Massachusetts Census: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[United States Census|U.S. Census ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Massachusetts|Massachusetts]]  [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Massachusetts_Census|Census]]''
{{MA-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Census|U.S. Census]]
| link3=[[Massachusetts, United States Genealogy|Massachusetts]]
| link4=
| link5=[[Massachusetts Census|Census]]
}}


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
==Online Federal Censuses==
===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>
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts entered the Union on February 6, 1788, as the sixth state. It will appear on the 1790 Census.
 
======United States Federal Censuses with Online Links======
{| class="wikitable" width= "70%" style="display: inline-table;"
|-
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"| [[United States Census 1790|1790]]
!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]
|{{RecordSearch|1804228|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7590/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1803765|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7613/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1803955|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7734/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1803958|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8058/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1786457|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8057/ Ancestry.com]
|-
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1850|1850]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1860|1860]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1870|1870]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1880|1880]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1890|1890]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1900|1900]]
|-
|{{RecordSearch|1401638|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1473181|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1438024|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1417683|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1610551|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5445/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1325221|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ Ancestry.com]
|-
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1910|1910]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1920|1920]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1930|1930]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1940|1940]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1950|1950]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:5.5%"|[[United States Census 1960|1960]]
|-
|{{RecordSearch|1727033|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1488411|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1810731|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|2000219|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|4464515|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62308/ Ancestry.com]<br> [https://1950census.archives.gov/search/ NARA] 
|Release Date <br> April 1, 2032
|-
|-
| width="44%" | __TOC__
| valign="middle" | <center><font size="+1">'''Tips'''</font></center>
*If at first you don't find a name, try again under [[Spelling Substitution Tables for the United States and Canada|another spelling]].
*[[Copying Sources|Photocopy]] each ancestor's census. Identify where you found it.
*Look for an ancestor in '''''every''''' census during her or his lifetime.
*On the [[Adding a Custom Event to a PAF Family Group Record|family group record]] show&nbsp;each person's census listings.
*Study&nbsp;others in the same household, neighbors, and anyone with the similar names nearby on the census in [[Research a Family in Community Context|community context]].
<br>
*For a list of the exact date of each federal census, [[Massachusetts Censuses Existing and Lost|click here]].
|}
|}


=== Online Massachusetts indexes and images  ===
==Online Resources==
 
*'''1855''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20822/1855-massachusetts-state-census?s=275764761 1855 Massachusetts State Census] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
{{Census Online Massachusetts}}
*'''1865''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20820/1865-massachusetts-state-census?s=275764761 1865 Massachusetts State Census] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 
=== Federal population schedules  ===
 
==== Microfilm images ====
 
*
 
==== Indexes: fiche, film, or book  ====
 
For a list of microform and book indexes for the population schedules of Massachusetts, [[Massachusetts Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book|click here]]
 
=== Federal non-population schedules  ===


==== Online indexes and images  ====
'''Additional Census Indexes and Records'''<br>
*'''1630-1788, 1840, 1890''' [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/509/massachusetts-miscellaneous-census-substitutes-1630-1788-1840-1890 Massachusetts: Miscellaneous Census Substitutes, 1630-1788, 1840, 1890] at American Ancestors - index($)


