Census Indexes

The Federal census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution, which states "The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such manner as they shall by law direct." Even though the statistical summaries collected by enumerators are made public shortly after the census is taken, federal law restricts the release of information on individuals and families for 72 years for privacy reasons.

WPL has a copy of the Census for many states for many years. Also it has copies of the Soundex by year when needed. Each roll lists the counties and/or Enumeration Districts for those states.

The entire FREE schedule (not slave or mortality or the non population schedules like agriculture and manufacturing) is available for the 1850 Federal Census. This is the first census in which all members of a household are listed. Information includes: 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.

The 1930 census is the 15th Census of the United States and was conducted on April 1, 1930. There is no index to this census except for 12 Southern states. The 1930 census consists of 2,667 rolls of microfilm of population schedules and 1,587 rolls of Soundex indexes for these 12 Southern states, totaling 4,254 rolls of microfilm. If you are researching outside of these 12 Southern states, a researcher must know the address at which a family resided in 1930 in order to locate a member of their family.

The National Archives has provided a collection of City Directories and other finding aids to assist in locating addresses. Check out the latest 1930 research info page from the National Archives at 1930 Census Research


Click on a state to search the inventory.