United States Census Indexes: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[United States Census|U.S. Census ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[United_States_Census_Indexes|Indexes]]''
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| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Census|U.S. Census]]
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| link5=[[United States Census Indexes|Indexes]]
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== Availability  ==
== Availability  ==
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=== Online  ===
=== Online  ===


*[http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start '''Record Search'''], a rapidly expanding set of free online indexes and document images, including many United States federal and state censuses; part of FamilySearch.  
*'''[https://familysearch.org/search/#form=historical_records Historical Records] '''at FamilySearch.org''' ''' has a rapidly expanding set of free online indexes and document images, including many United States federal and state censuses.  
*[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=census/search_census.asp '''FamilySearch'''], a free online service of the [[Family History Library]], including an index of the 1880 federal census of the United States; connected with 1880 census images provided by Ancestry.com, a subscription site.  
*[https://familysearch.org/search/#form=historical_records '''FamilySearch'''] is a free online service of the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library], including an index of the 1880 federal census of the United States; connected with 1880 census images provided by Ancestry.com,($) a subscription site.  
*[http://www.lib.byu.edu/fhc/index.php '''BYU Family History Archives'''] provides free online digital images of family history books and a few census indexes from participating institutions such as [[Brigham Young University Harold B. Lee Library|Brigham Young University Library]], [[Allen County Public Library]], or the [[Family History Library]].  
*[http://www.lib.byu.edu/fhc/index.php '''BYU Family History Archives'''] provides free online digital images of family history books and a few census indexes from participating institutions such as [[Brigham Young University Harold B. Lee Library|Brigham Young University Library]], [[Allen County Public Library]], or the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library].  
*The [http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/1790.htm '''U.S. Census Bureau'''] published twelve 1790 census indexes which are now online for free as .pdf files.  
*The [https://www.census.gov/library/publications/1907/dec/heads-of-families.html '''U.S. Census Bureau'''] published twelve 1790 census indexes which are now online for free as .pdf files.  
*[http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/census/search/basic '''HeritageQuest'''] has arranged with many [http://www.eogen.com/HeritageQuestOnline subscribing public libraries] in the United States to allow users free access on home computers by means of their personal library card numbers. HeritageQuest provides images of all surviving 1790 to 1930 federal censuses, and indexes to many but not all of them.  
*[https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/HeritageQuest-Online/ '''HeritageQuest'''] has arranged with many public libraries in the United States to allow users free access on home computers by means of their personal library card numbers. HeritageQuest provides images of all surviving 1790 to 1930 federal censuses, and indexes to many but not all of them.  
*[http://www.footnote.com '''Footnote.com'''], a subscription site partnering with the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]] and includes many federal censuses. Free access is available at many public libraries. New censuses are added frequently.  
*'''[http://www.footnote.com Footnote.com]($)''' is a subscription site partnering with the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]] and includes many federal censuses. Free access is available at many public libraries. New censuses are added frequently.  
*'''Ancestry.com''', a subscription site that provides online indexes and images to all surviving federal and many state census records, among other sources. They have three online editions: (1) an [http://www.ancestryinstitution.com/ FHL edition] free only at the Family History Library and a few Family History Centers, (2) a [http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2009/03/23/WhatsNOTInAncestryLibraryEdition.aspx slightly smaller] [http://www.ancestrylibrary.com/ Library edition] free only at some public libraries, and (3) a [http://www.ancestry.com/ Home edition] subscription service for individuals.
*'''Ancestry.com''',($) is a subscription site that provides online indexes and images to all surviving federal and many state census records, among other sources. They have three online editions: (1) an [http://www.ancestry.com/ FS Library edition] free only at the FamilySearch Library and a few FamilySearch Centers, (2) a [http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2009/03/23/WhatsNOTInAncestryLibraryEdition.aspx slightly smaller] [http://www.ancestrylibrary.com/ Library edition] free only at some public libraries, and (3) a [http://www.ancestry.com/ Home edition] subscription service for individuals.


=== Microfiche and Microfilms  ===
=== Microfiche and Microfilms  ===


*[[Accelerated Indexing Systems U.S. Census Indexes (on Microfiche)]] describes the AIS microfiche census indexes for the years 1790 to 1900, with some added years for selected state censuses. This set of microfiche is available at larger genealogical libraries.  
*[[Accelerated Indexing Systems U.S. Census Indexes (on Microfiche)]] describes the AIS microfiche census indexes for the years 1790 to 1900, with some added years for selected state censuses. This set of microfiche is available at larger genealogical libraries.  
*[[Soundex]] indexes are available on microfilm for many states for the census years 1880 (families with children under age 10 only), 1900, 1910 (not all states), and 1920 (not all states). These Soundex microfilms are availabe where ever the population schedule microfilms are available.
*[[Soundex]] indexes are available on microfilm for many states for the census years 1880 (families with children under age 10 only), 1900, 1910 (not all states), and 1920 (not all states). These Soundex microfilms are available where ever the population schedule microfilms are available.


