New York Census

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What does the Census contain?
The census gives you place of residency and head of the household. Each census has a little different information. The early census, 1790–1840 only give number of others in the house grouped by ages and sex. Starting in 1850, you will find the names, ages, and birthplace of everyone in the household.

To find exactly what is in each census, CLICK on the census year, to be taken to the United States page. You can then CLICK the BACK button. to come back to this page.

Blank forms for the US Census

Federal Census
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.

1810 Census--The 1810 census of Cortland County and part of Broome County are missing.

1850 United States Census—A free Internet index and images to the 1850 United States Census can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site. This index includes every name listed on the census and is linked to an image including information about each person’s residence and age in 1850, birthplace, occupation, other family members, and neighbors.

1860 United States Census—A free Internet index and images to the 1860 United States Census can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site. This index includes every name listed on the census and is linked to an image including information about each person’s residence and age in 1860, birthplace, occupation, other family members, whether married or single, and neighbors.

1870 Manhattan--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.

 1870 United States Census---A free internet index and images can be viewed on FamilySearch Record Pilot site. This index includes the full name, age, sex, race, birthplace, occupation, month if born in census year, month if married in census year, birth place of father and mother, if born in a foreign country.

1880 United States Census– A Free Internet Index and Images to the US Census can be viewed on the Family Search Record Pilot – Pilot Site. This index includes an every name index to population schedules listing inhabitants. It includes the full name, race, sex, age, birth month (if born during the previous year), relationship to head of household, whether married, single or divorced, whether married during the previous year, country or state of birth of each person and his parent’s, occupation and street address and house number.

1890 Census--The 1890 census (except the returns for Eastchester, Westchester County and Brookhaven, Suffolk County) was destroyed.

1890 Veterans Schedule--The 1890 schedule of Union veterans survived. It is arranged by county, and there is a separate book index. The 1892 state census can be searched as a substitute for the 1890 census. There is, however, no 1892 census for Manhattan.

1890 Police Census--In 1890 Manhattan took a second census in which policemen asked the questions. Known 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. To use the census, first find the name 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.

1900 Federal Census - A free Internet index and images to the 1900 United States Census can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site. Important additions to this census are month and year of birth of each household member, number of years married for each married person, number of children born to each mother and the number of those still living, year of immigration, and number of years in the United States.

Indexes
Ancestry--All federal census years have been indexed at Ancestry.

Heritage Quest -- Federal census for 1790 to 1820, and 1860 to 1920 have been indexed at Heritage Quest

1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 &amp; 1900  United States censuses for New York are available at labs.familysearch.org for free. Site includes searchable name indexes and images. 1880 is available in name index only.

1790-1860--Statewide indexes in book form are available for censuses 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, and 1860. A statewide 1870 census index for Kings, New York (Manhattan and part of the Bronx), Queens, Richmond, and Suffolk counties is available in compact disc format (Family History Library compact disc number 9 part 287).

1870--The compact disc including the 1870 Manhattan (New York County) index is for the first enumeration.

1880, 1900, 1920--Microfilm soundex (phonetic) indexes exist for the 1880 (partial), 1900, and 1920 censuses.

County-wide indexes sometimes help locate names that have been overlooked in statewide indexes. Over a dozen county-wide indexes are listed in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, [COUNTY] - CENSUS.

When indexes are not available or omit a name, you can still search for the name in the census. In large cities it helps to first learn the person's address by searching the city directory for the same year as the census. Then look for that address on the original census schedules.

