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Eastern State Census Records
Luana Darby, BA
Census records are the cornerstone of 19th and early 20th
century genealogical research. State censuses can enhance that research and
census records of a few states, specifically New Jersey and New York, provide
considerably more detail than the federal censuses. Usually taken in the years
between federal census enumerations, these records provide an expanded view of
the people in a specific area. In some cases, state and local censuses
supplement information found in the federal counts; in others they may provide
the only census information including family relations, birth dates and places
to be found for a given individual or family.
History
Historically, census records were a basic count of
inhabitants. As the nation grew, so did the need for statistics that would
reflect the characteristics of the people. In 1787, the constitution called for
an enumeration of the people to be made within three years after the first
meeting of Congress. Then Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson sent a copy of the
law to each of the seventeen U.S. Marshalls and instructed them to appoint as
many assistants as were needed to take the census. From 1790 to 1880, census
districts were aligned with existing civil divisions. The Marshalls were
authorized to subdivide each district into reasonable geographical segments.
Most census enumerations until well in the 1800s were taken by tax assessors.
Purpose
State censuses, when they exist, were usually provided for in
state constitutions and were typically designed for the allotment of
representatives to state legislatures. These censuses were often taken in the
years between federal censuses. They were also designed to collect specific data
such as:
 | Financial strengths and needs of the community for
revenue assessment |
| Number of school age children and potential school
population to predict needs for teacher’s and facilities |
| The number of able bodied males to assess military
strength |
| Centers of population for urban planning |
Contents
State censuses usually resemble those of corresponding federal
enumerations. Generally a name, place of birth and age are included (except for
early census records). Each census varies between years and between states.
State Census Records by Ann Lainhart gives a list of information asked by
each specific census. In New York, Laura LeBarron, an assistant librarian at the
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, also describes what is available
for that state in Contents of the New York State Census. A state census may ask
different questions than the federal census. Many times questions are more
detailed. For example, a few of the questions asked on census enumerations were:
| The 1865 Massachusetts state census asked if males were
legal voters or naturalized voters. This important information helps to
narrow the search for a naturalization date. |
| The 1855, 1865 and 1875 New York state censuses list
county of birth for those born in New York |
| The 1865 Rhode Island census lists the town of birth for
those born in that state |
Occasionally on state census records, the enumerator would add
special comments. A few of the more humorous ones are included here to
illustrate this point:
| From an 1865 New York Census for Granville, Washington
County. “These 11 live in a little shanty 12 by 12 only one room, how they
sleep is a puzzle to me. I think they can’t all get in at once.” |
| In the 1865 census of Hanson, Massachusetts it is noted
that, “Hannah Barker was the oldest person in town, retaining all her mental
faculties; Eyesight good.” (State Census Records by Ann Lainhart, p 11-12) |
Value of the State Census
| Supplements information found in the federal census |
| May provide the only information to be found for a given
family or individual |
| May fill in gaps left by missing federal censuses (i.e.
1890 Federal Census) |
| Sometimes contains considerably more information about a
family |
| May not be closed to the public for 72 years as is the
federal census |
Access and Availability
The availability of state census records varies in each of the
Mid-Atlantic states. The Family History Library in Salt Lake has an excellent
collection of colonial, territorial and state censuses. Many original census
records are available at state archives. Usually they are not indexed. However,
state genealogical and historical societies may have created indexes to these
records. A brief state by state listing follows to give an idea of what records
are available for this region.
Delaware
| In 1782, a partial census was taken by the tax assessor.
This census listed only the names of the head of the household and the
counts of all males over 18 years old and all females. |
| There were no census enumerations after Delaware achieved
statehood. |
Maryland
| In 1776, a census was compiled using the oaths of
allegiance ordered by the colonial government of Maryland – some
enumerations listed males in the household in descending order followed by
females in the same order – it has been published twice |
| In 1778, a tally of those who were opposed to the
American Revolution can also be used as a census. Many of those that were
included in this enumeration were Mennonites and Quaker for their religious
belief of pacifism, a few remaining Tories and others for one reason or
another simply refused to take the oath. |
New Jersey – see appendix for additional information
| The first colonial census of the early Swedish settlers
was taken in 1693 |
| Colonial censuses were taken in 1726, 1738, 1745 and
1772, but were destroyed. |
| New Jersey state censuses began in earnest in 1855 and
were mainly for the apportionment of the state legislature |
| The 1855 census records give only the name of the head of
household with the number of males and females living in the household. |
| From 1865 to 1895 the census lists every person in the
household, age, sex, birth place of individual and parents, native or
foreign born, and occupation. |
| The 1905 and 1915 censuses give detailed information
about each member of the household, including name, age , race, martial
status, month and year of birth, state of birth of the individual and
parents, the number of years an immigrant has lived in the U.S. and whether
they are naturalized or not and their occupation. |
New York – see appendix for additional information
| A 1698 colonial census was taken that often listed all
inhabitants. The original records were destroyed, but a few fragments have
been published. A compilation of these various tax, census and other lists
that are available is being pursued by Kory L. Meyerink and is a work in
progress that will be available for use in the future. |
| New York took a state census every ten years from 1825 to
1875, one in 1892 and then every ten years from 1905 to 1925. This covers a
period of 105 years where census records were taken every five years.
