Enrollment options

Course image American: Census Records
Basic American Records
AM-101: American: Census Records
Course Summary:

Note: This course requires compulsory materials to be ordered. 

The book(s) are available at GenealogyStore.com

Mills, Elizabeth Shown, Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian (1997; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2011). 

OR

Mills, Elizabeth Shown, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, Third Edition Revised (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2017). 

Optional Print Course Material: American: Census Records

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course is designed to give you a better understanding of the history, content, and uses of census records and related material. Much census material is available on computerized databases located in many familiar places—libraries, archives, etc. This course focuses your search for documents and information. We review common pitfalls and offer tips on how to avoid them.


Contact Hours: 18
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments
Course Length: 8 weeks
Course Content

MODULE 1
FEDERAL CENSUS 1790-1940 POPULATION SCHEDULES
Strategies for Using Census Records
A Bit of History About the Census Enumerations
Colonial Census
History of Federal Census 1790-2000
Census Schedule Availability
Slave Population Schedules for 1850-1860

MODULE 2
FEDERAL CENSUS 1790-1940 POPULATION SCHEDULES...Continued
Things to Consider About the Census
The Other Population Schedules
Finding Persons in Military Service

MODULE 3
1885 CENSUS AND NON-POPULATION SCHEDULES
Census of 1885
Non-Population Schedules
Mortality Schedules 1850-1885
Social Statistics Schedule 1850-1885
1890 Special Schedule of Union Surviving Soldiers, Soldiers,
Sailors and Widows, etc.

MODULE 4
INDEXING AND RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Census Availability
Census Indexing
Variations Between Census Indexes
Government Work: Soundex & Miracode Systems
Citing Your Sources
Scanned or Printed Images

MODULE 5
COLONIAL, STATE, TERRITORIAL & NATIVE AMERICAN/INDIAN CENSUS
Boundary Changes
Non-Federal Censuses
Native American/American Indian Census

MODULE 6
SUBSTITUTE RECORDS
Tax Lists
Voting Registers
City Directories