Questions answered in this file

When do census records become public?

Individual U.S. federal census returns are generally released 72 years after the census was taken; before then only aggregate statistics are available.

Why do ages differ between census years?

Answers came from whoever spoke to the enumerator and were sometimes estimated or misheard, so ages and birthplaces can shift by several years between censuses.

What should I do if a family is missing from the index?

Try spelling variants and other household members, then browse the enumeration district page by page, since index and transcription errors are common.

Can census records identify relatives for DNA comparison?

They can help identify possible relatives, but any reference sample should be requested through the investigating agency or a qualified professional, never collected informally.

How do I cite a census entry?

Record the census year, state, county, enumeration district, page and line number, plus the archive or database where you viewed the page image.