1790 (a part of Maryland)]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" colspan="90" | '''District of Columbia:&nbsp;Existing and Lost Federal Census Schedules'''<ref>Anne Bruner Eales, and Robert M Kvasnicka, ed., ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44420788 Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States, 3d ed.]'' (Washington, D.C.: NARA, 2000), 31-32 and 43. </ref><ref>William Thorndale, and William Dollarhide, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/16509993 Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920]'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1987), 105. </ref><ref>William Dollarhide, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/41640325 The Census Book: A Genealogists Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes]'' (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1999), 152-58. </ref>
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"| [[United States Census 1800|1800]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"| [[United States Census 1810|1810]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"| [[United States Census 1820|1820]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"| [[United States Census 1830|1830]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"| [[United States Census 1840|1840]]
|-
|-
|{{RecordSearch|1803959|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5058/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" width="80" bgcolor="#ffcc99" | '''Exact Date'''
|{{RecordSearch|1804228|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7590/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" | '''Population Schedules'''
|{{RecordSearch|1803765|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7613/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" | '''Veterans/ Pensioners'''
|{{RecordSearch|1803955|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7734/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" | '''Slave Owners'''
|{{RecordSearch|1803958|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8058/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" | '''Mortality'''
|{{RecordSearch|1786457|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8057/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" | '''Agricultural'''
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" | '''Industrial/ Manufact- urers'''
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" | '''Defective'''
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffcc99" colspan="28" | '''Indian'''<ref>Only for Indian schedules taken along with Federal population schedules. </ref>
|-
|-
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1850|1850]]
| align="left" | '''1940''' Apr 1
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1860|1860]]
| align="center" | Public release in&nbsp;2012
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1870|1870]]
| align="center" | -
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1880|1880]]
| align="center" | -
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1890|1890]]
| align="center" | -
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1900|1900]]
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|{{RecordSearch|1401638|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/ Ancestry.com]
| align="left" | '''1930''' Apr 1
|{{RecordSearch|1473181|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" | Exist
|{{RecordSearch|1438024|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" | -
|{{RecordSearch|1417683|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" | -
|{{RecordSearch|1610551|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5445/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" | -
|{{RecordSearch|1325221|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1910|1910]]
| align="left" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''1920''' Jan 1
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1920|1920]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Exist
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1930|1930]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1940|1940]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1950|1950]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1960|1960]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|{{RecordSearch|1727033|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ Ancestry.com]
| align="left" | '''1910''' Apr 15
|{{RecordSearch|1488411|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" | Exist
|{{RecordSearch|1810731|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" | -
|{{RecordSearch|2000219|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ Ancestry.com]
| align="center" | -
|{{RecordSearch|4464515|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62308/ Ancestry.com]<br> [https://1950census.archives.gov/search/ NARA] 
| align="center" | -
|Release Date <br> April 1, 2032
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | Exist
|-
|-
|}
| align="left" | '''1900''' Jun 1
 
| align="center" | Exist
===Non-Population Schedules for District of Columbia===
| align="center" | -
Federal non-population schedules included such things mortality schedules, agriculture schedules, slave schedules, and manufacturing schedules.
| align="center" | -  
{| class="wikitable" width= flexible style="display: inline-table;"
| align="center" | -  
|-
| align="center" | -  
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Year
| align="center" | -  
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Type of Census
| align="center" | -  
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;"| Links
| align="center" colspan="28" | Exist
|-
|1890
|Veterans
| at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8667/ Ancestry]
|-
|1880
|Defective
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1634/ Ancestry]
|-
|1880
|Mortality
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry]
|-
|1880
|Industry
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
|-
|1880
|Agriculture
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
|-
|1870
|Mortality
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry]
|-
|1870
|Industry
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
|-
|-
|1870
| align="left" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''1890''' Jun 2
|Agriculture
| align="center" width="20%" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Only&nbsp;a few&nbsp;streets in Washington exist
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Lost'''
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1860
| align="left" | '''1880''' Jun 1
|Slave owner
| align="center" | Exist
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7668/ Ancestry]
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1860
| align="left" | '''1870''' Jun 1
|Mortality
| align="center" | Exist
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry]
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1860
| align="left" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''1860''' Jun 1
|Industry
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Exist
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Exist
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Exist
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Exist
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Exist
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1860
| align="left" | '''1850''' Jun 1
|Agriculture
| align="center" | Exist
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1850
| align="left" | '''1840''' Jun 1
|Social Statistics
| align="center" | Exist
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1850
| align="left" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''1830''' Jun 1
|Slave owner
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Exist
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8055/ Ancestry]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1850
| align="left" | '''1820 '''Aug 7
|Mortality
| align="center" | Exist
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry]
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | Exist
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1850
| align="left" | '''1810''' Aug 6
|Industry
| align="center" | '''Lost'''&nbsp;
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | '''Lost'''
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
|1850
| align="left" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''1800''' Aug 4
|Agriculture
| align="center" width="19%" bgcolor="#ffff99" | Exist for MD side; lost for VA side.
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
|1840
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
|Pensioners
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -  
|at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7678/ Ancestry]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | -
| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" colspan="28" | -
|-
|-
| align="left" | '''1790 '''Aug 2
| align="center" | Exist for MD side; lost for VA side.
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" colspan="28" | -
|}
|}


