Since 1790 a Federal Census has been taken, by law, every 10 years, therefore it’s called a decennial census. Most of the 1890 census' population schedules were badly damaged by a fire in the Commerce Department Building, Washington, D.C. in January 1921.By law, the census is “sealed” to the public for 72 years” – as such, the latest available Census anyone can see today is the 1940 census released as public information in 2012. The 1940 census was taken in April, 1940. The last Federal Census was taken in 2010.In addition, a few States disputed the Federal Census since it is used to determine the number of Representatives each State can send to the House of Representatives in Washington, taxes, Federal programs in the State, etc. Some States took their own Census’s on “off years” usually 5 years after. New York was one such State that took a State Census in 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915 and 1925. Below are the corresponding years for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan:Minnesota: 1849-50, 1853, 1855, *1857, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905. *This census was taken for Statehood qualification. Many people were double-counted to inflate or “doctor” up the census for an artificially high population.Michigan: 1884, 1894. Wisconsin: 1836, 1838, 1842, 1846, 1847, 1855, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905.
Implementation
The federal censuses were conducted by specially hired and trained census-takers (enumerators) who went door-to-door interviewing the people within their district asking the questions stated in the questionnaire. Not all people within a household had necessarily to answer the questions; it was enough if one person answered for everyone in the household, for example the wife if the husband was at work. Today, the majority of households are counted by mailed questionnaires.The agency responsible for the census is the United States Census Bureau.The image to the right shows an enumerator with a census questionnaire interviewing a woman for the 1940 census. The image is from the United States Census Bureau.The questions asked in the censuses have varied over timeThe questionnaires did not have the citizen’s names and addresses preprinted on the sheets; they were added during the interview. Since the name of people weren't of main interest but the answers to the questions were (for statistical use) the spelling of names might be less than correct, especially if the census taker wasn’t familiar with the naming practice of immigrant's names, for example Swedish names. You have to be aware of this when browsing through a respective census for a specific name.The census taking took about two weeks to conduct.Between 1790 and 1870 the duty of collecting census data fell upon the U.S. Marshals. During the early censuses, U.S. Marshalls received little training or instruction on how to collect census data. It was not until 1830 that marshals even received printed schedules on which to record households' responses.Beginning with the 1880 census, specially hired and trained census-takers replaced the U.S. marshals. Door-to-door census by temporary census-takers (enumerators) was the primary method of conducting the census until the U.S. Census Bureau began mailing questionnaires to households in 1960.
Rules and instructions
The census takers, the enumerators, had anidentity card as a means of identification. Census takers were forbidden to ask any questions other than the ones stated in the questionnaire. Census takers were not allowed to combine their work as enumerator with any occupation, such as collecting information for directory publishers, soliciting subscriptions to newspapers or magazines, or selling or advertising any article whatever. Citizens were obliged to answer (truthfully) all questions asked in the questionnaire; there were a penalty provided in section 23 of the Census Act for refusal to give the information requested.Census information was strictly confidential and not available to any person except sworn census employees, it is to be used only for statistical purposes. Census takers were forbidden to communicate with any person who was not a sworn census employee regarding any information obtained in the discharge of their official duties. By not doing so they would render themselves liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or to both fine and imprisonment.When the census takers were interviewing immigrants who didn’t speak English or a language the census taker didn’t speak they had the right to be assisted by interpreters or by neighbors speaking the same foreign language.All members of a household had to be entered in the questionnaire but if a member of a household wasn’t at home others in the household had the right to answer in their absence. The census takers were instructed to ask if there were members of the household not present during the interview. If no one in the household was at home when the census taker knocked on the door they were instructed to return on another occasion. The above instructions are from the 1920 census.The name of the street was noted vertically to the far left on the questionnaire. In the example below from the 1920 census in New York City we find “60 St” (60th Street) to the left of the first column.