{| width="77%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="center"
===Non-Population Schedules for Massachusetts===
Federal non-population schedules included such things mortality schedules, agriculture schedules, slave schedules, and manufacturing schedules.
{| class="wikitable" width= flexible style="display: inline-table;"
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ff9900" align="center" colspan="11" | <font size="+1">'''Online Federal Non-Population Schedules for Massachusetts'''</font>
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Year
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Type of Census
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;"| Links
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ff9900" colspan="2" | <br>
|1890
| bgcolor="#ff9966" align="center" colspan="3" | '''Free'''
|Veterans
| bgcolor="#cccccc" align="center" colspan="3" | '''Free at Some Libraries''' (usually&nbsp;with&nbsp;library&nbsp;card)  
| {{RecordSearch|1877095|FamilySearch}}
| bgcolor="#ff9900" align="center" | '''Pay'''
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8667/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ff9900" align="center" | '''Year'''
|1880
| width="10%" bgcolor="#ff9900" align="center" | '''Type'''
|Defective
| bgcolor="#ff9966" align="center" | '''Record Search'''
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1634/ Ancestry.com] ($)
| bgcolor="#ff9966" align="center" | '''Census Bureau'''
| bgcolor="#ff9966" align="center" | '''Google Book'''
| bgcolor="#cccccc" align="center" | '''Heritage Quest'''
| bgcolor="#cccccc" align="center" | '''Ancestry FHL'''
| bgcolor="#cccccc" align="center" | '''Ancestry Library'''
| bgcolor="#ff9900" align="center" | '''Ancestry Home'''
|-
|-
| '''1890'''
|1880
| width="20%" | Veterans
|Mortality
| align="center" | -
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry.com] ($)
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=8667&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=8667&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=8667&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0 Link]
|-
|-
| '''1880'''
|1880
| width="20%" | Defective
|Manufacturing
| align="center" | -
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1634 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1634 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1634 Link]
|-
|-
| '''1880'''
|1880
| width="20%" | Mortality
|Agriculture
| align="center" | -
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
|-
|-
| '''1870'''
|1870
| Mortality
|Social Statistics
| align="center" | -
|{{FSC|565601|item|disp=FamilySearch}}
| align="center" | -
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
|-
|-
| '''1860'''
|1870
| Mortality  
|Mortality
| align="center" | -
|{{RecordSearch|2311325|FamilySearch}}
| align="center" | -
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry.com] ($)
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
|-
|-
| '''1850'''
|1870
| Mortality
|Manufacturing
| align="center" | [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;c=1420441 Link]
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3530 Link]
|-
|-
| '''1840'''
|1870
| Pensioners
|Agriculture
| align="center" | -
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
| align="center" | [http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1840c-01.pdf BookLink]
| align="center" | [http://books.google.com/books?id=W7JYAAAAMAAJ&dq=1840+census+pensioners&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=W0XUmfgahX&sig=WRyMIVwiePLwKmlxhbchJl1ZeeA&hl=en&ei=SJ0MSvSrBqOMtgf19I2FCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10#PPA61,M1 BookLink]
| align="center" | -
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7678 Link]
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7678 Link]  
| align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7678 Link]
|}
 
==== Microfilm images  ====
 
*1880 mortality schedules ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=565641&disp=Schedule+5.+Persons+who+died+during+th++ Family History Library film 1421020–23])
*1870 mortality schedules ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=565601&disp=Schedule+5.+Social+statistics+for+the+++ Family History Library film 1421018–19])
*1860 mortality schedules ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=565573&disp=Schedule+3.+Persons+who+died+during+th++ Family History Library film 1421017])  
*1850 mortality schedules ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=343724&disp=Schedule+3.+Persons+who+died+during+th++ Family History Library film 1421015–16])
 
==== Indexes: fiche, film, or book  ====
 
For a list of microform and book indexes for the non-population schedules of Massachusetts, [[Massachusetts Non-Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book|click here]].
 
