Tennessee Census

Additional Information may be found on the United States Census Portal page.

Availability

The following censuses for Tennessee are available:

1790 and earlier: (prior to Tennessee becoming a state):

• Fulcher, Richard C. 1770–1790 Census of the Cumberland Settlements: Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee Counties (in what is now Tennessee). Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1987. (FHL book 976.8 X2f.)
• McGhee, Lucy Kate. Partial Census of 1787 to 1791 of Tennessee as Taken from the North Carolina Land Grants. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1990. (FHL films 1728882 item 4: parts 1 and 2; 1683130 item 3: part 3).

1810–1930: All Federal censuses are available for Tennessee, with the following exceptions:

                        1810: Only the Rutherford County census survived.

                        1820: Only the censuses for Middle and West Tennessee survived.

                        1890: Destroyed except for the Union veterans schedule.

A reconstructed 1890 federal census index using tax lists is at the Memphis/Shelby County Public Library. [***needs formatting]

                        Note: If no census is available, see Census Substitutes. [*** Needs to be written]

1940–present: Have not been released to the public. [*** Need link to instructions] 

Historical Background

The area now comprising Tennessee was part of North Carolina until 1790.

Indexes

If possible, use online indexes first. Use other indexes if the ancestor was not found.

Online

1810–1930: All existing federal census records for Tennessee are indexed online at www.ancestry.com ($$).

1810–1850; 1870; [***other years]: Indexed online at www.heritagequestonline.com.

Book

1810–1870, [*** More years?]: Statewide book indexes for Tennessee exist.

The books typically index only the first person listed for each household—usually the father or head of the house.

1850 and later: Index includes the first person listed in the census—usually the father or head of the house. The Index also includes the first person by any other surname listed in the household.

County indexes: Do a Place Search for for the county in the Family History Library Catalog, and choose from selections under Census.

Film

All years available at the Family History Library. Do a Place Search for Tennessee and choose from the Census options.

Soundex

There is a SOUNDEX (phonetic) index on microfilm for part of the 1880 census and all of the 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses.

The 1910 Soundex is in two parts: 1 - Cities (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville) and 2 - The rest of the state. For people living in the outlying areas of the county, but not in the city, search both indexes.

Research Aids

Maps show the many boundary changes over the years.

• Thorndale and Dollarhide’s Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790–1920. Tennessee is represented on pages 314–325.

[*** Maps -- link to an article that was prepared for census portal? Include Township Atlas, value and use of maps with census, maps of counties, of cities, etc.]

Special Censuses

Agricultural schedules

• Marshall County, Tennessee Agricultural schedule, 1857. Nashville, Tennessee: State Library and Archives (FHL film 977522). This record is arranged by districts within Marshall County and then alphabetically by surname.

Slave schedules for the 1850 and 1860 censuses list the names of slave owners but do not normally list the names of the slaves. The numbers of slaves, whether male or female, and the slaves’ age-ranges are given. Tennessee slave schedules at the Family History Library are cataloged with the population schedules.

The 1850 and 1860 mortality schedules list the names of slaves who died during the twelve months preceding 30 June 1850 and 30 June 1860.

Mortality Schedules (1850–1880). Mortality schedules list persons who died during the twelve months before the 1850–1880 federal censuses were taken. In addition to providing the same information about the deceased person that the regular census schedules provided for the living, mortality schedules also state the month, cause of death, and the number of days ill. The Tennessee State Archives has these schedules, and the Family History Library has copies:

United States. Bureau of the Census. Federal Mortality Census Schedules and Related Indexes: Tennessee; 1850–1860

Tennessee Mortality Schedules. Nashville, Tennessee: Byron Sistler and Associates, 1984. (FHL book 976.8 X2t; film 1697901 item 5.) This record covers the census years 1850–1860 and 1880 in a combined format.

Veterans Schedules: (1840 and 1890). The 1840 and 1890 federal censuses included a list of Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans, respectively. A book with the actual 1840 census information is:

• A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Service: With Their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington DC: Printed by Blair and Rives, 1841. (FHL book 973 X2pc 1840; film 1064759 item 3.)

The following indexes these veterans for all states:

A General Index to a Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Service, 1840. Baltimore, Maryland.: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1965. (FHL book 973 X2pc 1965 index; fiche 6046771; film 899835 items 1–2.)

For the 1890 census of Tennessee Union Army veterans of the Civil War, see:

• United States Census Office. 11th Census, 1890. Schedules Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M0123. Washington, DC: National Archives, 1948 (FHL films 338254–57). Some Confederate veterans are included.

For an index to the 1890 veterans schedules see:

• Jackson, Ronald Vern. Tennessee 1890 Census Index. Salt Lake City, Utah: Accelerated Indexing Systems, 1990. (FHL book 976.8 X2j 1890.)

A resource for finding Tennesseans in Texas during the 1890 Civil War Veterans census is:

• 1890 Civil War Veterans Census, Tennesseans in Texas. Evanston, Illinois: n.p., 1978. (FHL book 976.4 X2e 1890; fiche 6087374.)

 

State Censuses

At times the state, county, or city may have a census taken for various reasons. The Family History Library has copies of a few censuses taken in Tennessee:

• Reed, Sue S. Enumeration of Male Inhabitants of Twenty-one Years of Age and Upward, Citizens of Tennessee, January 1, 1891, as Provided for by an Act of General Assembly of Tennessee, Passed January 15, 1891, and Approved January 22, 1891. Houston, Texas: S.S. Reed, 1989. (FHL book 976.8 X2r 1891). Each of the eight volumes in the record is individually indexed for the counties listed. All counties not included in this work are on microfilm at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
• Memphis, Tennessee Census, 1869 (3rd Ward), 1897. Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee State Library and Archives (FHL film 375237 item 3: contains 1869, item 6: contains 1897).

Territorial Censuses

None exist, since Tennessee was included in North Carolina until 1790 and was never a territory.

Web Sites

Ancestry:  http://www.ancestry.com

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

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

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

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

Tennessee State Library and Archives: http://www.state.tn.us/tsla/

National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/

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