=== Existing and lost censuses  ===
<br>
 
==== Sources and Notes  ====
 
{{reflist}}<br>
 
== Location  ==
 
'''United States Censuses 1850-1920'''—Free Internet census indexes and images to the [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1401638;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable 1850], [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1473181;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable 1860], [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1438024;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable 1870], [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1417683;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable 1880 (index only)], [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1325221 1900], and [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1488411 1920 (partial index only)] can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search. These indexes show every name listed on the census, and except for 1880 and 1920, are also linked to census images including information about each person’s residence, age, birthplace, occupation, other family members, and neighbors.
 
Federal census records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more detailed information about these records.
 
'''1790--''' Residents living east of the Potomac in what is now the District of Columbia were in Prince George&nbsp;and Montgomery Counties of Maryland. The census for Maryland is indexed. The area west of the Potomac was included in the Virginia census, which is missing.
 
'''1800--'''The Eastern Portion exists.<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1216410819489_836" />
 
'''1810--'''Lost or Destroyed.
 
'''1820-1930--'''The Family History Library has the U.S. federal censuses of the District of Columbia.&nbsp;&nbsp;'''&nbsp;'''
 
'''1890--''' The enumerations of a few streets in 1890 are on FHL [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=231212&disp=Population+schedules+of+the+eleventh+cen++ film 926498] and all the names have been indexed (FHL[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=393337&disp=1890+U%2ES%2E+census%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 973 X2na 1890]; [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=227543&disp=Index+to+the+eleventh+census+of+the+Unit++ films 543341-<span id="1216410293840S" style="display: none">&nbsp;</span>42]).
 
== Historical Background  ==
 
During the War of 1812, The British captured Washington and burned most of the public buildings and records. In 1871 Congress changed the city's status to that of a federal territory.&nbsp;
 
== Indexes ==
 
'''United States Census Indexes 1850-1920'''—Free Internet census indexes to the [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1401638;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable 1850], [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1473181;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable 1860], [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1438024;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable 1870], [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1417683;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable 1880], [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1325221 1900], and [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1488411 1920 (partial index only)] can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search.
 
'''1890--'''The veterans schedule for 1890 (FHL [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=230777&disp=Schedules+enumerating+Union+veterans+and++ film 0338277]) and an index (FHL [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=263427&disp=1890+District+of+Columbia+census+index%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 975.3 X22j 1890]) are also at the&nbsp;Family History Library.
 
== Special Censuses  ==
 
==== Mortality Schedules  ====
 
1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 are on FHL [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=343721&disp=Federal+mortality+census+schedules+and+r++ films 1549978-9]. All have been indexed.
 
:[http://mortalityschedules.com/ Mortality Schedules 1850-1880]
 
==== District Censuses  ====
 
'''1803, 1807, 1818--'''District censuses were taken,but have little information.
 
'''1867-1878--'''District censuses&nbsp;are quite detailed. They provide name, age, sex, marital status, color, length&nbsp;of&nbsp;residence, occupation, and nativity of parents. These are at the '''Maryland State Archives'''.