=== State and colonial censuses  ===
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="center"
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#99cc99" align="center" colspan="90" | '''State and Colonial Censuses of Massachusetts'''
|1860
|Social Statistics
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| align="left" | '''1945'''
|1860
| width="85%" align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Lainh">Ann S. Lainhart, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26517040 State Census Records]'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1992)[[{{Lainha}}]], 57-61.</ref><ref name="Dubest">Henry J. Dubester, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/37244714 State Censuses: An Annotated Bibliography of Censuses of Population Taken After the Year 1790 by States and Territories of the United States]'' (Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1948) [[{{Dubester}}]], 24-29.</ref>
|Mortality
|{{FSC|565601|item|disp=FamilySearch}}
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''1935'''
|1860
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Lainh" /><ref name="Dubest" />
|Manufacturing
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| align="left" | '''1925'''
|1860
| align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Lainh" /><ref name="Dubest" />
|Agriculture
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''1915'''
|1850
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Lainh" /><ref name="Dubest" />
|Social Statistics
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| align="left" | '''1905'''
|1850
| align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Lainh" /><ref name="Dubest" />
|Mortality
|{{RecordSearch|1420441|FamilySearch}}
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''1895'''
|1850
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Lainh" /><ref name="Dubest" />
|Manufacturing
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| align="left" | '''1885'''
|1850
| align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Lainh" /><ref name="Dubest" />
|Agriculture
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''1875'''
|1840
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Lainh" /><ref name="Dubest" />
|Pensioners
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7678/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|-
| align="left" | '''1865''' May 1
|}
| align="left" | Exist<ref name="Dubest" /><ref name="Lainhart">Ann S. Lainhart, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26517040 State Census Records]'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1992)[[{{Lainha}}]], 57-61. Original censuses at the Massachusetts State Archives.</ref><ref name="MassCn5565">Massachusetts, Secretary of the Commonwealth, ''State Census, 1855–1865'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1974) [[{{Mass5565}}]]. For online census editions see "[[Massachusetts_Census#Online_Massachusetts_indexes_and_images|Online Federal and State Population Schedules for Massachusetts]]" above.</ref>
 
===Existing and Lost Censuses===
*[[Massachusetts Censuses Existing and Lost|List of existing and lost federal censuses for Massachusetts]]
 
==Online State and Territorial Censuses==
State censuses are census records that were taken at the state-level rather than at the federal. Often, but not always, a state took their census in ten year increments 5 years from when the Federal Census was taken, such as 1885. State censuses can even serve as substitutes for missing federal censuses. For more information on state censuses, visit [https://www.census.gov/history/www/genealogy/other_resources/state_censuses.html United States Census Bureau].<br><br>
Territorial censuses were taken by the federal government to count the population in federal territories. The government needed to count the population in the territory to see if it could qualify for statehood. For more information on territorial censuses, visit the [[United States Census Territorial|US Territorial Census page]].<br>
 
Although Massachusetts conducted a census up to 1975, the 1855 and 1865 censuses are the only two surviving schedules.<ref>[https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcgen/genidx.htm#census Researching Your Family’s History at the Massachusetts Archives]</ref><br>
{| class="wikitable" width= flexible="display: inline-table;"
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''1855''' June 1
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Year
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | Exist<ref name="Dubest" /><ref name="Lainhart">Ann S. Lainhart, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26517040 State Census Records]'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1992)[[{{Lainha}}]], 57-61. Originals at the Massachusetts State Archives.</ref><ref name="MassCn5565" />
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Type of Census
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;"| Links
|-
|-
| align="left" | '''1850'''
|1865
| align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Dubest" />
|State, all household members
|at {{RecordSearch|1410399|FamilySearch}}
at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9203 Ancestry.com] ($)<br>
at [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/535/massachusetts-1865-state-census American Ancestors] ($)
|-
|-
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''1840'''
|1855
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Dubest" />
|State, all household members
|at {{RecordSearch|1459985|FamilySearch}}, index & images
at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4472 Ancestry.com] ($)<br>
at [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/533/massachusetts-1855-state-census?refreshed=true American Ancestors] ($)
|-
|-
| align="left" | '''1837''' May 1
| align="left" | '''Lost'''<ref name="Dubest" />
|}
|}


=== Existing and lost censuses  ===
==Why Use the Census?==
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
*Street or Avenue, or number Rural Free Delivery
*Sex
*Age
*Color
*Nativity
*Place of birth of this person
*Place of birth of Father of this person
*Place of birth of Mother of this person
*Period of Residence
*How long a resident of this State (years and months)
*How long a resident of this enumeration district (years and months)
*Regular occupation
*Military service


