annieap
January 4th, 2004, 02:22 PM
The first Federal Census of the United Sates was taken in 1790, just three years after being mandated by our Constitution. One of the main purposes of the census was to gather information on men eligible for the military. States that were included on the first census were; Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia. These 17 states had a population of 3,231,533. Not included in the census were slaves and untaxed Indians. Census records for 1790 are rare as the British in the War of 1812 destroyed most.
Let us look at what information can be gained from the census records beginning in 1850. Provided is the dwelling number and family number, name, age, sex, color, occupation and birthplace for each person living in the household. Other information includes whether person could read or write; the value of real estate; whether person was married within the year; school attendance within the year, and whether person was a pauper or convict. The enumeration date appears on every page of the census. The 1860 census includes all the information of the 1850 census and includes value of personal property.
Included on the census for the first time, the 1870 census asks whether a person's father and mother were foreign born, along with the birth month of infants born within the census year.
The 1880 census added several items of information, which are a delight for genealogists. We can learn the actual birthplace of parents, marital statues of all persons in household (single, married, widowed, divorced), and how each person in the household is related to the head of house. Good stuff, huh?
The eleventh federal census was taken in 1890. It was completely destroyed by fire.
Thirty questions were asked on the 1900 census. Those questions are: race; birth month & year; number of years married; number of children mother has given birth to; number of those children living; place of birth; parents' place of birth; citizenship; year of immigration & number of years in U.S.; citizenship status; can read, write & speak English; ownership of home or farm.
The 1910 asks whether a veteran of the Civil War and is the person blind, deaf or idiotic.
Due to a 72-year privacy law, the most recent census available to the public is the one taken in 1930. It became available to the public in 2002.
Let us look at what information can be gained from the census records beginning in 1850. Provided is the dwelling number and family number, name, age, sex, color, occupation and birthplace for each person living in the household. Other information includes whether person could read or write; the value of real estate; whether person was married within the year; school attendance within the year, and whether person was a pauper or convict. The enumeration date appears on every page of the census. The 1860 census includes all the information of the 1850 census and includes value of personal property.
Included on the census for the first time, the 1870 census asks whether a person's father and mother were foreign born, along with the birth month of infants born within the census year.
The 1880 census added several items of information, which are a delight for genealogists. We can learn the actual birthplace of parents, marital statues of all persons in household (single, married, widowed, divorced), and how each person in the household is related to the head of house. Good stuff, huh?
The eleventh federal census was taken in 1890. It was completely destroyed by fire.
Thirty questions were asked on the 1900 census. Those questions are: race; birth month & year; number of years married; number of children mother has given birth to; number of those children living; place of birth; parents' place of birth; citizenship; year of immigration & number of years in U.S.; citizenship status; can read, write & speak English; ownership of home or farm.
The 1910 asks whether a veteran of the Civil War and is the person blind, deaf or idiotic.
Due to a 72-year privacy law, the most recent census available to the public is the one taken in 1930. It became available to the public in 2002.