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SUMMIT COUNTY CHAPTER
of the Ohio Genealogical Society P O Box 2232 Akron OH 44309-2232 e-mail: SummitOGS@acorn.net |
|
SUMMIT COUNTY CHAPTER
of the Ohio Genealogical Society P O Box 2232 Akron OH 44309-2232 e-mail: SummitOGS@acorn.net |
Census Information
This file is primarily about the availability of Federal Census data. See MICROFILM HOLDINGS under the Akron-Summit County Library menu for microfilm available at the library..=====================================================================
The U. S. population census records contain a wealth of information about people. They are useful in learning about one's ancestors and about local social and economic conditions at various
times in history. For more recent years, especially, they are official documents for persons who need to prove their age (in the absence of a birth certificate), relationship, citizenship, residence,
and other facts in order to qualify for pensions; get jobs, naturalization papers, passports or insurance policies; establish an inheritance; or trace ancestry.There was a population census taken in 1790 and every 10th year after that. Several paragraphs later the items listed in the existing records for each year are covered. The Bureau of the Census publication, "Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions, 1790-
1980" (Washington, D.C., 1979),* shows the specific questions and the way they appear on the schedules.Census Schedules Available To Public
Microfilm copies of the original population schedules, from 1790 through 1910, (Virtually all of the 1890 records were destroyed by fire in 1921.) are open to the public at the National Archives and its regional centers (see later section for addresses and phone numbers) and at many libraries in various parts of the United States.(See Federal Population and Mortality Schedules 1790-1910, in the National Archives and the States (1983, available from Archives Publications, which also sells the microfilm rolls). Most now have facilities for making paper copies from the microfilm.
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See MICROFILM COLLECTIONS under the Akron-Summit County Library for census microfilm available at the library. The Western Reserve Historical Society has most census microfilm for all states. Libraries, including Akron, can order film from the National Archives.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Researchers looking for specific names in the 1790 census should refer to the Bureau of the Census publication, "Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year
1790" (12 vols., Washington, D.C., 1907-08, reprinted 1965-75) which can be found in most major libraries. There are Soundex indexes on microfilm for 1880 and 1900 census for each state and for 1910 for 21 states, principally in the South. Local indexes to many of the 1800-1870 censuses are available in genealogical collections. Some actual census schedules also are on line or for sale on CD-ROM.A number of State and Territorial censuses were taken in the intradecennial years, particularly in the 19th century. These are described by Henry J. Dubester in "State Censuses: An Annotated
Bibliography of Census Taken After the Year 1790, by States and Territories of the United States" (Washington, D.C. 1948, reprinted 1969 and 1975). An appendix in that book provides information on the location of the existing records, many of which can be obtained commercially on microfiche. Some contain names.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
State censuses for Ohio counties and where they are kept are described briefly by Carol Willsey Bell in her "Ohio Genealogical Guide." (Youngstown: Bell Books, 1987)
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Access To Closed Records
As individuals records from the population censuses are confidential for 72 years, by law, those from 1920 on are not yet open to the public. Details from them can be released, however, in the form of official transcripts, to the named persons, their heirs, or legal representatives. (Census information is collected for statistical purposes only and therefore is exempt from the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974.)
The Census Bureau maintains files from 1900-1980 at its Pittsburg, Kansas facility for search and transcription only by its own employees. There is a fee for this service. Application forms
(and Assistance in completing them) may be obtained from the following:Personal Services Branch Census History Staff, DUSD
Bureau of the Census Bureau of the Census
Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 Washington, D.C. 20233
(316) 231-7100 9301) 763-7936Census Bureau regional offices
Department of Commerce district offices
Many post offices also have blanks.A transcript is an exact copy of the data as reported in the original schedule according to a particular census and may show the following: census year, county and state where taken, name,
relationship to the named householder, age, place of birth (state or county only), and, if requested, citizenship, race, and occupation.For 1900, 1970 and 1980 censuses, month and year of birth are included with the age, and for 1960, the year and quarter of year are shown. A full schedule transcript, showing all of the information collected for one individual in a given census can be ordered at extra cost.The records are organized geographically, rather than by name, so expect for those censuses that have indexes, addresses are necessary to find them. Thus, the Bureau's files cannot be used to locate missing persons, to furnish addresses (prohibited by law in any case), or even to indicate how many people have the same surname.
