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US Census and American Community Survey

Information on the US Census, American Community Survey: History, data, mapping, and more.

Genealogy

Tracing Your Family History with U.S. Census Records

U.S. Census records are invaluable tools for genealogists and family historians. They provide snapshots of individuals and households across decades, offering insights into ancestry, occupations, migration patterns, and more.

Key Resources:

Accessing Records:

  • Online Databases: Many public libraries offer free access to subscription-based genealogy websites like Ancestry.com or HeritageQuest.
  • Age Search Service: For personal census records not yet publicly released (less than 72 years old), individuals or legal heirs can request information through the Census Bureau's Age Search service.

By leveraging these resources, you can uncover rich details about your family's past and build a comprehensive family history.

Finding Historical Census Records with HeritageQuest

Finding Historical Census Records with HeritageQuest

HeritageQuest Online (Library Edition) is a research tool that lets you search actual historical U.S. Census records—great for locating individual people or households in the Census from 1790 to 1950.

Use it to:

  • Find individuals in historical census population schedules
  • Search by name, location, age, birthplace, and more
  • View scanned images of original census pages
  • Track family members across multiple census years

Getting Started:

  1. Visit HeritageQuest Online and sign in with your UWM credentials.
  2. Click on “Census” to begin a search by name or location.
  3. Use filters (year, state, age range, etc.) to narrow your results.
  4. Click on records to view the original census page and transcription.

Pro Tip: If you can't find someone, try alternate spellings or a wider date range. Spelling wasn't always consistent in historical records!

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