United States Census 1930

Indexes and Images
at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images.

Twelve southern states have a Soundex index to their census: Alabama (Jefferson, Mobile, and Montgomery counties separate), Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

For tips locating individuals in census records see U.S. Census Searching.

Content
The 1930 Census was taken beginning 1 April 1930, [time frame?] (except Alaska, 1 Oct 1929).

The following information was recorded by the census taker: • 3

Value
The 1930 census can be used to:


 * Identify military service - military records
 * Identify date of immigration and naturalization dates
 * If there were previous marriages / marriage dates

1850-1930 Search Tips: Clues in Census Records, 1850-1940 at National Archives

Unique Features and Problems

 * 1) The 1930 used a "Crews of Vessels" schedule also called "1930 Census of Merchant Seamen"
 * 2) Date at top of each page Response to questions as of 1 Apr 1930
 * 3) Omit—children born between 1 Apr and enumeration
 * 4) Include—alive on 1 Apr 1930 but dead at enumeration
 * 5) Lists age at first marriage
 * 6) Lists if individual attended college
 * 7) Lists if the household owned a radio set
 * 8) Lists whether the individual was at work the day before the census was taken
 * 9) Lists if a veteran and which war or expedition
 * 10) Only twelve Southern states have a Soundex index: Alabama (Jefferson, Mobile, and Montgomery counties are separate), Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky (only counties of Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Kenton, Muhlenberg, Perry and Pike), Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia (only counties of Fayette, Harrison, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, and Raleigh). See Finding a Person in the 1930 Census (Even Without An Index).
 * 11) Enumerators instructed to spell out birthplaces for Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Russia, Türkiye.
 * 12) No Separate Indian schedules. Reservations enumerated in general population schedules. In place of country of birth for father, the degree of Indian blood was listed, and for country of birth of mother, the tribe was listed.
 * 13) Servicemen in duty posts.
 * 14) Enumerations District (ED) numbering altered for 52 of the 56 states/territories. County assigned number based on alpha order. ED followed the county number: i.e. 1-1, 1-23, 5-2, 1-73
 * 15) American Samoa, Guam, Panama Canal Zone, and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not use this system.
 * 16) First census to include seaman on U.S.-flag merchant vessels. 1930 Census of Merchant Seamen, NARA RG 029, M1932 (3 rolls); Alabama to Indiana, Louisiana to New York (EDs 15-34 to 24-950) , New York (EDs 24-972 to 52-55) to Wisconsin, Correspondence, reports and records . Includes name of vessel, owner and address, what port, name of seaman, state or country of birth, occupation, whether a veteran and of what war, and address of next of kin.

States and Territories Covered
The census covered all states, District of Columbia, and the Territories listed:
 * Alaska
 * American Samoa
 * Guam
 * Hawaii
 * Panama Canal Zone
 * Puerto Rico
 * U.S. Virgin Islands

Missing Records

 * No States Missing

Where to Find the Records
The 1930 Federal Census is available online.

Online


 * 1930 United States Federal Census (Ancestry) ($)
 * Census - US Federal 1930 (Fold3) ($)
 * at FamilySearch — index and images
 * For the 1930 Merchant Seamen schedules see U.S. Census Merchant Seamen.