For a list of available and missing District of Columbia censuses, [[District of Columbia Censuses Existing and Lost|click here]]. <br>
==== Slave Holder Schedules  ====


== Online Federal District and Colonial Censuses  ==
'''1850 United States Census Slave Schedules'''—A free Internet index and images to the 1850 United States Census Slave Schedules can be viewed on the [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#c=1420440;p=collectionDetails;t=searchable FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site] listing each '''slave owner's''' name and residence. It also shows the age, gender, and color of the slaves. Slave names are not normally listed.


In addition to the federal censuses, district censuses were taken beginning in 1803. Those for 1803, 1807, and 1818 have little information, but those for 1867 and 1878 are quite detailed. They provide name, age, sex, marital status, color, length of residence, occupation, and nativity of parents. These are at the Maryland State Archives.  Police censuses were also taken in 1885, 1894, 1897, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1912, 1915, 1917, 1919, and 1925 (the 1925 census is missing). These are similar in content to the 1820 federal census and were published in the Annual Reports of the Commissioner of the District of Columbia, which are available at the National Archives.  
==== '''Police Censuses''' ====


*'''1919''' Police Census
Police censuses&nbsp;exist for the following&nbsp;years:&nbsp;
*'''1915''' Police Census
*'''1913''' Police Census
*'''1912''' Police Census
*'''1905-1909''' Police Census
*'''1897''' Police Census
*'''1888''' Police Census
*'''1885''' Police Census
*'''1878''' District Census
*'''1867''' District Census
*'''1818''' District Census
*'''1807''' District Census
*'''1803''' District Census
*'''1798''' District Census


==Other Census Images==
'''1885, 1894, 1897, 1905-1909, 1912, 1915, 1917, 1919'''  
*'''1890 D.C. veterans schedules for military forts, prisons, posts, etc.''' This does '''not''' include veterans living off their post among the civilians of D.C. whose schedules were destroyed. The veterans military posts schedule for 1890 (FS Library {{FSC|230777|title-id|disp=film 0338277}}).


==Why Use the Census?==
'''1925--'''The 1925 census is missing.
State census records can be one of the easiest ways to locate where an ancestor's family lived and when they lived there. Information varies based on year and location, but information that may be included in a census can include:
 
*Name of each person in the family at the time the census was taken
These are similar in content to the 1820 federal census and were published in the Annual Reports of the Commissioner of the District of Columbia, which are available at the National Archives.
*Street or Avenue, or number Rural Free Delivery
 
*Sex
== State Censuses  ==
*Age
 
*Color
No state censuses exist for the District of Columbia.<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1216411935739_140" />
*Nativity
 
*Place of birth of this person
== Web Sites  ==
*Place of birth of Father of this person
 
*Place of birth of Mother of this person
[http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=allCollections;r=0 FamilySearch Record Search] has free census indexes and images for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1900; but indexes only for 1880, and 1920.
*Period of Residence
 
*How long a resident of this State (years and months)
Ancestry:&nbsp; [http://www.ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com]
*How long a resident of this enumeration district (years and months)
 
*Regular occupation
Heritage Quest Online:&nbsp; [http://www.heritagequestonline.com http://www.heritagequestonline.com]
*Military service
 
Census Online:&nbsp; [http://www.census-online.com/links/DC/ http://www.census-online.com/links/DC/]
 
Genealogy Today:&nbsp; [http://dir.genealogytoday.com/usa/dc/census.html http://dir.genealogytoday.com/usa/dc/census.html]
 
Access Genealogy:&nbsp;[http://www.accessgenealogy.com/census/washdc.htm http://www.accessgenealogy.com/census/washdc.htm]
 
Mortality Schedules:&nbsp; [http://mortalityschedules.com/ http://mortalityschedules.com/]
 
== Sources  ==


=== Sources and footnotes  ===
{{reflist}}  
{{reflist}}  


{{District of Columbia|District of Columbia}}{{USCensus}}
[[Category:District_of_Columbia|Census]]
 
[[Category:Washington, D.C., United States]][[Category:District of Columbia Census Records‎]]

Revision as of 18:49, 27 October 2009

United States  >  U.S. Census  >  District of Columbia  >  Census

Available and Lost Census Schedules[edit | edit source]