For a list of available and missing Massachusetts censuses, [[Massachusetts Censuses Existing and Lost|click here]]. <br>
=== Why use a census?  ===
A well-indexed census is one of the easiest ways to locate where an ancestor's family lived and when they lived there. You can also use censuses to follow the changes in a family over time, and identify neighbors. These and other clues provided by censuses are important because they help find additional kinds of records about the family.
=== More about censuses  ===
[[United States Census|Click here]] for additional details about how to use censuses, such as:
:*[[United States Census Searching|index searching tips]]
:*[[United States Census Analyzing Census Data|analyzing and using what you find]]
:*[[United States Census Accuracy|census accuracy]]
:*[[United States Census Historical Background|historical background]]
:*[[United States Census#Contents_of_Federal_Censuses|contents of various census years and types]]


=== Sources and footnotes  ===
=== Sources and footnotes  ===
Line 204: Line 203:
{{reflist}}  
{{reflist}}  


{{Place|Massachusetts}} {{USCensus}} {{stub}}
 
<br>


[[Category:Massachusetts|Census]]
[[Category:Massachusetts Census Records|Census]]

Latest revision as of 10:33, 17 July 2025

Massachusetts Wiki Topics
Massachusetts flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Massachusetts Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Online Federal Censuses[edit | edit source]

Population Schedules[edit | edit source]

Starting in 1790, federal population schedules were taken every 10 years in the United States. Click here for more information about federal census records.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts entered the Union on February 6, 1788, as the sixth state. It will appear on the 1790 Census.

United States Federal Censuses with Online Links[edit | edit source]
1790 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com 		FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
NARA 		Release Date
April 1, 2032

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Additional Census Indexes and Records

Non-Population Schedules for Massachusetts[edit | edit source]

Federal non-population schedules included such things mortality schedules, agriculture schedules, slave schedules, and manufacturing schedules.

Year Type of Census Links
1890 Veterans FamilySearch

Ancestry.com ($)

1880 Defective Ancestry.com ($)
1880 Mortality Ancestry.com ($)
1880 Manufacturing Ancestry.com ($)
1880 Agriculture Ancestry.com ($)
1870 Social Statistics FamilySearch

Ancestry.com ($)

1870 Mortality FamilySearch

Ancestry.com ($)

1870 Manufacturing Ancestry.com ($)
1870 Agriculture Ancestry.com ($)
1860 Social Statistics Ancestry.com ($)
1860 Mortality FamilySearch

Ancestry.com ($)

1860 Manufacturing Ancestry.com ($)
1860 Agriculture Ancestry.com ($)
1850 Social Statistics Ancestry.com ($)
1850 Mortality FamilySearch

Ancestry.com ($)

1850 Manufacturing Ancestry.com ($)
1850 Agriculture Ancestry.com ($)
1840 Pensioners Ancestry.com ($)

Existing and Lost Censuses[edit | edit source]

Online State and Territorial Censuses[edit | edit source]

State censuses are census records that were taken at the state-level rather than at the federal. Often, but not always, a state took their census in ten year increments 5 years from when the Federal Census was taken, such as 1885. State censuses can even serve as substitutes for missing federal censuses. For more information on state censuses, visit United States Census Bureau.

Territorial censuses were taken by the federal government to count the population in federal territories. The government needed to count the population in the territory to see if it could qualify for statehood. For more information on territorial censuses, visit the US Territorial Census page.

Although Massachusetts conducted a census up to 1975, the 1855 and 1865 censuses are the only two surviving schedules.[1]

Year Type of Census Links
1865 State, all household members at FamilySearch

at Ancestry.com ($)
at American Ancestors ($)

1855 State, all household members at FamilySearch, index & images

at Ancestry.com ($)
at American Ancestors ($)

Why Use the Census?[edit | edit source]

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
  • Street or Avenue, or number Rural Free Delivery
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Color
  • Nativity
  • Place of birth of this person
  • Place of birth of Father of this person
  • Place of birth of Mother of this person
  • Period of Residence
  • How long a resident of this State (years and months)
  • How long a resident of this enumeration district (years and months)
  • Regular occupation
  • Military service


Sources and footnotes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Researching Your Family’s History at the Massachusetts Archives



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