The United States was the first country to call for a regularly held census. The Constitution required that a census of all “Persons…excluding Indians not taxed” be performed to determine the collection of taxes and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives. The first nine censuses from 1790 to 1870 were organized under the United States Federal Court system. Each district was assigned a U.S. marshal who hired other marshals to administer the census. Governors were responsible for enumeration in territories.

Sample from US 1790 Census of New Haven County, CT

1790 Federal Population Census Schedule

The 1790 census was begun on 2 August 1790. The marshals were expected to finish the census within nine months of the Census Day—by 1 May 1791. Although most of the returns were in long before the deadline, Congress had to extend the count until 1 March 1792. By that time some people probably were counted who had not been born or present in 1790.

The States covered in this census are Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont

Because of the availability of the printed 1790 census schedules, researchers tend to overlook the importance of consulting the original schedules, which are readily available on microfilm. As in most cases, the researcher who relies on printed transcripts may miss important information and clues found only in the original version.

The 1790 census records are useful for identifying the locality to be searched for other types of records for a named individual. The 1790 census will, in most cases, help distinguish the target family from others of the same name; identify immediate neighbors who may be related; identify slaveholders; and spot spelling variations of surnames. Free men “of color” are listed as heads of household by name. Slaves appear in age groupings by name of owner. By combining those age groupings with probate inventories and tax list data, it is sometimes possible to determine names of other family members and the birth order of those individuals

Questions Asked in the 1790 Census

Name of family head; number of free white males of sixteen years and older; number of free white males under sixteen; number of free white females; number of slaves; number of other persons; and sometimes town or district of residence. The 1790 census instructed the marshals to identify, by age brackets, free white males sixteen years of age or older and those under sixteen. It was designed to determine the country’s industrial and military capabilities. Additionally, the first census was to count the number of free white females; all other free persons regardless of race or gender; and slaves. A twenty-dollar fine, to be split between the marshals’ assistants and the government, would be levied against anyone who refused to answer the enumerator’s questions.

Other Significant Facts about the 1790 Census

The Constitution called for a census of all “Persons . . . excluding Indians not taxed” for the purpose of apportioning seats in the House of Representatives and assessing direct federal taxes. The “Indians not taxed” were those not living in the settled areas. In later years, Native Americans everywhere were considered part of the total population, but not all were included in the apportionment figures until 1940.The government did not provide printed forms or even paper until 1830. It was up to each assistant to copy his census return on whatever paper he could find and post it in two public places in his assigned area. Those who saw and could read them were supposed to check for discrepancies or omissions. The highest pay rate, two cents per person, barely covered expenses, especially where settlers were scattered and living in places that were difficult to find or access.The jurisdictions of the thirteen original states stretched over an area of seventeen present-day states. Census schedules survive for only two-thirds of those states. The surviving schedules were indexed by state and published by the Bureau of the Census in the early 1900s. Bureau of the Census, Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790, 12 vols. (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1908), can be found in most research libraries; it has been reprinted by various publishers over the years.

Both the original and printed 1790 census schedules are available on microfilm for Connecticut, Maine (then part of Massachusetts), Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont. The schedules for Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia were burned during the War of 1812 (there are substitutes for most of these). Published and microfilmed 1790 schedules for Virginia were reconstructed from state enumerations and tax lists.

Census research is one of the first and most important steps in constructing a family tree. Everyone from genealogists to historians use the federal census for researching family histories. Deciphering census data, however, is not always easy.

It is usually best to begin a census search in the most recently available census records (1930) and to work from what is already known about a family. With any luck, birthplaces and other clues found in these more recent records will point to locations of earlier residence

• Instantly see names you searched in the Footnote Viewer
• Add stories and pictures to a name
• Choose “I’m related” to show your relationship
• Keep and eye on things with Watch
• Memorialize a person instantly with a webpage and you can even share it on facebook
• Connect any of millions of documents
• Add your comments, memories to a name
• Connect with others that have similar interests
• Easier to find alternate names and spelling

They do not require a Credit Card to view the census but you will have to register for a free account. They also have the 1860 Census although it is part of the paid subscription.

Exciting things are happening at Footnote! On May 8th, Footnote released the 1860 U.S. Federal Census
as a new addition to its already extensive Civil War Collection. This project was a joint effort with FamilySearch, who provided the images for the 1860 US Federal Census title. From those images, Footnote created an index enabling visitors to simply type in a name and search the millions of names contained within this title. The index created by Footnote is now available on FamilySearch as well.

Similar technology used on the interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial has enabled Footnote users to interact with the 1860 US Federal Census in ways that have never been previously available. Not only can Footnote users search and find names, but now they can upload or connect documents related to a particular individual. “Now they’re not merely names on a document,” explains Russ Wilding, Footnote CEO. “They become people as the contributions start to tell a story about that person.”

Check Out the 1860 US Federal Census today !