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    • Main contributor: Thomas MacEntee
    United States Federal Census Population Schedule
    United States Federal Census Population Schedule

    The United States Federal Census is conducted every ten years, as decreed by the United States Constitution, and represents a count of all residents in addition to gathering other information. The information gathered is recorded on a series of "schedules" that have proven useful for genealogical research.

    Most genealogists use the Population Schedules which has been created in every United States Federal Census since 1790. However, an assortment of different schedules were used in subsequent censuses covering agriculture, business, health, manufacturing, military, and mortality.

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    Population schedules

    The United States Federal Census Population schedules are detailed records collected during each United States Census, starting from 1790. While the United States Constitution decreed that the census consist of a "headcount" of "residents," the types of data collected in each census have increased since the first census. The Non-Population schedules provide individual-level data on the population, including information such as:

    • Name: Usually the head of household listed first, followed by other family members and non-family members residing in the home.
    • Age: Age of each person.
    • Sex: Gender of each person.
    • Race: Race or ethnicity.
    • Relationship: Indicates the relationship of each person to the head of the household.
    • Marital Status: Indicates whether the person is single, married, widowed, or divorced.
    • Birthplace: State or country of birth.
    • Education: Literacy and education completion level.
    • Citizenship: Immigration status and naturalization details.
    • Occupation: Job or profession of each individual.

    All data entered is "as of the Census Day" which is a date mandated for enumeration by the United States Congress for each census.

    Non-Population schedules

    United State Federal Census Non-Population Schdule - 1860 Slave Schedule
    United State Federal Census Non-Population Schedule - 1860 Slave Schedule

    The United States Federal Census Non-Population schedules are a collection of records compiled alongside the standard population census to collect various types of data about the country during each census year. These schedules were primarily used in the 19th and early 20th centuries and offer a detailed view of the economic and agricultural aspects of life in the United States during those times. Non-Population schedules are valuable for researchers:

    • Economic History: They reveal the scale and types of industries and agriculture across different regions and periods.
    • Social History: They illuminate conditions faced by marginalized groups, educational levels, and the prevalence of illnesses.
    • Family History: These schedules can add context to family histories, showing occupations, farm holdings, or even causes of death for ancestors

    There are several types of Non-Population schedules, including:

    • Agriculture schedules: These documents contain information about farms, including the names of the owners, agents, or managers; the acreage; the value of the farm and its equipment; and detailed data on crops, livestock, and products. They were conducted from 1850 to 1880.
    • Industry schedules: These schedules, conducted from 1850 to 1880, collected data on various types of businesses and industries, excluding those in agriculture. They included information on the type of business, amount of capital invested, kinds of raw materials used, quantity and value of products, and the number of employees.
    • Mortality schedules: Compiled for the census years 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880, mortality schedules list individuals who died in the year preceding the census. They provide information such as the deceased's name, age, sex, race, marital status, place of birth, month of death, occupation, and cause of death.
    • Social Statistics schedules: These records, available for the census years 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880, include data on schools, libraries, newspapers, churches, poverty, and crime.
    • Manufacturing schedules: Similar to the Industry Schedules, these were conducted in various years and focused on gathering detailed information about manufacturing establishments, their output, and employment.
    • Slave schedules: In the 1850 and 1860 United States Census, separate schedules were used to record information about enslaved individuals. These schedules listed the age, sex, and color of slaves but did not typically include names.
    • Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes Schedule (1880): This unique schedule conducted as part of the 1880 United States Census recorded information about individuals considered "defective, dependent, or delinquent." This includes data on the insane, deaf, blind, homeless children, paupers, and prisoners.
    • 1890 Veterans Schedule: A special enumeration conducted as part of the 1890 United States Census. This schedule specifically aimed to collect information about Union veterans of the Civil War and their widows. The main purpose was to document and provide benefits for these veterans. Data collected includes names of the veterans or their widows, rank, company and regiment or vessel, dates of enlistment and discharge, length of service, and disability incurred. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the 1890 Census records, including the Veterans Schedule, was destroyed in a fire in 1921. However, some fragments of the Veterans Schedule have survived and are available for research, particularly for certain states and counties.
    • 1935 Census of Business Rolls List: Conducted to gather information about businesses operating at the time. The rolls list typically includes detailed data on various business sectors, such as retail trade, wholesale trade, service industries, and construction. Data collected includes number of establishments, type of business, geographic location, sales volume, and employment numbers.

    Accessing United States Census schedules

    Public access to the United States Census schedules is restricted due to the current "72 year" privacy law[1] established by the United State Congress. Access is restricted until 72 years after the Census Day for each census. Example: the records for the 1950 United States Census were released on April 1, 2022 which was 72 years after the census day of April 1, 1950.

    Not all United States Census records have been preserved, with several being damaged or lost. Most notably the 1890 United States Census records were lost in a fire in 1921. All surviving records have been digitized by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and are available for public use on various platforms, including MyHeritage.

    Searching United States Census schedules

    Here are some tips on how to locate ancestors in the various United States Census schedules:

    • Use an ancestor's name, approximate birth year, and possible locations as initial search terms.
    • Go "broad" on initial searches then "narrow" down the search if needed using other identifiers such as an address, relationship, etc.
    • Be flexible with names: Account for variations in spelling, nicknames, and initials.
    • Access the site's collection catalog and manually browse through images.
    • Narrow down location from national, to state/province, to city/town/village.
    • Understand common abbreviations and terms used in census schedules.
    • Locate Enumeration District maps to pinpoint an ancestor's exact location.

    Extracting information from United States Census schedules

    Here are some tips on how to use the information locate ancestors in the various United States Census schedules:

    • Identify family groups and trace families across census years and schedules.
    • Look for family or household members who "disappear" between censuses. Determine a reason for the disappearance such as death, looking for work, etc.
    • Review relationships. Due to enumeration instructions, a person listed as a "boarder," "roomer," or "lodger," may actually be related to the head of household.
    • Use information on non-population schedules to create a fuller profile of family members.
    • Cross-reference data from schedules with other records (birth, marriage, death, immigration, land records).
    • Employ F.A.N. club search strategies to look for connections to a family's community.

    See also

    Explore more about US Federal Census Schedules

    References

    1. ↑ Public Law No. 95-416, 92 Stat. 915 (1978)


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