African American Genealogy Research - An Introduction to Resources: U.S. Census

Various forms available:

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration 

Family Search

United States Federal Census records can provide valuable information about persons and families. Census records and information for the United States are currently available for the years 1790 to 1940. Because of a mandated 72-year embargo, 1930 was previously the most recent census data available. On April 2, 2012 the 1940 U.S. Federal Census was released to the public and made available online.

Important information about the 1940 Federal Census:

The 1940 census reflects economic tumult of the Great Depression and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal recovery program of the 1930s. Besides name, age, relationship, and occupation, the 1940 census can provide insight and information about internal migration; employment status; participation in the New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Works Progress Administration (WPA), and National Youth Administration (NYA) programs; and years of education.

The census was taken entirely by census enumerators who went door to door collecting information. If a person wasn't home when the census taker came around, the census taker would make a return visit to collect the requisite information. Those counted on return visits are listed at the end of the regular pages for the enumeration district, usually on pages that begin with number 61.

The 1940 census also includes territorial censuses for Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Puerto Rico, and American Virgin Islands.

From 1850 to 1940, details are provided for all individuals in each household, such as:

• names of family members and relationship to head of household
• their ages at a certain point in time
• their state or country of birth
• their parent's birthplaces
• year of immigration
• street address
• marriage status and years of marriage
• occupation(s)
• home owner or renter
• value of their home and personal belongings
• the crops that they grew (in agricultural schedules), etc.

Census clues to note:

• Before the 1850 Census, few of the details noted above were recorded
• From 1790-1840, only the head of household is listed and the number of household members in selected age groups
• Before the 1870 Census, enslaved African Americans were not listed by name. The slave schedules included the name of the slave holder with slaves listed by gender and age
• The 1890 Census was essentially destroyed by fire in 1921. Only fragments remain for selected states. Alternate resources, such as city directories and nonpopulation schedules can be used to find information
• The 1900 census and 1910 census indicate the number of years of marriage for each married person, how many children were born to each woman, and how many of those children were still living
• The censuses of 1850-1880 and 1910-1930 indicate a person’s age
• The 1900 Census indicates the month and year of birth
• The 1910 Census and 1930 Census have designations for military service.

In the Factfinder for the Nation publication issued by the U.S. Census Bureau in June 2008, page 3 of the article "Availability of Census Records about Individuals" details the information included in each census. Additional information about the 1940 U. S. Federal Census can be found in the article "About the 1940 Census" at the National Archives site.

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