Subject Librarian
Dartmouth College
25 N Main ST
Hanover, NH 03755
Introduction
"The federal census has proved to be a rich source of material for genealogists, historical researchers, and social scientists, for these decennial stocktakings are a storehouse of facts and figures about the American people. The information is found on the original handwritten census returns (the schedules) compiled by the census takers as they visited all types of households and homes throughout the nation. The data gathered on the original returns provided the basis for the published volumes."
[Provenzano, Dominic. "Baker's Federal Population Census Schedules." Dartmouth College Library Bulletin 20 (NS), no. 1 (Nov. 1979): 39-49].
Finding Census data for Genealogists
- A Stroke of Genealogy: Searching U.S. Census Bureau Records
Whether you are conducting genealogy research or just interested in finding census records about family members, working with historical records from the U.S. Census Bureau is a multi-step process.
In this course we walk you through these steps and introduce you to many important resources for accessing and using these records, including the 1950 Census of Population records.
There are 3 modules totalling about 35 minutes.
Modern Census information
- Federal population censuses, 1790-1890, a catalog of microfilm copies of the schedules byCall Number: Baker-Berry CD 3027 .U548
The 1900 federal population census: catalog of national archives microfilm by Call Number: Baker-Berry Z 7553 .C3 N374 1996ISBN: 9780911333145- The 1910 federal population census: a catalog of microfilm copies of the schedules byCall Number: Baker-Berry CD 3027 .U55
The 1920 federal population census: catalog of National Archives microfilm by Call Number: Baker-Berry CD 3027 .U55 1920ISBN: 9780911333862
1940 census: official 1940 census website by Call Number: Electronic resourceThis site gives you full access to the 1940 census images, in addition to 1940 census maps and descriptions.
17th century census information
The following list includes only those published records or schedules (both printed and microfilm) that provide information on individuals or families.
Please note: Our collection of schedules are limited to early New England and/or New Hampshire and Vermont.
- Early New Hampshire byCall Number: Baker-Berry F 33 .J32 1980 v.1Volume 1 covers 1600-1789, 1791-1799
18th century census information
- Early New Hampshire byCall Number: Baker-Berry F 33 .J32 1980 v.1Volume 1 covers 1600-1789, 1791-1799
- Census of the inhabitants of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1774 byCall Number: Baker-Berry F 78 .A59 1969
The Rhode Island 1777 military census by Call Number: Baker-Berry E 263 .R4 C48 1985ISBN: 9780806311074This military census of Rhode Island is an enumeration of all males over sixteen both able and unable to bear arms. In addition, the census was to provide the names of men already in the state militia or in Continental battalions, and to identify transients, Indians, Negroes, and Quakers. The result is a town-by-town list of about 8,500 Rhode Island men--complete except for the enumerations of six towns which are missing from the records in the State Archives. The records given here in full are for the remaining twenty-three towns.- Rhode Island 1782 census byCall Number: Baker-Berry F 78 .H47This book ... is a reconstructed census using the original manuscript [Rhode Island General Assembly, Census for the State of Rhode Island for 1782] and tax lists of the same time period to replace lost records.
1790, 1st Federal Census
Includes the name of family head; free white males of 16 years and up, free white males under 15; free white females; slaves; other persons.
For other census years, see the Genealogy research guide.
- Heads of families at the first census of the United States taken in the year 1790 ... byCall Number: Baker-Berry E 302.5 .U57 v.1-12Map(s) are located in the Evans Map Room under call number of text volume.
- Population schedule of the 1st census of the United States, 1790, New Hampshire byCall Number: LCSF 3861r 1790
- Population schedule of the 1st census of the United States, 1790, Vermont byCall Number: LCSF 3862r 1790