Enumeration Districts
If you need to find an enumeration district, the following sources may help:


 * Kirkham, E. Kay. A Handy Guide to Record- Searching in the Larger Cities of the United States. Logan, Utah: Everton, 1974. (Family History Library book 973 D27kc; fiche 6010059–60.) Includes ward maps and street indexes for: Albany 1866, 1878; Buffalo 1850–1855, 1866; New York City 1850–1855, 1860, 1878; Rochester 1866, 1878; Troy 1866, 1878.
 * Hillman, Barbara and Raymond G. Matthews. Guide to the Use of the United States. Census Office. 10th Census 1880 New York City. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1985. (Family History Library book 974.71 X22h 1880 index; fiche 6047913.)Includes Manhattan and the west part of the Bronx. Lists each ward's assembly district, election district, census enumeration district, and 1880 census Family History Library film number. Also includes street maps of each assembly district.
 * Buckway, G. Eileen. U.S. 1910 Federal Census: Unindexed States: A Guide to Finding Census Enumeration Districts for Unindexed Cities, Towns, and Villages. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, 1992. (Family History Library book 973 X2bu 1910; fiche 6101340.) Lists New York towns (or wards) with their 1910 census enumeration district numbers and Family History Library film numbers. Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Manhattan and Bronx, Queens, Rochester, Schenectady, Staten Island (Richmond County), Syracuse, Troy, Utica, and Yonkers (Westchester County) each have special instructions, which often include city directory Family History Library book or film numbers.
 * United States. Bureau of the Census. Cross Index to Selected City Streets and Enumeration Districts, 1910 Census. Washington, DC: National Archives, [1984]. (51 Family History Library fiche 6331481.) Lists street addresses in Brooklyn (fiche 26–28), Manhattan and Bronx (fiche 29–31), and Staten Island (fiche 32–35) with their corresponding census enumeration districts.
 * Malmberg, Emil and Maurine. Street Indexes to Unindexed Cities in the U.S. 1910 Federal Census. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, 1993. (Family History Library book 973 X2str 1910; fiche 6104151.) Lists Queens County street addresses with their corresponding page numbers, 1910 census enumeration district numbers, and Family History Library film numbers.

United States. Census Office. Census Descriptions of Geographic Subdivisions and Enumerations Districts contain the items below:


 * 1830 Family History Library film 1402857 item 1
 * 1840 Family History Library film 1402857 item 2
 * 1850 Family History Library film 1402858 item 1
 * 1860 Family History Library film 1402858 item 2
 * 1870 Family History Library film 1402859
 * 1880 Family History Library film 1402862
 * 1900 Family History Library film 1303024–25
 * 1910 Family History Library film 1374008
 * 1920 Family History Library film 1842712–13
 * 1930 Family History Library film 2261291-3

Both the Family History Library and the National Archives (Washington, DC) also have 1910 enumeration district maps for Albany, Buffalo, Queens, Syracuse, Utica, and Yonkers. These maps are found in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, [COUNTY], [CITY] - MAPS. The National Archives in Washington, DC also has similar maps for many smaller New York cities.

Colonial Censuses
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.

Mortality Schedules
Mortality schedules list the names of persons who died in the year before the census was taken. Schedules for the 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses are at the New York State Archives. Microfilm copies are also at the Family History Library (Family History Library films 1415128–42) and the National Archives in Washington, DC. For online mortality schedules see: Mortality Schedules 1850-1880

1850 United States Census Mortality Schedules—A free Internet index and images to the 1850 United States Census Mortality Schedules can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search - Pilot Site. Mortality schedules provided nationwide death statistics for the twelve months prior to the 1850 census. Key genealogical facts found on the 1850 mortality schedule are: Name, age, sex, color, married or widowed, birthplace, month of death, occupation, cause of death.

Agricultural, Manufacturing and Social Schedules
Other Schedules. The Agricultural, Industrial (Manufacturing), and Social Schedules for the 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses are at the State Archives, and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.

State Censuses
State censuses were taken about every ten years beginning in 1795. All of the state census schedules in the custody of the State Library were destroyed in the 1911 fire. An Albany County 1790 census exists:


 * Kenneth Scott, compiler,New York State Census of Albany County Towns in 1790 (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1975; Family History Library book 974.742 X2s).

