State Census Records

by Ann S. Lainhart

This inventory of state census records is the first comprehensive list of state census records ever published. State by state, year by year, often county by county and district by district, the author shows the researcher what is available in state census records, when it is available, and what one might expect to find in the way of data.

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Brad Garton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best reference on State Census records. It includes accurate data on remaining State Census records, written references, and indexes. A lot of state censuses were destroyed after tabulation was completed and the statistics were collected. Those that remain can contain, valuable information, as the questions often differed from those answered at the national level. Since much of the 1890 Federal census is destroyed, State census records can be the only records available between 1880 and 1900. The other available references on these state census records (The Source, Redbook, etc.), are often incorrect. Listing census records that are not available, or missing records that are.
This book has a few introductory sections and then lists out state by state the available censuses for each state. For the states I am currently researching, this book has provided valuable information on what to look for, and where to look for records that may contain genealogical information. This is a reference book to keep handy in any exhaustive data search for your ancestor's records.

[Trishtator · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched by the author. She addresses the issue I had noticed in other sources - that there is conflicting information published about what state censuses exist - and sorted it out by contacting state archives and other record repositories. This is a handy addition to my bookshelf.