Result
According to the 1900 Census there were 76,212,168 people in the United States. This was an increase of 21% compared to the 1890 census. In the conducting of the 1900 Census 52,871 enumerators were used which gives an average of 1,441 interviewed people per enumerator.According to the 1910 Census there were 92,228,496 people in the United States. This was an increase of 21% compared to the 1900 census. In the conducting of the 1910 Census 70,286 enumerators were used which gives an average of 1,312 interviewed people per enumerator.
In the column “Color or Race”: enumerators were to enter "W" for White, "B" for Black, "Mu" for Mulatto, "Ch" for Chinese, "Jp" for Japanese, "In" for American Indian eller "Ot" for other races.In the column “Single, married, widowed, or divorced“: enumerators were to enter "S" for single, "Wd" for widowed, "D" for divorced, "M1" for married persons in their first marriage, and "M2" for those married persons in their second or subsequent marriage.The codes above are from the 1920 Census.
Example of a census from 1920, New York County (Manhattan)
Above is a filled census questionnaire from the 1920 Census, New York City. This census was conducted in January 1920.The sheet to left was taken on 60th Street, Manhattan.
Above, The header on the above census questionnaire.
Above, Example of column headings.
Above, In line 34 we find Per Hilmer Johansson or rather Peter H. Johnson which was his name in the USA. "35" is his age and "1904" the year he arrived in the USA. Questions 2 - 15 are shown in the extract to the left.
Above, Further to the right in line 34 we see Per Hilmer Johansson's information about country of birth and mother tongue for himself as well as his parents. It says Sweden respectively Swedish. Questions 19 - 24 are shown in the extract to the left.
Questions Asked in the 1920 Census
According to the 1920 Census there were 106,021,537 people in the United States. This was an increase of 15% compared to the 1910 census. In the conducting of the 1920 Census 87,234 enumerators were used which gives an average of 1,215 interviewed people per enumerator.
Example of a Census from 1940, Bronx County, New York City
Above, The header on the above census questionnaire.
Above is a filled census questionnaire from the 1940 Censusin The Bronx, New York City.This census was conducted in April 1940. The sheet above was taken on Research Avenue, The Bronx.
Above, In the 1940 Census we find Per Hilmer Johansson (Peter H. Johnson) with family in lines 49 - 51. Here we have Peter H. with his second wife, Ellen. Her name is misspelt "Emmen" though. Ellen was also from Sweden as we can see in the sheet. We also see Per Hilmer's son from his first marriage, Peter C, who was born in New York."55" is Hilmer's age in 1940. "1510" in the first column is the street number (Research Avenue).Questions 1 - 15 are shown in the extract to the left.
Above, Example of column headings. The lines in column 7 just before the given names are repeat signs, i.e. these two people have the same surname as the preceding person, in this case in the previous sheet.
Above, In the 1940 Census not all questions were asked every citizen. All interviewed had to answer a basic set of questions but a few people per questionnaire also had to answer a few additional questions, the so-called supplementary questions. In this example the people in line 55 and line 68 had to answer these additional questions. Among the supplementary questions we see to the left were parent’s place of birth and mother tongue.The supplementary questions were at the bottom of the sheet.
Questions Asked in the 1940 Census
Questions asked in the 1940 Census. Questions 1 - 23.
Questions asked in the 1940 Census. Questions 24 - 34.
Questions asked in the 1940 Census. Questions 35 - 50, supplementary questions.
In column 10 “Color or Race”: the enumerators were to enter W for White, Neg for Negro, In for Indian, Chi for Chinese, Jp for Japanese, Fil for Filipino, Hin for Hindu and Kor for Korean.In column 16 ”Citizenship of the Foreign Born”: the enumerators were to enter Na for Naturalized, Pa for Having First Papers, Al for Alien and Am Cit for American Citizen Born Abroad.According to the 1940 Census there were 132,164,569 people in the United States. This was an increase of 7.3% compared to the 1930 census. In the conducting of the 1940 Census 123,069 enumerators were used which gives an average of 1,074 interviewed people per enumerator. A special thanks to Mr. Peter C. Johnson, New York City who has helped me with the censuses!
