State Census Records [Hardcover]

Ann S. Lainhart (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0806313625 | ISBN-13: 978-0806313627 | Publication Date: 1992 | Edition: 1st

State censuses rank with federal censuses as a major genealogical resource, but, because they were taken randomly, remain a much under-utilized resource in American genealogy. State censuses not only stand as substitutes for some of the missing 1790, 1800, 1810, and 1890 censuses (as well as many county and statewide enumerations lost or destroyed between 1790 and 1890) but also as valuable population enumerations in their own right. Many state censuses, for example, asked different questions than the federal census, so they record information that cannot be found elsewhere in federal schedules. Ann Lainhart's inventory of state census records is the only comprehensive list of state census records ever published. State by state, year by year, often county by county and district by district, she 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. In this way Ms. Lainhart has removed one of the last uncharted territories in American genealogy, opening up a range of fresh opportunities for the researcher.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Census, the number-one source in genealogy, is a topic in need of detailed finding aids. Nowhere is this more true than for state census records, which rank with federal census records as a major genealogical resource. Some state census records are available only in a state institution, while others exist on microfilm. Some microfilmed records can be obtained on inter library loan from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Lainhart's inventory of state census records untangles the availability of state census information with the most comprehensive list ever published. Until now, we have relied on Henry J. Dubester's pioneering booklet, State Census: An Annotated Bibliography of Censuses of Population Taken After the Year 1790 by States and Territories of the United States (1948), and several articles. Lainhart's book lists for each state what is available, where it is located, and what kind of data are included. By adding a new and welcome dimension to the census research process, his book is an essential acquisition for institutions and individuals engaged in census research. While genealogists will find the book invaluable, it should also have broad appeal to social science researchers, lawyers, demographers, and others.
- Judith P. Reid, Library of Congress
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 116 pages
• Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Company; 1st edition (1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806313625
• ISBN-13: 978-0806313627
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Education & Reference > Genealogy > Online Research
  • #40 in Books > Education & Reference > Publishing & Books > Bibliographies & Indexes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHEN they were taken, WHAT they asked, & WHERE to find them., September 5, 2000

By 

Mark Howells (Puyallup, Washington State, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: State Census Records (Hardcover)

Once a family historian has exhausted all Federal census records and worked through all the vital records available to them, they must use alternate sources to hunt their elusive ancestors.

State census records are one of the under-utilized alternate sources for American genealogical research and Ann Lainhart's book is designed to make finding state census records easier.

Organized on a state-by-state basis, "State Census Records" tells you for each state WHEN non-Federal censuses were conducted. In cases where the state censuses did not cover the entire state, the counties which were included are listed.

The book describes WHAT questions were asked by that particular census so that a researcher may estimate the research value of each.

Finally and most importantly, "State Census Records" tells you where these censuses are available: various state archives, the Family History Library and its associated Centers, other libraries, or in published form. Publication information for printed census records is given in full.

If you have ancestors who moved around the United States between the decennial Federal censuses, this book is the essential reference you require to figure out where to look next for them.

There are other benefits in using state censuses as well. They asked questions different from those on the Federal censuses - some of which are genealogical gold mines. For example, one Iowa census asked for mother's maiden name. State census records may not be restricted by the 72-year closure rules that apply to the Federal censuses. Some state censuses taken as recent as the 1940s are already available.

Perhaps the most common reason that state censuses are consulted is due to the near-complete loss of the 1890 Federal census. There were, however, many state & territorial censuses taken in the years 1885, 1892, and 1895 which can help make up for this loss of the Federal census.

"State Census Records" is one of the primary reference works for American genealogy. It is the only work of its kind to provide a guide to the diverse records of state censuses.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Information on Lesser Known Materials, July 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: State Census Records (Hardcover)

While there are other books on the market concerning census records, Ann S. Lainhart's "State Census Records" is an excellent and reliable resource. She provides detailed listings of all state and territorial census records that were taken, what is still available, the format in the records are stored, and where to locate them. Her compilation is accurate (as opposed to the numerous errors in Thomas Kemp's new book) and thorough, and the price ($17.00) is right for a book you will refer to from time to time. A good book and a good buy.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What more does the previous reviewer want?, November 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: State Census Records (Hardcover)

A previous reviewer states that she "didn't buy this item as it wasn't specific enough. There was no description of which states, or year of Census included."

The book description states very clearly what's included:
"State by state, year by year, often county by county and district by district, she 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."

This is not a book of actual state censuses, which should be thouroughly obvious from the book description, the price, and the fact that it is only 116 pages. This is, instead, a finding aid to help researchers see what state census info may be available for their areas of interest. A resource like this is very valuable to genealogists and other researchers, who then know whether a census may be available through LDS or other libraries/archives.