A useful reference manual, "Age Search Information" (Washington., D.C. 1981),* describes the Bureau's service as well as other Federal individual record sources.
Histories
The standard authority on early censuses is by Carroll D. Wright and William C. Hunt, "History and Growth of the United States Census" (1790-1890) (Wash., D.C., 1900). Histories were published for the 1950, 1960, and 1970 Censuses of Population and Housing; many libraries have copies of these. Volumes on the 1980 census and those between 1910 and 1940 are in preparation; meanwhile, information about them can be obtained from the Census History Staff (see above) as well as answers to questions of a historical nature not covered in these
sources.
POPULATION CENSUS ITEMS
1790-1980
(Includes only those supplemental schedules still in existence; excludes questions asked on a sample basis only).1790 - Name of family head; free white males of 16 years and up, free white males under 16; free white females; salves; other persons.
1800 - Name of family head; if white, age and sex; race; slaves.
1810 - Name of family head; if white, age and sex; race; slaves.
1820 - Name of family head; age; sex; race; foreigners not naturalized; salves; industry (agriculture, commerce, manufactures).
1830 - Name of family head; age; sex; race; slaves; deaf and dumb; blind; foreigners not naturalized.
1840 - Name of family head; age; sex; race; slaves; number of deaf and dumb; number of blind; number of insane and idiotic and whether in public or private charge; number of persons in each family employed in each of six classes of industry and one of occupancy; literacy; pensioners for Revolutionary or military service.
1850 - Name; age; sex; race; whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic; value of real estate; occupation; birthplace; whether married within the year; school attendance; literacy; whether a pauper or convict. Supplemental schedules for slaves, and persons who died during the year.
1860 - Name; age; sex; race; value of real estate; value of personal estate; occupation; birthplace; whether married within the year; school attendance; literacy; whether deaf and dumb; blind, insane,
idiotic, pauper, or convict; numbers of slave houses. Supplemental schedules for slaves, and persons who died during the year.1870 - Name; age; race; occupation; value of real estate; value of personal estate; birthplace; whether parents were foreign born; month of birth if born within the year; month of marriage if married within the year; school attendance; literacy; whether deaf and dumb, insane, or idiotic; male citizens 21 and over, and number of such persons denied the right to vote for other than rebellion. Supplemental schedule for persons who died during the year.
1880 - Address; name; relationship to family head; sex; race; age; marital status; month of birth if born within the census year; occupation; months unemployed during the year,; sickness or temporary disability; whether blind, deaf and dumb, idiotic, insane, maimed,
crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled; school attendance; literacy; birthplace of person and parents. Supplemental schedule for persons who died during the year.1890 - General schedules--destroyed. Supplemental schedules for Union veterans of the Civil War and their widows.
1900 - Address; name; relationship to family head; sex; race; age; marital status; number of years married; for women, number of children born and number now living; birthplace of person and parents; if foreign born, year of immigration and whether naturalized; occupation;
months not employed; school attendance; literacy; ability to speak English; whether on a farm; home owned or rented and if owned, whether mortgaged.1910 - Address; name; relationship to family head; sex; race; age;marital status; number of years of present marriage; for women, number of children born and number now living; birthplace and mother tongue of person and parents; if foreign born, year of immigration, whether naturalized, and whether able to speak English, or if not, language spoken; occupation, industry, and class of worker; if an employee, whether out of work during year; literacy; school attendance; home owned or rented; if owned, whether mortgaged; whether farm or house; whether a survivor of Union or Confederate Army or Navy; whether blind or deaf and dumb.
