Marcia, Almost all the larger genealogical libraries (Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas to name just a few) have these census, from at least 1850 to 1920. 1850 was the first federal census that was taken that really gives any useful information, and 1920 is the last year that the federal census is available for public viewing. I believe in 2003 the 1930 census will become available. I use the Clayton Genealogical Library in Houston (part of the Houston Public Library) and they have every state, and their counties available on microfilm. Most of the Genealogical libraries will loan copies of the microfilms to other Libraries, so if you do not live near one of the above cities, I would suggest that you contact your local library and see if they can obtain the census you want on an inter-library loan. In your case the 1870 and 1880 Federal Census for Galveston County, Texas. (the 1890 census was 99% destroyed while still in federal possession, hence that census is unavailable). You will be able to use the Soundex system for the 1880 census, but for the earlier ones, you must use index's which are quite time consuming. Hope this info helps, Bill Sanders Spring, Texas bsand10@earthlink.net Genealogists live in the past lane > Hi, > > I just read about a Galveston Co census. Could someone please tell me about > what census years are available, where, and how it is arranged or indexed? > Also are the censuses on microfilm and available on interlibrary loans? > We have been researching my husband's g-gf and g-gm who lived in Galveston > from 1866 thru 1886. She was Anna (Annie LOBERT) who came from Germany to > Galveston around 1868. She worked as a Governess until her marriage to > Shadrach G. (S.G.) ETHERIDGE. He was a cotton broker during those years. > Any help and answers would be very appreciated. Thanks. > > Marcia Snyder > Holland, TX > M44as@aol.com > >