State censuses have survived for some counties for 1825, 1835, 1845, and 1855 and for most counties for 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, and 1925. Most censuses are in the possession of county clerks and are on microfilm at the Family History Library. There are few indexes, but some 1855 schedules are being indexed.

The state archives has a name index to the 1925 census schedules for Albany County. Indexes for the 1892 census have been transferred to the Albany County Hall of Records, 250 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207.

The records for some counties are missing, as indicated below:

1855 Census--Missing Clinton, Dutchess, Genesee, Hamilton, Putnam, Queens, St. Lawrence, Seneca, Suffolk, Tompkins, Westchester, and Wyoming counties.

1865 Census--Missing Clinton, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, New York, Putnam, Queens, Seneca, Westchester, and Wyoming counties.

1875 Census--Missing Chemung, Clinton, Hamilton, New York, Putnam, Queens, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. (Note that the records are arranged by town names.) See FHL films 895248, 895249, 895250, and 892398.

1892 Census--Missing Chenango, Columbia, Franklin, Fulton, Jefferson, Livingston, New York, Oneida, Putnam, Richmond, St. Lawrence, Seneca, Schuyler, Sullivan, Westchester, and Wyoming counties. The available counties can be found on  FamilySearch Record Search - Pilot Site

1905 Census--Missing Livingston, Oneida, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, and Wyoming counties.

Content of State Census Records
State censuses are a little more informative than federal censuses. The 1845 census lists the birthplace in one of several categories, such as born in New York, New England, Latin America, British Empire, France, or Germany. Censuses beginning in 1855 give the names of all people in the household and their age and state of birth. The 1855 through 1875 censuses list the New York county where a person was born, relationship to the head of household, age, years of residency in the city or town (1855 only), and many other items.

The 1865 census tells how many children each parent had and the number of times each parent was married. Both the 1865 and 1875 censuses have schedules for marriages and deaths within the year. The 1892 census only lists name, sex, color, age, country of birth, whether or not a U.S. citizen, and occupation.

The 1915 and 1925 censuses give detailed information about each member of the household, including street address, name, relation to the head of family, color, sex, age, birthplace, number of years in United States, whether citizen or alien, when and where naturalized (1925), and occupation.

How to Find State Census Records
Microfilm copies of all surviving New York state censuses are at the state library and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Manuscript copies for 1915 and 1925 are at the state archives. The staff will not search these unindexed records for you. All state censuses, except those for 1865 Suffolk county are available on microfilm at the Family History Library. You can find the film numbers in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, [COUNTY] - CENSUS.

The Family History Library has street indexes for the 1905, 1915, and 1925 Manhattan censuses (Family History Library 36 films). These are listed in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, NEW YORK - CENSUS - [YEAR]. The library also has a manuscript street index to the 1915 Brooklyn census, 1915 Queens census, and 1925 Queens census. 1925 census maps showing assembly and election district boundaries are available on microfiche for New York City (fiche 6088624), Buffalo (fiche 6088619), Rochester (fiche 6088627), and some other cities. More information on New York census records is in:


 * Marilyn Douglas and Melinda Yates, New York State Census Records, 1790–1925, Bibliography Bulletin 88 (Albany, New York: The State Education Department, 1981; Family History Library book 974.7 A1 number 72).
 * Buckway, G. Eileen. U.S. State and Special Census Register. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1992. (Family History Library book 973 X2be; fiche 6104851-52.)

Territorial Censuses
New York does not have a territorial census, because it was never a territory.

Web Sites
Ancestry: http://www.ancestry.com

Heritage Quest Online: http://www.heritagequestonline.com

Census Online: http://www.census-online.com/links/NY/

Genealogy Today: http://dir.genealogytoday.com/usa/ny/census.html

Access Genealogy: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/census/newyork.htm

Mortality Schedules: http://mortalityschedules.com/

New York Genealogy Census Records: http://www.newyork-genealogy.com/New-York-Census-Records.cfm