Originally published by the Government Printing Office, and reprinted by Heritage Quest, 200 Years of U.S. Census Taking: Population and Housing Questions, 1790–1990 was produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. In 1979 a report was issued under the title, Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions, 1790–1980. The report was designed to provide both statistical data as well as answer questions about how the population and housing inquiries evolved over the years, as well as what instructions were given that led to the entries placed on the basic records.
The 1979 edition was specifically aimed at “not only the data user but also the social researcher, historian, genealogist, or interested member of the public”. This book follow suit in design and purpose. Schedules and questionnaires used in the general population were often supplemented for specific sub groups; for example, military personal, transients, and some outlying areas. These supplemental questionnaires are not included in this book, but were often just a partial set of questions asked of the general population.
In addition to the list of questions and instructions provided for each census, this manual provides an historical background to the census. Decade by decade, the reader can see how questions changed. Putting the questions and instructions used to fill the columns in census records adds both interest as well as adding greater meaning to the data. This book is filled with images showing each of the schedules as they originally appeared, along with an explanation of the physical appearance of the original document. For example, the 1930 Population Schedule was “23 3/4″ x 18 1/2”, printed on two sides, space for 40 entries on each side plus two additional lines for the 5-percent sample questions; reverse side was identical except that lines were numbered 41 to 80, and the sample-line numbers were different.). The 1930 census had 41 columns and is shown in the book broken across five pages, making it visually large enough to read and identify column headers.
There are many great books on the market to help researchers better understand and read census records. This book doesn’t teach the genealogist how to use census records, but rather has its value in providing all the questions asked in each census. See the table of contents below for a all the included schedules.
Table of Contents
Preface
Historical Background
- The 1790 Census
- Into the 19th Century
- Census Expansion
- Moving into the 20th Century
- Sampling
- New inquiries
- New Direction
- Processing
- Collecting the data
- Publishing
Availability of Population Schedules
- Limitations
- Confidentiality
- Microfilm
- Finding Guides
- The 1840 Census
- The 1885 Census
- The 1890 Records
Availability of Mortality Schedules
Principal Data Collection Forms, 1790–1990
- 1790. General Population Schedule
- 1800. General Population Schedule
- 1810. General Population Schedule
- 1820. General Population Schedule
- 1830. Schedule of Whole Number of Persons
- 1840. Schedule of Whole Number of Persons
- 1850. Schedule 1—Free Inhabitants
- Schedule 2—Slave Inhabitants
- 1860. Schedule 1—Free Inhabitants
- Schedule 2—Slave Inhabitants
- 1870. Schedule 1—Inhabitants
- 1850. Schedule 1—Inhabitants
- Indian Division…Schedule No. 1—Population
- 1890. Schedule No. 1—Population and Social Statistics
- Special Schedule—Surviving Soldiers….etc.
- 1900. Schedule No. 1—Population
- Special Schedule No. 1—Inquiries Relating to Indians
- 1910. Population
- 1920. Population
- 1930. Populations Schedule
- Unemployment Schedule
- Supplemental Schedule for Indian Population
- 1940. Population Schedule
- Confidential Report on Wage or Salary Income, 1939
- Vacant-Swelling Schedule
- 1950. Population Schedule
- Housing Schedule
- 1960. Population Inquiries
- Housing Inquiries
- 1970. Population Inquiries
- Housing Inquiries
- 1980. Population Inquiries
- Supplementary Questionnaire for Indian Reservations
- Housing Inquiries
- 1990. Population Inquiries
- Supplementary Questionnaire for Indian Reservations
- Housing Inquiries
Bibliography
For further information
Order a copy of 200 Years of U.S. Census Taking: Population and Housing Questions, 1790–1990 from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: A0130, Price: $9.75.