U.S. Census Population Microfilm

• Federal Census
• State Census
• Censuses Available in the University of Minnesota Libraries
• Before You Come to the Library
• Photocopy or Transcribe Census Information
• Census Indexes and the Soundex
• Locating Censuses in MNCAT

Federal Census

The federal census, mandated by the U.S. Constitution, originally was to be an enumeration of inhabitants. However, it has evolved to much more than a count of the number of people living in our country. Federal census records can be used to pinpoint the locations of family members within a state or county and to obtain information about other family members. From 1790 to 1840, the only information requested on the censuses was the name of the head of the household and the number of family members between certain ages. Beginning with the 1850 census, other family members are listed by name and age with occupations given. Some subsequent censuses list where the individual was born, where his or her parents were born, the number of years of education and even whether the individual owned or rented property. Remember that census information is only as reliable as the person giving it. It should be used to locate a person during a specific time, not as proof of any vital information.

Twenty-two U.S. censuses have been taken. For privacy reasons, the census is made available to the public 72 years after it was taken. The 1930 census was released on April 1, 2002.

The following books may be of use when using census records:

• Dollarhide, William. The Census Book: A Genealogist's Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes. North Salt Lake, Utah: Heritage Quest, 2000.
  Location: Wilson Reference quarto HA214 .D655x 1999
• Hamilton, Ann B. Researcher's Guide to United States Census Availability, 1790-1910. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1987
  Location: Wilson CS49 .H36x 1987
• Stemmons, John D. The United States Census Compendium; a directory of census records, tax lists, poll lists, petitions, directories, etc. which can be used as a census. Logan, UT: Everton Publishers, 1973
  Location: Wilson Reference quarto E180 .S74x 1973
• Thormdale, William. Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987.
  Location: Wilson Borchert Map HA217. T46x 1987

State Censuses

Many states, Minnesota included, conducted their own censuses during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Check with the historical society of the state you are researching to determine whether state censuses are available. These censuses are especially useful during the 1880-1900 time period. The federal census for 1890 was destroyed, so there is a 20 year period between available U.S. censuses. Families can move several times during a twenty year period.

The following book may be helpful in determining whether the state you are researching conducted state censuses:

• Library of Congress. Census Library Project. State Censuses: an annotated bibliography of censuses of population taken after the year 1790 by states and territories of the United States. Washington: U.S. Govt. Printing Office, 1948.
  Location: Wilson Gov Pub (US Docs) C 3.2: ST 2/7/ 1790-1948

Minnesota State Census

Minnesota conducted censuses in 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905. A few Minnesota state census reels are available in Wilson Periodicals. The Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, Minn. holds the complete set of Minnesota State census reels. Be warned, not all state censuses have indexes.

Censuses Available in the University of Minnesota Libraries

Federal Censuses

The University Libraries owns the Minnesota reels for all the U.S. census, except the 1890. Over the next few years, the University of Minnesota Libraries will receive microfilmed copies of several of the U.S. decennial censuses for all the states(1860 to 1920, except 1890). These will be a gift from the Minnesota Population Center, which obtained the microfilm for a major research grant.

With few exceptions, the U of M Libraries will not have indexes to censuses, either in book form or Soundex microfilm. One exception is: Minnesota 1870 Census Index, A-Z, (Raeone Christensen Steuart, ed. Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 2000) located in Wilson Reference quarto F605 .M56x 2000. An every-name index of persons found in the 1870 U.S. Census of Minnesota only.

The census reels are located in the Periodical Room, Wilson basement level. Look for the sign that reads Census Schedule Microfilm. Locate the microfilm reel you need and use the microfilm reader/printers found in the same area.

Scheduled Arrival of U.S. Census Microfilm in Wilson Library

State Census

The guide to this collection is Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905 (no index of personal names) Location: Wilson Gov Pub (Reference) (Non-Circulating) HA452 1905 Index.

Wilson Library holds scattered reels of Minnesota State Census reels. It is possible this collection will move to the same area as the U.S. Census Schedule Microfilm. Check with Government Publications Reference. The reels include:

• 1885
  5 reels: # 511 for Polk County, # 512-513 for Ramsey County [these 3 reels
  are Mfilm 2494 in Periodicals room], and Reels 20 and 43 for Mille Lacs County
• 1895
  12 reels: # 76 for Mille Lacs County and # 612-622 for Ramsey County
• 1905
  57 reels: #673-737 (numbering not continuous)

Before You Come to the Library

You should know, before you come to the U of M Libraries, which microfilm reels you want to examine. To do this, use the Federal Population Censuses Catalogs of National Archives and Records Administration Microfilm. This is also available in most public libraries.

1870 U.S. Census (9th U.S. Census)

The census reels are located in the Periodical Room, Wilson basement level. Look for the sign that reads Census Schedule Microfilm. Go to the Federal Population Censuses Catalogs Web site for the 1870 census.

• find the state you are researching within the list
• find the county within the state
• the number to the left of the county name is the microfilm reel you will use. If you haven't been able to use an index to the census, you will have to look at all the names in the county. This can take quite a bit of time, especially for densely populated counties
• if you know the Enumeration District (ED) in which your individuals lived, go directly to that section and search for your individuals

1920 U.S. Census (14th U.S. Census)

The census reels are located in the Periodical Room, Wilson basement level. Look for the sign that reads Census Schedule Microfilm. Go to the Federal Population Censuses Catalogs Web site for the 1920 census.

• choose the link to the Schedule for the state you are interested in (not Soundex)
• find the state within the list
• find the county within the state
• the number to the left of the county name is the microfilm reel you will use. If you haven't been able to use an index to the census, you will have to look at all the names in the county. This can take quite a bit of time, especially for densely populated counties
• if you know the Enumeration District (ED) in which your individuals lived, go directly to that section and search for your individuals

Photocopy or Transcribe Census Information

Microfilm Reader/Printers are available in the Census Microfilm area in Wilson Library. You can obtain a printer card from Wilson Library Photocopy Service, basement level. Be sure to check the hours of the service and prices at their Web site. The card may be saved and used on subsequent visits to the library.

Census abstracts are forms that can be used to transcribe information found in census microfilm. They allow you to transcribe information from the census records in an organized way, helping ensure that you don't miss any important information. Free abstract forms can be downloaded from:

• Genealogy.com
• FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service of the LDS Church

Census Indexes and the Soundex

Census indexes may be found in local and regional historical societies and libraries. There are several sources you can use to obtain indexes for U.S. census, including ordering index microfilm reels through your public library, purchasing or renting them from a provider such as Heritage Quest (http://www.heritagequest.com/) or subscribing to a service like Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com/). Indexes to censuses may also be ordered through the Family History Centers run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons).

Beginning with the 1880 census, the censuses are indexed by the Soundex system. This system, and the related Soundmaster and Miracode systems, is a means of accessing individual census records using letter sounds rather than by straight alphabetical order. In this system, letters with similar sounds are given a code number. This enables one to find an individual even if the spelling of the surname has changed over time.

The codes are:

Examples:

Tip: To find your own Soundex code, look at your Minnesota driver's license. The beginning of your license number is your Soundex code.

Locating Censuses in MNCAT

All publications from or about a particular census, including microfilm sets, can be located in MNCAT by subject. Use the following format:

united states--census, 1st, 1790
united states--census, 9th (if you leave off the date, the catalog will fill it in)
minnesota--census, 1895

For additional information on the U.S. Census, go to Cyndi's List: U.S. Census. This site has links to the various census transcription projects across the country. An excellent place to start looking for online census data, some of which is available without charge.

Page comments: Janet M. Roseen