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The State Historical Society of Missouri
1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri 65201 | 800–747–6366 | shsofmo@umsystem.edu
Federal Population Census
The census of the United States has been taken by the federal government every ten years beginning in 1790. The National Archives in Washington, D.C. has microfilmed many of the original population schedules from 1790 to 1930. The State Historical Society of Missouri has a large collection of these microfilms: Missouri, 1830-1880, 1900-1930; all available film for most other states through 1880; and the 1900 census of Arkansas, Kansas, Oregon and Indian Territory.
The 1890 census was destroyed by fire.
The Society has the special Union Veteran schedule of 1890 for Missouri and Kentucky. This schedule lists living Union veterans of the Civil War or their widows.
Information found in Federal Population Censuses
Before 1850
- Names the heads of households, but other persons are not named, only enumerated by sex in age groups.
Beginning in 1850
- Names of all free persons are given, with age, sex, color, occupation, value of property, and birthplace (state or country).
Beginning in 1880
- Also gives the birthplace (state or country) of the mother and father of each person.