District of Columbia: Existing and Lost Federal Census Schedules[1][2][3]
Exact Date Population Schedules Veterans/ Pensioners Slave Owners Mortality Agricultural Industrial/ Manufact- urers Defective Indian[4]
1940 Apr 1 Public release in 2012 - - - - - - -
1930 Apr 1 Exist - - - - - - -
1920 Jan 1 Exist - - - - - - -
1910 Apr 15 Exist - - - - - - Exist
1900 Jun 1 Exist - - - - - - Exist
1890 Jun 2 Only a few streets in Washington exist Lost - - - - - -
1880 Jun 1 Exist - - Exist Exist Exist Exist -
1870 Jun 1 Exist - - Exist Exist Exist - -
1860 Jun 1 Exist - Exist Exist Exist Exist - -
1850 Jun 1 Exist - Exist Exist Exist Exist - -
1840 Jun 1 Exist Exist - - - - - -
1830 Jun 1 Exist - - - - - - -
1820 Aug 7 Exist - - - - Exist - -
1810 Aug 6 Lost  - - - - Lost - -
1800 Aug 4 Exist for MD side; lost for VA side. - - - - - - -
1790 Aug 2 Exist for MD side; lost for VA side. - - - - - - -


Sources and Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Anne Bruner Eales, and Robert M Kvasnicka, ed., Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States, 3d ed. (Washington, D.C.: NARA, 2000), 31-32 and 43.
  2. ↑ William Thorndale, and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1987), 105.
  3. ↑ William Dollarhide, The Census Book: A Genealogists Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes (Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1999), 152-58.
  4. ↑ Only for Indian schedules taken along with Federal population schedules.


Location[edit | edit source]

United States Censuses 1850-1920—Free Internet census indexes and images to the 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (index only), 1900, and 1920 (partial index only) can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search. These indexes show every name listed on the census, and except for 1880 and 1920, are also linked to census images including information about each person’s residence, age, birthplace, occupation, other family members, and neighbors.

Federal census records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more detailed information about these records.

1790-- Residents living east of the Potomac in what is now the District of Columbia were in Prince George and Montgomery Counties of Maryland. The census for Maryland is indexed. The area west of the Potomac was included in the Virginia census, which is missing.

1800--The Eastern Portion exists.

1810--Lost or Destroyed.

1820-1930--The Family History Library has the U.S. federal censuses of the District of Columbia.   

1890-- The enumerations of a few streets in 1890 are on FHL film 926498 and all the names have been indexed (FHLbook 973 X2na 1890; films 543341-42).

Historical Background[edit | edit source]

During the War of 1812, The British captured Washington and burned most of the public buildings and records. In 1871 Congress changed the city's status to that of a federal territory. 

Indexes[edit | edit source]

United States Census Indexes 1850-1920—Free Internet census indexes to the 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, and 1920 (partial index only) can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search.

1890--The veterans schedule for 1890 (FHL film 0338277) and an index (FHL book 975.3 X22j 1890) are also at the Family History Library.

Special Censuses[edit | edit source]

Mortality Schedules[edit | edit source]

1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 are on FHL films 1549978-9. All have been indexed.

Mortality Schedules 1850-1880

District Censuses[edit | edit source]

1803, 1807, 1818--District censuses were taken,but have little information.

1867-1878--District censuses are quite detailed. They provide name, age, sex, marital status, color, length of residence, occupation, and nativity of parents. These are at the Maryland State Archives.

Slave Holder Schedules[edit | edit source]

1850 United States Census Slave Schedules—A free Internet index and images to the 1850 United States Census Slave Schedules can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site listing each slave owner's name and residence. It also shows the age, gender, and color of the slaves. Slave names are not normally listed.

Police Censuses[edit | edit source]

Police censuses exist for the following years: 

1885, 1894, 1897, 1905-1909, 1912, 1915, 1917, 1919

1925--The 1925 census is missing.

These are similar in content to the 1820 federal census and were published in the Annual Reports of the Commissioner of the District of Columbia, which are available at the National Archives.

State Censuses[edit | edit source]

No state censuses exist for the District of Columbia.

Web Sites[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Record Search has free census indexes and images for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1900; but indexes only for 1880, and 1920.

Ancestry:  http://www.ancestry.com

Heritage Quest Online:  http://www.heritagequestonline.com

Census Online:  http://www.census-online.com/links/DC/

Genealogy Today:  http://dir.genealogytoday.com/usa/dc/census.html

Access Genealogy: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/census/washdc.htm

Mortality Schedules:  http://mortalityschedules.com/

Sources[edit | edit source]

Family History Library (FHL); now called, FamilySearch Library (FSL)

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