Federal Population Schedules
Begin your research with the most recent census records and work backwards. Our description of the population schedules is presented in that order.
Federal Population Schedules 1930-1880
Population schedules for this period are complete except for the 1890 Census. A 1921 warehouse fire in Washington, D.C., destroyed more than ninety-nine percent of this schedule. A list of Union veterans and their widows living in South Carolina is the only part of the 1890 Census that survives for this state. A published index to the 1890 Census is available.
The other population schedules for this period are arranged by county and enumeration district. They list all household members by name, age, sex, and race, and may also give information about occupations, schooling, place of birth, parent s place of birth, number of years married, and naturalization.
To locate an individual on the 1930 to 1880 census records, you will use the Soundex indexing system by obtaining a Soundex code number for a surname then searching the Soundex microfilm. If you have a problem obtaining a Soundex code number for a surname, please ask a reference staffer for help. (See Appendix below for a description of Soundex and how to use it.) 1880 is available on-line for free at http://www.familysearch.org/ .
Federal Population Schedules 1870-1850
This series of census records is important the 1870 schedule is the first federal census to enumerate former slaves by name; the 1860 schedule was taken just before the start of the Civil War; and the 1850 schedule is the first to list all household members by name. The Archives has an incomplete manuscript copy of the 1870 population schedule and will make that copy available to researchers who find the microfilm version illegible.
Indexes: The schedules are arranged by county. To locate a name, consult the published indexes located on the index stand across from the reference desk. The Archives has an index to every name on the 1870 and 1860 schedules and an index to heads of household on the 1850 schedule. These indexes cite the county where the individuals lived and give a page number, which corresponds to the stamped page number in the upper right hand corner of every other census page. When you use these published indexes, do remember to check for variant spellings of surnames.
Listings: These census records list all household individuals by name, age, sex, and race, and may contain information about occupations, schooling, value of personal and real estate, and place of birth.
Federal Population Schedules 1840-1790
These census records differ from later schedules in that they list only heads of household by name; all other individuals they enumerate in age categories. As you go back in time, you will find that the age categories on the schedules get broader in scope and fewer in number. Although these census records cannot be used to prove relationships, they are still a valuable source, for they can be used to identify or eliminate certain families as possible ancestors.
Indexes: These schedules are arranged by county. You can locate a head of household by consulting the published indexes on the stand across from the reference desk. These indexes cite the county where the individuals lived and give a page number for each head of household, which usually corresponds to a stamped number on the census page. Because some of the published indexes print out the age categories for each household, you will not have to look at the census records unless you wish to verify the data given in the index. When you use these published indexes, do remember to check for variant spellings of surnames.
Listings: These schedules all give information about the number of males, females, free persons of color, and slaves living in each household. The 1840 census gives information about occupations, schooling, and military service. The 1820 census gives information about occupations.