Massachusetts Census

United States   U.S. Census    Massachusetts   Census

Online Resources
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 * Massachusetts: Miscellaneous Census Substitutes, 1630–1788, 1840, 1890, index
 * United States Online Census, 1790-1940
 * — index and images
 * Massachusetts, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890, ($), index
 * Massachusetts, State Census, 1855, ($), index/images
 * Massachusetts, State Census, 1855, index/images
 * Massachusetts, State Census, 1865, ($), index/images
 * Massachusetts, State Census, 1865, index/images
 * Massachusetts, Federal Census Mortality Schedule, 1870, images
 * Massachusetts, Federal Census Mortality Schedule, 1880, images
 * If at first you don't find a name, try again under another spelling.
 * Photocopy each ancestor's census. Identify where you found it.
 * Look for an ancestor in every census during her or his lifetime.
 * On the family group record show each person's census listings.
 * Study others in the same household, neighbors, and anyone with the similar names nearby on the census in community context.
 * Study others in the same household, neighbors, and anyone with the similar names nearby on the census in community context.


 * For a list of the exact date of each federal census, click here.

Massachusetts State Censuses Online

 * Massachusetts, State Census, 1855, ($), index/images
 * Massachusetts, State Census, 1855, index/images
 * Massachusetts, State Census, 1865, ($), index/images
 * Massachusetts, State Census, 1865, index/images

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

Microfilm images
Family History Library Federal Census Non-Population Schedule Microfilms for Massachusetts


 * 1880 mortality schedules
 * 1870 mortality schedules
 * 1860 mortality schedules
 * 1850 mortality schedules

National Archives' Federal Census 'Non-Population ScheduleMicrofilms for Massachusetts


 * 1935 Census of Business
 * 1820 - 1880 Census of Manufactures including agriculture, manufacturing, social statistics, mortality and delinquent classes.

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

State and colonial censuses
Massachusetts often took censuses in the years between the federal censuses, the dates are listed below. State census records may have columns that were different or more unusual than those found on federal censuses. The responses and years of coverage may give additional information on the family.

Existing and lost censuses
For a list of available and missing Massachusetts 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

Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:


 * Massachusetts 1855 State Census (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Massachusetts 1865 State Census (FamilySearch Historical Records)