Talk:New York Census

United States &gt;  U.S. Census  &gt;  New York  &gt;  Census

Microfilm images
1791-1930 The National Archives and its regional centers, the Family History Library, the New York Public Library, and the New York State Library have microfilm copies of the U.S. federal censuses of New York for 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930. The original county copies of the federal censuses, 1850–1880, are normally at the county clerk's offices. These copies are more accurate than the federal copies. The Family History Library has county copies on microfilm.

Indexes: fiche, film, or book
For a list of microform and book indexes for the population schedules of New York, click here

Indexes: fiche, film, or book
For a list of microform and book indexes for the non-population schedules of New York, click here.

State, territorial, and colonial censuses

 * 1890 Manhattan police census Ancestry.com has the indexed this census online. To use the census, first find the name in the Ancestry index, or in a city directory, then use the street directory and maps on microfilms 1304784 and 1304777 to determine the census enumeration district and volume number.

as the "police census," this record is listed under New York (New York), Police Department, Police Census, 1890 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1981; on 59 Family History Library films). The census lists the name, address, sex, and age of each person.

Colonial censuses were taken approximately every ten years beginning in 1690. Several have been partially destroyed. To locate existing colonial censuses and lists of petitioners, taxpayers, militia lists, freeholders (those who owned property), and persons taking oaths of allegiance, use:


 * John D. Stemmons, The United States Census Compendium (Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, 1973; Family History Library book 973 X2st).

The following are some of the major published transcripts and indexes of colonial censuses. They list individuals and the towns where they lived:


 * Meyers, Carol M. Early New York State Census Records. 1663–1772. Gardena, California: RAM Publishers, 1965. (Family History Library book 974.7 X28m; fiche 6111479.)
 * O'Callaghan, Edmund B. Lists of Inhabitants of Colonial New York Excerpted from the Documentary History of the State of New York by Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan. Edited by Rosanne Conway. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1979. (Family History Library book 974.7 D4L; fiche 6046723.) This source includes lists of town and county inhabitants of many colonial localities for various dates from 1657–1799.

New York. Secretary of State. Calendar of Historical Manuscripts Relating to the War of the Revolution, in the Office of the Secretary of State, 1638–1801. Two Volumes. Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons and Company, 1868. (Family History Library film 1550750.) Index in Volume 2.

Native American Census
There are many census records held in the New York State Archives that have information on Native Americans from 1845 to 1950; however there is a restriction on records less than 75 years old. There is an Enumeration of Native Americans for payment of annuities for the Cayuga tribe taken in June 1969 which lists names, birth dates, and addresses.

Poorhouse Census
Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1875-1921 are available at the New York State Archives. These are not indexed.

1870 Manhattan Census
Census takers enumerated Manhattan (New York County) twice in 1870 and both versions are microfilmed. The second enumeration, taken in December, is not indexed but includes street addresses, which make it easier to find your ancestor. In addition, the National Archives microfilmed all of the 1870 federal census schedules twice. As a result, there are four sets of microfilms for the Manhattan 1870 federal census.

Existing and lost censuses
For a list of available and missing New York censuses, click here.

Why use a census?
A well-indexed census is one of the easiest ways to locate where an ancestor's family lived and when they lived there. You can also use censuses to follow the changes in a family over time, and identify neighbors. These and other clues provided by censuses are important because they help find additional kinds of records about the family.

More about censuses
Click here for additional details about how to use censuses, such as:


 * index searching tips
 * analyzing and using what you find
 * census accuracy
 * historical background
 * contents of various census years and types