However, many counties do not have records for every census. |
| Only the head of the household is listed from 1825 to
1845. |
| In 1845, columns were added to include whether the
individual was born in New York, New England, and other states, Latin
America, British Empire, France, German or other nations of Europe. |
| Beginning in 1855, the name of every person in the
household is listed. In this same census there was an enumeration of those
who married or who died in the previous year. |
| The 1855 to 1875 censuses include the name of the county
in which the person was born. |
| In 1865, there was a marriage enumeration included in the
census which gave the name of the bride and groom, ages of those married,
previous marital status, month and day of ceremony, where it took place, and
whether it was a civil or church marriage. |
| Very few of the New York state censuses have been indexed
(the exception being Steuben County which has indexed all names in every
census). A list of those with indexes follows in the appendix at the end of
this paper. |
| Existing original census records are usually in the
county courthouse or with the county historian. |
| The FHL has the most complete collection of films for the
New York State census. |
| The state library in Albany has microfilm copies of the
census for the entire state for 1915 and 1925 and earlier years as well. |
Pennsylvania
No record of an applicable state census has been found for the
state. Most seem to be lost or severely damaged and unavailable for research.
Septennial censuses for virtually every Pennsylvania county were taken every
seven years from 1779 to 1863. These ‘census’ records were often called tax
lists because their main purpose was for taxation.
Quality
As with all records, census enumerations have drawbacks. One
of these drawbacks is that the legibility of the handwriting differs from record
to record. Some may be clear and easy to read while others are faded completely
away or are just not legible at all. There are also the issues of under- and
over- counting. While there may have been a myriad of reasons why someone may
not have been counted, there are two that are quite common.
First, remote areas may not have been counted because of
physical barriers that impeded the enumerator. Often the census was taken in the
spring or early summer when spring runoff was high. It may have been impossible
for the enumerator to get to the family.
Second, at various times in our nation’s history, certain
individuals have had a great distrust of government intervention into the
private lives of its citizens. These individuals refused to answer any questions
which they felt would give the government more power and information. While
under counting seems to have been more common, over counting or padding census
numbers seems also to have affected the accuracy of the records. Political
outcomes sometimes were decided by the number of people in a given area.
The census enumeration was taken over a period of time and
while it was not common that a person would get counted twice, society was
mobile and moving westward and it happened. Some census records, especially in
the colonial period, only listed a fraction of the population. In the early
census records, only men were counted (as taxpayers) and whole segments of the
population were missed in these enumerations.
Finding Aids
| U.S. State and Special Census Register: A Listing of
Family History Library Microfilm Numbers, by Eileen G. Buckway and Fred
Adams. Revised 1992. 9 Microfiche (Salt Lake City: Family History Library,
1992) – an inventory, arranged by state and census year, describing the
contents of each census and providing the Family History Library film
numbers for most know existing state censuses. |
| State Censuses: An Annotated Bibliography of Censuses of
Population Taken After the Year 1790 by States and Territories of the United
States, by Henry J. Dubester (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing
Office, 1948) – a comprehensive listing of all census records with
information on questions answered, records that exist and other relevant
information |
| Early New York State Census Records, 1663-1772, by Carol
M. Meyers (Gardena, California: RAM Publishers, 1965) – an excellent guide
to the census records of New York |
| The Family History Library Catalog by the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 1997 -
) |
| PERSI - The PERiodical Source Index can help to locate
local periodical which may have articles covering the indexing of these
census records. Many local historical societies have produced not only
indexes for state census records, but in some instances have published these
indexes independently. Look for these records by locality. |
Instructional Books
| State Census Records, by Ann S. Lainhart, (Baltimore:
Genealogical Publishing Co., 1992) |
| Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920, by
William Thorndale and William Dollarhide (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing
Company, 1987) |
| New York State Censuses & Substitutes, by William
Dollarhide - Identifies 448 state census originals for New York’s 62
counties, located at 68 different New York repositories, plus
transcripts/extracts, abstracts, or indexes in print, all with library call
numbers and FHL film numbers. |
Websites
State census records can help to provide a better picture of
our ancestors and provide missing information. They may not be as readily
available nor as fully indexed as the federal census, but they are certainly
worth the effort to locate and use. Don’t forget to include them in your next
search.
Sources Used
- Buckyway, G. Eileen and Fred Adams, “U.S. State and
Special Census Register: A Listing of Family History Library Microfilm
Numbers,” Salt Lake City: Family
History Library, 1992.
- Davenport, David. “The State Censuses of New York
1825-1875,” Genealogical Journal,
14 (1985-86): 172-97.
- Dollarhide, William. “Mid-Atlantic State Censuses &
Substitutes” Genealogy Bulletin.
Bountiful: Heritage Creations, 2004.
- Dollarhide, William. The Census Book. Bountiful: Heritage
Quest, 2000.
- Dubester, Henry J. State Censuses: An Annotated
Bibliography of Censuses of
Population Taken After the Year 1790 by States and Territories of the United
States (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1948)
- Joselyn, Roger D. New York State Censuses and Tax Lists,
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, Online:
www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org Accessed October 2005.
- LeBarron, Laura, “Finding Aids at the NYG&B Library for
New York State Censuses,” NYG&B Newsletter 8 (1997): 11-13, 19-21.
- Lainhart, Ann S. State Census Records. Baltimore:
Genealogical Publishing Co., 1992.
- Meyerink, Kory L. “New York in 1698: Comprehensive List
of Residents Based on Tax, Census, and Other Lists,”
- Meyers, Carol M. Early New York State Census Records,
1663-1772. Gardena,
California: RAM Publishers, 1965
- Morgan, George. “Along Those Lines…City Directories”
Online: < http://www.
ancestry.com/columns/george/03-06-98.htm>, accessed on 15 January 2005.
- Remington, Gordon Lewis. “Research in Directories”
chapter 11 in the The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy, revised
addition, Loretto Dennis Szucs and
Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, editors, Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1997.
- Sperry, Kip. “State and Local Censuses Supplement Federal
Census Schedules” Online: http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article+1238&print=1,
accessed on 22 October 2005.
- Valentine, John F., “State and Territories Census Records
in the United States,” Genealogical Journal 2 (4) (December 1973): 133-139.
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