Hi Cookies! I've just re-posted Recipes 1 through 10 for all who are new to the list or have lost them. Now it's time for a new one. In Recipe #2, I gave you the FIRST STEP in genealogical research-- HOME SOURCES. After you have done a thorough job on that, it's time for STEP TWO-- CENSUS RESEARCH. It's very important to be sure you know where your ancestors lived and when they lived there BEFORE you begin looking for other records. Otherwise, you may spend a lot of time looking in the wrong place! By doing your CENSUS RESEARCH next, you will find out what town, county, and state to search for other records. In Recipe #3, I gave you some information on STATE CENSUS RECORDS and, in Recipe #4, I told you how to use the SOUNDEX. I recently realized that I haven't given any information on what you will find in the US FEDERAL CENSUS. Below is a summary of the Census Records for 1790 through 1920. SUE'S COOK BOOK, RECIPE #11 FEDERAL CENSUS RECORDS 1790--The first Federal Census of the United States was taken in 1790. The information given on this census is: Name of Head of Family, number of free white males ages 16 and older, number of free white males under 16, number of free white females, number of slaves, number of other persons in the household. 1800--The information given on this census is: Name of Head of Family, number of free white males broken into age groups, number of free white females broken into age groups, all other free persons, number of slaves. 1810--Same information as 1800. 1820--The information given on this census is: Name of Head of Family, number of free white males broken into age groups, number of free white females broken into age groups, number of foreigners not naturalized, occupation, number of free colored, number of slaves. 1830--The information given on this census is: Name of Head of Family, number of free white males and females broken into smaller age groups than previous years, number of slaves, number of free colored, number of foreigners not naturalized. 1840--Same as 1830, but add these categories: number of handicapped, occupation, literacy, military service. 1850--This is the first census that lists all members of the household by name. For each person in the household, the following information is given: Name, age, race, sex, relationship to head of family, whether handicapped, occupation, property value, birthplace, whether married, whether attending school, whether able to read. There are supplemental schedules for slaves, paupers, criminals, and persons who died within the year. 1860--About the same as 1850. 1870--All members of the household are listed by name. For each member of the household, the following information is given: Name, age, race, sex, relationship to head of family, value of property, birthplace, whether parents were foreign born, month of birth if born within the year, whether attending school, literacy, occupation, whether handicapped. There are supplemental schedules for persons who died during the year, for paupers, and for prisoners. 1880--This is the first year for which there is a Soundex. It is also the first year for which the address of the household is given. For each person in the household, the following information is given: Name, age, month of birth if in census year, race, sex, relationship to head of family, whether married, occupation, literacy, place of birth, place of birth of parents. There are supplemental schedules for Indians, persons who died during the year, persons in asylums, prisoners, homeless children, paupers. 1890--Almost all of the 1890 Census was destroyed. There are only a very few fragments for isolated areas. But there is a Veteran's Census for 1890. If your ancestor was in the military, you may be able to locate him or his widow on the Veteran's schedule. 1900--This census includes: Address of household, names, age, race, sex, relationship to head, marital status, number of years married, number of children born to female head and number still living, birthplace of person and parents, year of immigration for foreigners and whether naturalized, occupation, employment, school attendence, literacy, whether can speak English, whether on a farm, whether home is owned or rented or mortgaged. Supplemental schedules for deaf and blind. 1910--About the same as 1900, but add whether a survivor of Union or Confederate Army or Navy. 1920--This is the latest Census that we have access to. The contents are similar to 1900, but add what language is spoken if not English. That's it--at least until they release the 1930 Census! Sue Roe SueMHR@aol.com 117 Harvard Lane Seal Beach, CA 90740-2508