United States Census

This article is about censuses of the United States. For other uses, see Census (disambiguation).

For details about federal censuses see United States Federal Census .

See also Beginning Census Research and Record Keeping in the FamilySearch Learning Center.

US Census
Topics
Accuracy Analyzing/Using Data Availability Blank Forms Historical Background Indexes Maps Online Censuses Registers at the FS Library Searching Soundex Census Substitutes Abbreviations and codes
Non-Population Federal Schedules
Agriculture Schedules Defective Schedules Indian Schedules Institutions Manufacturing or Industrial Schedules Merchant Seamen Military / Naval Forces Mortality Schedules Slave Schedules Social Statistics Schedules Veterans Schedules
U.S. Census Types
Colonial Censuses Federal Censuses Indian Census Rolls School Censuses State Censuses Territorial Censuses
Substitute Records
Directories Maps (especially plat and insurance maps) Taxation Voting Records

Key U.S. Census Internet Links

Record Search free indexes & images 1850-1920
U.S. Census Online Internet links
U.S. Census Bureau Free images of 1790 census for 12 states
Ancestry.com ($) indexes & images 1790-1930
HeritageQuest ($) images 1790-1930 + a few indexes
Fold3.com ($) index & images 1860 and 1930
Cyndi's List - United States - U.S. Census free index of links

Value of Censuses

A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city. Census lists are also called “schedules." In the United States a nationwide census has been taken every ten years since 1790. A well-indexed census is one of the easiest ways to locate where an ancestor lived and when they lived there. You can also use censuses to: