State and colonial censuses were often taken for military or tax purposes and provide important genealogical information. They have strengths like placing individuals at a time and place and documenting relations. Weaknesses include legibility, undercounting remote areas, and inaccuracies. State censuses may ask different questions than federal censuses and fill gaps when federal censuses are missing. They provide details like birthplaces, occupations, and veteran status. Availability varies by state with some having no records after a certain period. Bibliographies and resources are listed to locate existing state census records.

1. State and Colonial Census Records

2. Historical Background Colonial censuses were often taken to determine military strength 1787 – Constitution called for an enumeration of the people within 3 years on a federal level From 1790 to 1880, census districts were aligned with existing civil districts Most census enumerations until well into the 1800’s were taken by tax assessors and used for that purpose

3. Strengths An important source for placing individuals in a certain place, at a certain time May be the only record to give documentation of family relations, birth date and place Will often point to other critical records such as land, court, military and naturalization records

4. Weaknesses Legibility Handwriting Undercounting Remote areas not counted Mistrust of the government Over counting or padding the numbers

5. Often taken in years between federal censuses At times, were designed to collect specific data such as: Financial strengths and needs of the community Number of school age children Military strength State Census

6. May fill in missing gaps left by missing federal censuses May not be closed to the public for a seventy-two year period as are federal censuses May ask different questions than federal censuses – information that may not be found in federal records

7. Sometimes the enumerator added special comments 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

8. May ask different questions than the federal census More detailed questions may be asked in local and state censuses 1865 – Massachusetts – asked if males were legal voters or naturalized voters – helps narrow the search for naturalization dates 1855, 1865, and 1875 New York censuses list county of birth for those born in New York 1865 – Rhode Island – lists town of birth for those born in Rhode Island

9. Many post-Civil War state censuses ask for information about veterans, some even giving regiment and company in which they had served

10. Fills in the gaps created by the missing 1890 Federal census Many state and territorial censuses were taken in 1885, 1892 and 1895 New York 1892, 1890 Police Census (New York City) New Jersey 1885, 1895

11. Contents Similar to the federal census Given name Surname Place of birth Age For New York State LeBarron, Laura, “Contents of the New York State Census,” New York Genealogical and Biographical Society website

12. Delaware During the colonial period few censuses were taken No census enumerations after statehood

13. Maryland 1776 - Compiled from oaths of allegiance ordered by the colonial government of Maryland 1778 – Tallied those who were opposed to the American Revolution Mennonites and Quakers Some remaining Tories Others who refused to take oath

14. New Jersey Began in 1855 for the apportionment of the state legislature Every ten years until 1915

15. New York Took a census every ten years from 1825 to 1875, one in 1892, then every ten years from 1905 to 1925 Only the head of the household is listed from 1825 to 1845 Beginning in 1855 in New York, the name of every person in the household is listed The 1855 to 1875 census asked the person for the name of the country that the person was born in No New York censuses after 1925

16. Very few of the New York state censuses have been indexed (the exception is Steuben County which has indexed all names in every census) Existing original census records are usually in the county courthouse or with the county historian The FHL has the most complete collection of films of the New York State census 1890 – Special police (municipal) census in New York City

17. Pennsylvania No state censuses exist for the state

18. Bibliographies Dubester, Henry, 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

19. Resources Buckway, 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. An inventory arranged by state and census year Describes the contents of each census Provides microfilm numbers at the FHL for most known existing state censuses Available at the reference area on the 2 nd floor

20. Lainhart, Ann S., State Census Records , Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1992. Joselyn, Roger D., New York State Censuses and Tax Lists , New York Genealogical and Biographical Society website www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org Valentine, John F., “State and Territories Census Records in the United States, ” Genealogical Journal 2 (4) (December 1973): 133-39.