Ancestry Census Records: Your Path to Discovering Your Family

Have you ever been curious about where your family came from? Ancestry census records contain important portals that will take you on a journey of self discovery and is a vital tool as you begin your search. In doing my own search, I was able to discover when one line of my family first came to this country. They immigrated here from England in 1681 with William Penn.

U.S. Ancestry Census Records

The U.S. began taking and keeping census records in 1790. Every ten years since then, a census has been taken. A 72 year restriction was put in place after the 1930 census, therefore, data after 1930 is not available for searching ancestry census records. Working backwards from 1930 is the best place to start. There's a mountain of information available for the persistent seeker. Births, marriages and deaths are only part of your search. Think about church or bible registry's for instance. When it comes to finding your ancestry, any and all pages need to be turned.

Why can't you access ancestry census records after 1930?

The government releases census records 72 years after they were taken. The 1940 ancestry census records can be accessed in 2012. The 1950 census will be available in 2022. If you are willing to pay a fee and follow restrictions and requirements set down by the government, you can access 1940 and later census records by contacting the US Census Bureau Age Search Service. The current fee is $65.00 and it can change without notice. The fee will cover only one search of one census and for one person only.

What can you learn from searching the ancestry census records?

The 1930 census records is the best place to begin a search of your ancestry history. Before you can do a productive probe, you have to find building blocks to work from. Investigating ancestry census records can confirm the information you already have and allows you to figure out where to go next. A stepping stone from one generation to the next. Ancestry census records group families together and make it easier to continue your hunt into past generations. Only the head of households was named in the census records for 1790 to 1840, but related members are recorded by age and gender. From 1850 on, all family members are listed on the ancestry census records. The 1850 to 1930 ancestry census records provide the following information:

Names of family members

Ages at that particular point in time

Their country or state when born

Parents birthplace

What year they immigrated to the U.S.

Their street address

If they were married and if so, how long

What their occupation was

How much their home was worth along with personal belongings

What crops they grew, if a farmer (found in agricultural records)

Census data from 1790 to 1930 are stored at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) on microfilm except for the 1890 census which was destroyed in a Department of Commerce fire at that time. Parts of that year's census can be found by examining state records, although only bits and pieces of the 1890 ancestry census records have been found in only a few states. Exploring state ancestry census records can help fill in missing information that was destroyed in the fire if your search takes you to one of those states.

Census enumerators are the people who conduct a census and they followed detailed instructions given to them by the Bureau of the Census. Sometimes reading these instructions can help in understanding information found in the census records from a given year.

After you find a family member in any of the ancestry census records, make sure to investigate records before and after the particular census. You may find vital information or other related members you weren't looking for.

Individual State Ancestry Census Records

Some states conducted their own censuses between the government's census years. You can find records from 1885 and 1895 and may find some before or after as you search state ancestry census records. Keep your eyes open for any special censuses. Some cities may have taken an off year census and these could provide information that was lost from the 1890 government census.

The census years of 1850 to 1880, the enumerators recorded names and other information for those who had died the year before the census was taken.

Ancestry census records are only as good as the information collected by the enumerators at the time. Some information may be false or incomplete and provide leads that could take you off in the wrong direction. Sometimes people were missed completely. No ancestry census record is accurate, but it is an invaluable source to find where and when certain family members can be found that will lead you to the next part of the puzzle.

The Soundex System

Ancestry census records from 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 were done using a phonetic system that grouped surnames that sounded alike. For example: Smith, Smythe and Schmidt would be listed together instead of alphabetically. Using the soundex system, the first name would be listed alphabetical. Look for the correct head of household, then record the volume number, the enumeration district, sheet and line. This will take you to a roll of microfilm containing the information you are looking for.

How do you find ancestry census records?

The Internet has opened the door and made it easier to locate important information that can aid you in building your family tree. Ancestry census records are found on microfilm, in the National Archives and the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, UT.. They house the largest collection of records in the world. County courthouses, church documents, land titles, voters lists, historical and genealogical societies and even major universities can provide clues for you to follow. Leave no stone unturned when you've located a family name. An interesting and fun site to explore is the Ellis Island Port of New York Passenger Records Search. If you know a relative entered the United States as an immigrant, there's a good chance you can find them listed on a ship's passenger list when it docked in New York.

Exploring your ancestry census records can be time consuming and at times frustrating. Don't expect to build your family tree in one night of searching. Persistence pays off, so don't give up. Examining ancestry census records is a process of putting one more piece in the puzzle. It's also a great activity for everyone to participate in. A fun way to teach children about their family history as you discover your true self.

Finding Ancestors in the Census, Census Finder

Free Census Records and Genealogy Databases, CensusDiggins.com

Ancestors, byub.org

U.S. Census Records - The Basics, Researchguides.net