Since 1790 a Federal Census has been taken, by law, every 10 years, therefore it’s called a decennial census. Most of the 1890 census' population schedules were badly damaged by a fire in the Commerce Department Building, Washington, D.C. in January 1921.By law, the census is “sealed” to the public for 72 years” – as such, the latest available Census anyone can see today is the 1940 census released as public information in 2012. The 1940 census was taken in April, 1940. The last Federal Census was taken in 2010.In addition, a few States disputed the Federal Census since it is used to determine the number of Representatives each State can send to the House of Representatives in Washington, taxes, Federal programs in the State, etc. Some States took their own Census’s on “off years” usually 5 years after. New York was one such State that took a State Census in 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915 and 1925. Below are the corresponding years for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan:Minnesota: 1849-50, 1853, 1855, *1857, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905. *This census was taken for Statehood qualification. Many people were double-counted to inflate or “doctor” up the census for an artificially high population.Michigan: 1884, 1894. Wisconsin: 1836, 1838, 1842, 1846, 1847, 1855, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905.
Implementation
The federal censuses were conducted by specially hired and trained census-takers (enumerators) who went door-to-door interviewing the peoplewithin their district asking the questions stated in the questionnaire. Not all people within a household had necessarily to answer the questions; it was enough if one person answered for everyone in the household, for example the wife if the husband was at work. Today, the majority of households are counted by mailed questionnaires.The agency responsible for the census is the United States Census Bureau.The image to the right shows an enumerator with a census questionnaire interviewing a woman for the 1940 census. The image is from the United States Census Bureau.The questions asked in the censuses have varied over timeThe questionnaires did not have the citizen’s names and addresses preprinted on the sheets; they were added during the interview. Since the name of people weren't of main interest but the answers to the questions were (for statistical use) the spelling of names might be less than correct, especially if the census taker wasn’t familiar with the naming practice of immigrant's names, for example Swedish names. You have to be aware of this when browsing through a respective census for a specific name.The census taking took about two weeks to conduct.Between 1790 and 1870 the duty of collecting census data fell upon the U.S. Marshals. During the early censuses, U.S. Marshalls received little training or instruction on how to collect census data. It was not until 1830 that marshals even received printed schedules on which to record households' responses.Beginning with the 1880 census, specially hired and trained census-takers replaced the U.S. marshals. Door-to-door census by temporary census-takers (enumerators) was the primary method of conducting the census until the U.S. Census Bureau began mailing questionnaires to households in 1960.
Rules and instructions
The census takers, the enumerators, had anidentity card as a means of identification. Census takers were forbidden to ask any questions other than the ones stated in the questionnaire. Census takers were not allowed to combine their work as enumerator with any occupation, such as collecting information for directory publishers, soliciting subscriptions to newspapers or magazines, or selling or advertising any article whatever. Citizens were obliged to answer (truthfully) all questions asked in the questionnaire; there were a penalty provided in section 23 of the Census Act for refusal to give the information requested.Census information was strictly confidential and not available to any person except sworn census employees, it is to be used only for statistical purposes. Census takers were forbidden to communicate with any person who was not a sworn census employee regarding any information obtained in the discharge of their official duties. By not doing so they would render themselves liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or to both fine and imprisonment.When the census takers were interviewing immigrants who didn’t speak English or a language the census taker didn’t speak they had the right to be assisted by interpreters or by neighbors speaking the same foreign language.All members of a household had to be entered in the questionnaire but if a member of a household wasn’t at home others in the household had the right to answer in their absence. The census takers were instructed to ask if there were members of the household not present during the interview. If no one in the household was at home when the census taker knocked on the door they were instructed to return on another occasion. The above instructions are from the 1920 census.The name of the street was noted vertically to the far left on the questionnaire. In the example below from the 1920 census in New York City we find “60 St” (60th Street) to the left of the first column.
Result
According to the 1900 Census there were 76,212,168 people in the United States. This was an increase of 21% compared to the 1890 census. In the conducting of the 1900 Census 52,871 enumerators were used which gives an average of 1,441 interviewed people per enumerator.According to the 1910 Census there were 92,228,496 people in the United States. This was an increase of 21% compared to the 1900 census. In the conducting of the 1910 Census 70,286 enumerators were used which gives an average of 1,312 interviewed people per enumerator.
