Few genealogical researchers are around who do not moan over the loss of the 1890 U.S. Census, and probably all such persons are aware it was lost in a 1921 fire. There's a fascinating story BEHIND the story of the missing 1890 census, and the sad tale has just been posted on the National Archives web site. To learn the whole story of how the 1890 census was lost, go to: http://www.nara.gov/publications/prologue/1890cen1.html It's a fascinating story.