LibGuides Home: Census Materials in the Connecticut State Library Guide: 1850

U.S. Census 1850 - Seventh Decennial

Geography: Add Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin. Territories of California, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah.

1850 Census : Seventh Decennial
Census Bureau's landing page for the 1850 decennial census. Includes links to: official publications; 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).
more...less...
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."
1850 Census : Overview
U.S. Census Bureau's overview of 1850 U.S. Census, including authoring legislation, enumeration and links to the data.
1850 Census : Schedule
U.S. Census Bureau displays an image of census schedule to show the questions asked.

U.S. Census 1850 - Connecticut Information

1850 Census Data for Connecticut

Location of Connecticut Information included in the 1850 United States Decennial Census.

Available for these geographic areas:

State
County
Town

Boundaries of geographic areas may be determined using a combination of Census Descriptions of Geographic Subdivisions and Enumeration Districts, (a microfilm set kept in the Newspaper Room at the State Library, call number F93 .U5 1978, reel 2) and town maps. (Note that not all data is available for all geographic areas).

The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850. Embracing a statistical view of each of the States and Territories, arranged by counties, towns, etc...with an introduction, embracing the aggregate tables for the Untied States compared with every previous census since 1790
- CSL Fed Docs I 8.5:1
- CT begins on pg. 75
Statistical View of the United States Census...being a Compendium of the Seventh Census.
- CSL Fed Docs I 8.2:C 73/1
- CT data throughout volume
Report of the Superintendent of the Census for Dec. 1, 1852. (Cover title: Abstract of the Seventh Census)
- CSL Fed Docs I 8.1:852
- CT data throughout volume
Mortality Statistics of the Seventh Census of the United States, 1850.
- CSL Fed Docs I 8.5:2/reprint
- CT on pp. 58-61

1850 Census of the United States : 7th census, 1850, Deep River, Connecticut
From Deep River Public Library

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
more...less...
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
more...less...
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."