LibGuides Home: Census Materials in the Connecticut State Library Guide: 1790

U.S. Census 1790 - First Decennial Census

Geography: 13 original states plus Kentucky, Maine, Vermont, and Western Territories (Tennessee)

1790 Census - First Decennial
Census Bureau's landing page for the 1790 decennial census. Includes links to: official publications for 1790; census procedures; background information; and more.
Use link to official publications to find online versions of publications listed below (you may need to look by publication year).
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Site: "This section follows the evolution of the decennial census by detailing the events surrounding each of them. Political and technological changes, and the shifting public demand for information, have all shaped the modern census and the mission of the Census Bureau."
Census 1790 Overview
U.S. Census Bureau's overview of 1790 U.S. Census, including authoring legislation, enumeration and links to the data.
1790 Census : Hathi Trust
Return of the whole number of persons within the several districts of the United States, according to "An act providing for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States". passed March the first, one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
1790 Census : Heads of families at the first census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790 ...
1790 Census (1st) : List of free Black heads of families in the first census of the United States, 1790. Compiled by Deborah L. Newman.
From HathiTrust
1790 Census : Schedule (PDF 844KB)
U.S. Census Bureau displays an image of census schedule to show the questions asked.

U.S. Census 1790

1790 Census Data for Connecticut

Location of Connecticut Information included in the 1790 United States Census.

Available for these geographic areas:

State
County
Town (can be calculated using Heads of Families at the First Census).

(NOTE: not all data is available for all geographic areas)

Return of the Whole Number of Persons within the Several Districts of the United States
- Fed Docs I 2.5: 1/reprint
- Connecticut begins on page 35
Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Connecticut
- History Reference and also F93 .U55 1908
Population schedules of the first census of the United States, 1790. Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire [microform] by United States. Census Office
- StLib Newspaper Room F3 .U55 1960 reel 1 LIB USE ONLY Microfilm
- Publication Date: 1960
- Microfilm is in the Newspaper room
Population schedules of the first census of the United States, 1790, Connecticut [microform] by United States. Census Office
- Call Number: Newspaper Room F93 .U551 1965 reel 1 LIB USE ONLY Microfilm
- Publication Date: 1965

Census Questions & Instructions

Measuring America by Jason G. Gauthier "Discusses each decennial census conducted by the Census Bureau from 1790 to 2000, with reproductions and analyses of the questionnaires for each census. A wealth of material is discussed which gives insights into life in the U.S. at the time. Chapters: census questionnaires and instructions; availability of population schedules; availability of the 1930 censuses records; finding guides; state and territorial censuses; mortality schedules; population items on principal census questionnaires; a history of the decennial censuses; and individual histories of the U.S. censuses: 1790-2000. Appendixes: U.S. population and census cost; Nat. Archives and Records Admin. branches; availability of the 11th census; and bibliography. Comprehensive!!"
Call Number: Online and Fed Doc C 3.2:M 46/2
ISBN: 0756729750
Publication Date: 2002-12-01

Census Questionnaires
Census Bureau's pages with links to the questionnaires (often called "schedules") used for each census
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Site explanation: "Since the first census in 1790, the U.S. Census Bureau has collected data using a census 'schedule,' also called a 'questionnaire.' "
Census Instructions
It is important to know, for each census, what was asked and how terms were defined in order to understand the data. These changed from census to census, so this page is an important one when beginning research.
Links to copies of the actual instructions for each U.S. Decennial Census of Population. Includes a quick overview to changes to the instructions.
200 years of U.S. census taking : population and housing questions, 1790-1990
Shelved in GIS Reference . C 3.2:T 93
or at the U.S. Census Bureau
Online available through our library catalog
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https://www.census.gov/history/pdf/200years.pdf

Census Note on Language

From the U.S. Census Bureau site (posted on several pages for historic censuses):

"A Note on Language
Census statistics date back to 1790 and reflect the growth and change of the United States. Past census reports contain some terms that today’s readers may consider obsolete and inappropriate. As part of our goal to be open and transparent with the public, we are improving access to all Census Bureau original publications and statistics, which serve as a guide to the nation's history."