=== Books and Periodicals  ===
=== Books and Periodicals  ===


*Book indexes to census records are available at most genealogical repositories. The databases used to print these books are now mostly available online as part of [http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/default.aspx?rt=35 Ancestry.com ]or [http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/census/search/basic HeritageQuest].  
*Book indexes to census records are available at most genealogical repositories. The databases used to print these books are now mostly available online as part of [http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/default.aspx?rt=35 Ancestry] ($) or [https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/HeritageQuest-Online/ HeritageQuest].  
*Genealogical periodicals often publish extracts of local censuses. Most of these can be located by using the [[Periodical Source Index (PERSI)|Periodical Source Index (PERSI)]]. The periodicals are available at larger genealogical repositories. The [[Periodical Source Index (PERSI)|Periodical Source Index]] is available online at [http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/persi HeritageQuest] and [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3165 Ancestry.com].
*Genealogical periodicals often publish extracts of local censuses. Most of these can be located by using the [[Periodical Source Index (PERSI)]]. The periodicals are available at larger genealogical repositories. PERSI is available online at [https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/ ACPL].


== '''Index Accuracy'''  ==
== Index Accuracy ==


Indexes normally help to find about 93 to 98 percent of the names in a census. But sometimes a name is misspelled so much the index user cannot find the name. Do not give up if the first index search fails to find the name you seek. Use the tips in he Wiki page [[United States Census Searching]] to find elusive names of ancestors.<br>  
Indexes normally help to find about 93 to 98 percent of the names in a census. But sometimes a name is misspelled so much the index user cannot find the name. Do not give up if the first index search fails to find the name you seek. Use the tips in he Wiki page [[United States Census Searching]] to find elusive names of ancestors.<br>  
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If you have reason to believe your ancestor should have been in the census, search the census regardless of the information in the index. In large cities, learn the person's address by searching the city directory. for the same year as the census (see [[United States Directories]]). Then look for that address on the original census schedules starting in 1880. Prior to 1880 it may be helpful to learn the ward where a person resided.  
If you have reason to believe your ancestor should have been in the census, search the census regardless of the information in the index. In large cities, learn the person's address by searching the city directory. for the same year as the census (see [[United States Directories]]). Then look for that address on the original census schedules starting in 1880. Prior to 1880 it may be helpful to learn the ward where a person resided.  


== '''Related Content''' ==
== Related Content  ==


*[[United States Census Searching|Searching]]  
*[[United States Census Searching|Searching]]  
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{{USCensus}}  
{{USCensus}}  


[[Category:United_States_Census]]
[[Category:United_States_Census Online]]

Latest revision as of 20:58, 26 April 2024


Availability

Online

  • Historical Records at FamilySearch.org has a rapidly expanding set of free online indexes and document images, including many United States federal and state censuses.
  • FamilySearch is a free online service of the FamilySearch Library, including an index of the 1880 federal census of the United States; connected with 1880 census images provided by Ancestry.com,($) a subscription site.
  • BYU Family History Archives provides free online digital images of family history books and a few census indexes from participating institutions such as Brigham Young University Library, Allen County Public Library, or the FamilySearch Library.
  • The U.S. Census Bureau published twelve 1790 census indexes which are now online for free as .pdf files.
  • HeritageQuest has arranged with many public libraries in the United States to allow users free access on home computers by means of their personal library card numbers. HeritageQuest provides images of all surviving 1790 to 1930 federal censuses, and indexes to many but not all of them.
  • Footnote.com($) is a subscription site partnering with the National Archives and includes many federal censuses. Free access is available at many public libraries. New censuses are added frequently.
  • Ancestry.com,($) is a subscription site that provides online indexes and images to all surviving federal and many state census records, among other sources. They have three online editions: (1) an FS Library edition free only at the FamilySearch Library and a few FamilySearch Centers, (2) a slightly smaller Library edition free only at some public libraries, and (3) a Home edition subscription service for individuals.

Microfiche and Microfilms

  • Accelerated Indexing Systems U.S. Census Indexes (on Microfiche) describes the AIS microfiche census indexes for the years 1790 to 1900, with some added years for selected state censuses. This set of microfiche is available at larger genealogical libraries.
  • Soundex indexes are available on microfilm for many states for the census years 1880 (families with children under age 10 only), 1900, 1910 (not all states), and 1920 (not all states). These Soundex microfilms are available where ever the population schedule microfilms are available.

Books and Periodicals

  • Book indexes to census records are available at most genealogical repositories. The databases used to print these books are now mostly available online as part of Ancestry ($) or HeritageQuest.
  • Genealogical periodicals often publish extracts of local censuses. Most of these can be located by using the Periodical Source Index (PERSI). The periodicals are available at larger genealogical repositories. PERSI is available online at ACPL.

Index Accuracy

Indexes normally help to find about 93 to 98 percent of the names in a census. But sometimes a name is misspelled so much the index user cannot find the name. Do not give up if the first index search fails to find the name you seek. Use the tips in he Wiki page United States Census Searching to find elusive names of ancestors.

If you have reason to believe your ancestor should have been in the census, search the census regardless of the information in the index. In large cities, learn the person's address by searching the city directory. for the same year as the census (see United States Directories). Then look for that address on the original census schedules starting in 1880. Prior to 1880 it may be helpful to learn the ward where a person resided.

Related Content