04/09/2026
C is for Census
Census records are some of the most useful tools for tracking families over time. In the United States, federal censuses have been taken every ten years since 1790, and census records through 1950 are currently available to the public. The information collected has grown richer over time — early censuses listed only the head of household by name, while later ones recorded every family member along with ages, birthplaces, occupations, relationships, and much more.
Maryland researchers have access to a particularly valuable supplement to the federal census series: the state census of 1776, which predates the first federal census by 14 years. Known as the 1776 Census of Maryland, it lists heads of household and can serve as a useful resource for researchers tracing families in the colonial and early national periods. These records are held by the Maryland State Archives and are available through their online digital collections.
One important note for all researchers: the 1890 federal census was almost entirely destroyed in a 1921 fire, leaving a frustrating gap in the record. Knowing this helps explain why an ancestor who appears in 1880 seems to vanish — and points you toward substitute records like city directories, state censuses, and tax lists to fill the gap. Have you traced your family through multiple census years — and have you found any surprises along the way?
Tip for beginners: Always search for your ancestor in every available census year, not just one or two. Comparing entries across multiple years can reveal changes in the family that point you toward new records to search.
Tip for experienced researchers: When an ancestor is missing from a census, check for spelling variations and neighboring households — families often lived near relatives, and a missing ancestor may appear just a few entries away under an unexpected spelling of their name.
