United States Census 1840

Content
The 1840 Census was taken beginning 1 June 1840, for eighteen months. Information on black inhabitants is typically found on the page following information on white inhabitants.

The following information, in addition to the name of the head of the household, was recorded by the census taker:

White Inhabitants

 * Free White Males under 5
 * Free Males 5-10
 * Free Males 10-15
 * Free Males 15-20
 * Free Males 20-30
 * Free Males 30-40
 * Free Males 40-50
 * Free Males 50-60
 * Free Males 60-70
 * Free Males 70-80
 * Free Males 80-90
 * Free Males 90-100
 * Free Males over 100
 * Free White Females same as males

Free Colored Inhabitants

 * Free Colored Males under 10
 * Free Males 10-24
 * Free Males 24-35
 * Free Males 36-55
 * Free Males 56-100
 * Free Males over 100
 * Free Colored Females same as males

Slave Inhabitants

 * Slave Males under 10
 * Slave Males 10-24
 * Slave Males 24-35
 * Slave Males 36-55
 * Slave Males 56-100
 * Slave Males over 100
 * Slave Females same as males

Additional Information
Clues in Census Records, 1790-1840
 * Deaf, dumb, blind, and insane (including age categories for deaf and dumb and distinctions between white and colored persons)
 * Name of pensioners for Revolutionary or military services
 * Number of persons employed in each of six classes of industry and one of occupation
 * Number in school
 * Number in family over 20 who cannot read &amp; write

Value
The 1840 census can be used to:

Clues in Census Records, 1790-1840
 * Identify locality
 * Distinguish target family from others of same name
 * Help determine family size
 * Locate possible relatives with same name
 * Identify neighbors
 * Identify slaveholders
 * Identify name variations
 * Free men of color listed as head of household
 * Slaves in age group by name of owner
 * Naturalization column may indicate length of residency in U.S. to find papers
 * Identify Pensioners leading to Rev. War information
 * Identify occupation
 * Identify education level
 * Identify insane leading to institution/guardianship records

Unique Features and Problems

 * 1) Asked the age of Revolutionary war pensioners
 * 2) Expanded occupational options
 * 3) Lists the number of those in school
 * 4) Lists the number of those over 20 who cannot read or write
 * 5) Lists those who are insane

States and Territories Covered
States


 * Alabama
 * Arkansas
 * Connecticut
 * Delaware
 * District of Columbia
 * Georgia
 * Illinois
 * Indiana
 * Kentucky
 * Louisiana
 * Maine
 * Maryland
 * Massachusetts
 * Michigan
 * Mississippi
 * Missouri
 * New Hampshire
 * New Jersey
 * New York
 * North Carolina
 * Ohio
 * Pennsylvania
 * Rhode Island
 * South Carolina
 * Tennessee
 * Virginia
 * Vermont

Territories


 * Florida
 * Iowa
 * Oregon (also a part of Britain)
 * Wisconsin

Missing Records

 * No States Missing

Where to Find the Records
The 1840 Federal Census is available online.

Online


 * 1840 United States Federal Census (Ancestry) ($)
 * (FamilySearch) - free

Websites
Census Records information at National Archives 1790-1840 Census Clues at National Archives 1850-1940 Census Clues at National Archives