Conducted Census and Dates
The Emigration from
Sweden to the USA (7b)
Questions Asked in the 1900 Census
Questions Asked in the 1910 Census
In the column “Color or Race”: enumerators were to enter "W" for White, "B" for Black, "Mu" for Mulatto, "Ch" for Chinese, "Jp" for Japanese, "In" for American Indian eller "Ot" for other races.In the column “Single, married, widowed, or divorced“: enumerators were to enter "S" for single, "Wd" for widowed, "D" for divorced, "M1" for married persons in their first marriage, and "M2" for those married persons in their second or subsequent marriage.The codes above are from the 1920 Census.
Example of a census from 1920, New York
County (Manhattan)
Above is a filled census questionnaire from the 1920 Census, New York City. This census was conducted in January 1920.The sheet to left was taken on 60th Street, Manhattan.
Above, The header on the above census questionnaire.
Above, Example of column headings.
Above, In line 34 we find Per Hilmer Johansson or rather Peter H. Johnson which was his name in the USA. "35" is his age and "1904" the year he arrived in the USA. Questions 2 - 15 are shown in the extract to the left.
Above, Further to the right in line 34 we see Per Hilmer Johansson's information about country of birth and mother tongue for himself as well as his parents. It says Sweden respectively Swedish. Questions 19 - 24 are shown in the extract to the left.
Questions Asked in the 1920 Census
According to the 1920 Census there were 106,021,537 people in the United States. This was an increase of 15% compared to the 1910 census. In the conducting of the 1920 Census 87,234 enumerators were used which gives an average of 1,215 interviewed people per enumerator.
Example of a Census from 1940, Bronx
County, New York City
Above, The header on the above census questionnaire.
Above is a filled census questionnaire from the 1940 Censusin The Bronx, New York City.This census was conducted in April 1940. The sheet above was taken on Research Avenue, The Bronx.
Above, In the 1940 Census we find Per Hilmer Johansson (Peter H. Johnson) with family in lines 49 - 51. Here we have Peter H. with his second wife, Ellen. Her name is misspelt "Emmen" though. Ellen was also from Sweden as we can see in the sheet. We also see Per Hilmer's son from his first marriage, Peter C, who was born in New York."55" is Hilmer's age in 1940. "1510" in the first column is the street number (Research Avenue).Questions 1 - 15 are shown in the extract to the left.
Above, Example of column headings. The lines in column 7 just before the given names are repeat signs, i.e. these two people have the same surname as the preceding person, in this case in the previous sheet.
Above, In the 1940 Census not all questions were asked every citizen. All interviewed had to answer a basic set of questions but a few people per questionnaire also had to answer a few additional questions, the so-called supplementary questions. In this example the people in line 55 and line 68 had to answer these additional questions. Among the supplementary questions we see to the left were parent’s place of birth and mother tongue.The supplementary questions were at the bottom of the sheet.
Questions Asked in the 1940 Census
Questions asked in the 1940 Census. Questions 1 - 23.
Questions asked in the 1940 Census. Questions 24 - 34.
Questions asked in the 1940 Census. Questions 35 - 50, supplementary questions.
In column 10 “Color or Race”: the enumerators were to enter W for White, Neg for Negro, In for Indian, Chi for Chinese, Jp for Japanese, Fil for Filipino, Hin for Hindu and Kor for Korean.In column 16 ”Citizenship of the Foreign Born”: the enumerators were to enter Na for Naturalized, Pa for Having First Papers, Al for Alien and Am Cit for American Citizen Born Abroad.According to the 1940 Census there were 132,164,569 people in the United States. This was an increase of 7.3% compared to the 1930 census. In the conducting of the 1940 Census 123,069 enumerators were used which gives an average of 1,074 interviewed people per enumerator. A special thanks to Mr. Peter C. Johnson, New York City who has helped me with the censuses!
