New York Census

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; FHL 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. (FHL 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. (FHL 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. (FHL film 1550750.) Index in Volume 2.

Federal Censuses
Population Schedules. 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, and 1920. 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.

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.

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

The 1890 census (except the returns for Eastchester, Westchester County and Brookhaven, Suffolk County) was destroyed. However, 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. Fortunately, 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 FHL 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. The microfilm number of each volume is listed in the Family History Library Catalog.

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 (FHL compact disc number 9 part 287). The compact disc including the 1870 Manhattan (New York County) index is for the first enumeration. 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 (see the "Directories" section of this outline). Then look for that address on the original census schedules.

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. (FHL 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. (FHL book 974.71/N1 X2p 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 FHL 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. (FHL book 973 X2bu 1910; fiche 6101340.) Lists New York towns (or wards) with their 1910 census enumeration district numbers and FHL 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 FHL 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 FHL 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. (FHL book 973 X2str 1910; fiche 6104151.)  Lists Queens County street addresses with their corresponding page numbers, 1910 census enumeration district numbers, and FHL film numbers.

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


 * 1830 FHL film 1402857 item 1
 * 1840 FHL film 1402857 item 2
 * 1850 FHL film 1402858 item 1
 * 1860 FHL film 1402858 item 2
 * 1870 FHL film 1402859
 * 1880 FHL film 1402862
 * 1900 FHL film 1303024–25
 * 1910 FHL film 1374008
 * 1920 FHL film 1842712–13

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.

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 (FHL films 1415128–42) and the National Archives in Washington, DC.

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. Other libraries also have microfilm copies.

Master Indexes. Some of the indexes mentioned above are combined into one master index of several census years, states, and census types:

FamilyFinder™ Index and Viewer: Version 4.0. [Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 1997. (FHL compact disc number 9 1997 index. Not available at Family History Centers. FamilyFinder is a trademark of Brøderbund Software, Incorporated.) A master index to the New York 1790–1860 federal censuses and the 1870 census of Kings County, New York County (Manhattan) first enumeration, Queens County, Richmond County, and Suffolk County. Also includes the Valley Quarterlies index of four New York family history periodicals.

The FamilyFinder Index includes the following indexes by Ronald Vern Jackson:

Jackson, Ronald Vern. AIS Microfiche Indexes of U.S. Census and Other Records. Bountiful, Utah: Accelerated Indexing Systems International, 1984. (No FHL fiche number but available at many Family History Centers.) New York censuses for 1790, 1800, and 1810 are combined together on Search 1. Separate New York 1820, 1830, 1840, and 1850 indexes are on other searches.

Alphabetical census abstracts for the New York City Children's Aid Society 1855–1920 and for the Foundling Hospital 1870–1925 are found in the "Orphans and Orphanages" section of this outline.

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 and is published as Kenneth Scott, compiler, New York State Census of Albany County Towns in 1790 (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1975; FHL 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. Missing Clinton, Dutchess, Genesee, Hamilton, Putnam, Queens, St. Lawrence, Seneca, Suffolk, Tompkins, Westchester, and Wyoming counties.

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

1875. Missing Chemung, Clinton, Hamilton, New York, Putnam, Queens, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, and Westchester counties.

1892. Missing Chenango, Columbia, Franklin, Fulton, Jefferson, Livingston, New York, Oneida, Putnam, Richmond, St. Lawrence, Seneca, Schuyler, Sullivan, Westchester, and Wyoming counties.

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

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.

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 (FHL 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; FHL book 974.7 A1 number 72).

Microfilm numbers of New York state censuses are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under New York - CENSUS - [YEAR]. They are also found in:

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. (FHL book 973 X2be; fiche 6104851-52.)