1920 - Address; name; relationship to family head; sex; race; age; marital status; if foreign born, year of immigration to the U.S., whether naturalization; and year of naturalization; school attendance;
literacy; birthplace of person and parents; mother tongue of foreign born; ability to speak English; occupation, industry, and class of worker; home owned or rented; if owned, whether free or mortgaged.1930 - Address; name; relationship to family head; home owned or\rented; value or monthly rental; radio set; whether on a farm; sex; race; age; marital status; age at first marriage; school attendance;
literacy; birthplace of person and parents; if foreign born, language spoken in home before coming to U.S., year of immigration, whether naturalized, and ability to speak English; occupation, industry, and class of worker; whether at work previous day (or last regular working day); veteran status; for Indians, whether of full or mixed blood, and tribal affiliation.1940 - Address; home owned or rented; value or monthly rental; whether on a farm; name; relationship to family head; sex; race; age; marital status; school attendance; educational attainment; birthplace; citizenship of foreign born; location of residence 5 years ago and
whether on a farm; employment status; if at work, whether in private or nonemergency government work, or in public emergency work (WPA), CCC, NYA, etc.); if in private or nonemergency government work, hours worked in week; if seeking work or on public emergency work, duration
of unemployment; occupation, industry, and class of worker; weeks
worked last year; income last year.1950 - Address; whether house is on farm; name; relationship to family head; sex; race; age; marital status; birthplace; if foreign born, whether naturalized; employment status; hours worked in week; occupation, industry, and class of worker.
1960 and 1970 - Address; name; relationship to household head; sex; race; age; marital status.
1980 - Address; name; household relationship; sex; race; age; marital status; Spanish/Hispanic origin or descent.
OTHER SOURCES
Some of the major types of information not found in census records, and their sources, are the following:
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records:
See U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publication, "Where to Write for Vital Records."
Birth and death records of Americans overseas:
Correspondence Branch, Passport Office
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20524Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, foreign American citizens:
Office of Special Consular Services
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
Aliens: Nearest consular office of the country in questionImmigration or naturalization records, 1906 to present
(earlier records are held by local courts):Immigration and Naturalization Service
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20536Birth records of alien children adopted by U.S. citizens:
Death records of members of U.S. Army, Navy, or Air Force:
Secretary of Defense
Washington, DC 20301U.S. Coast Guard
Commandant, P.S.
U.S. Coast Guard
Washington, D.C. 20226U.S. Armed Forces not currently in service:
Military Records Division
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132Selective Service records:
Records Manager, National Headquarters
Selective Service System
Washington, D.C. 24035U.S. Government civilian personnel not currently in service:
Civilian Personnel Records
National Personnel Records Center
111 Winnebago
St. Louis, MO 63118Homestead applications, ships' passenger lists:
Reference Services Branch
National Archives and Records Service
Washington, D.C. 20408
**Detailed information on Archives holdings of the above and other useful materials about individuals can be found in "Genealogical Records in the National Archives" (NA Pub. No. 5, 1981, free) and "Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives" (1982), for sale). Available from the Publication Sales Branch (NEPS), National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C. 20408.
Inquiries about census data
Questions concerning the availability of published statistics (as distinguished from individual information) in printed form, on microfiche, or on computer tape can be answered by reference to the "Bureau of the Census Catalog of Publications (one volume covers 1790-1972, annual issues thereafter.)* The Bureau's regional offices, Commerce district offices, and most the larger public libraries can also answer inquiries of this type and frequently have the reports on
hand for reference, including the following, which present data in capsule form: "Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970"*; "Statistical Abstract of the United States
(annual)"*; "County and City Data Book (periodic, latest 1983)"*;"State and Metropolitan Area Data Book (periodic. latest 1982)"*Questions about unpublished as well as published data may be directed to:
Data User Services Division
Customer Services
Bureau of the Census
Washington, D.C. 20233
(301) 763-4100Questions, comments, or suggestions about any of the Bureau's
activities are welcome and may be addressed to:Director
Bureau of the Census
Washington, D.C. 20233
Provided by: SUMMIT COUNTY CHAPTER, OGS
P O Box 2232
Akron OH 44309-2232
e-mail: SummitOGS@ald.net
Last modified March 13, 2000
Copyright ©2000 Summit County Chapter OH Genealogical Society. All rights reserved.