The 1790 census was begun August 2, 1790. The marshals were expected to finish the census within nine months of the Census Day –by May 1, 1791. Although most of the returns were in long before the deadline, Congress had to extend the count until March 1 1792. By that time some people were probably counted who had not been born or present by 1790.

Some of the Questions asked in the 1790 Census. Name of family head; number of free white males of sixteen years and older; number of free white males under the age of sixteen; number of free white females; number of slaves; number of other persons; and sometime the town or district of residence.

The 1790 census instructed the marshals to identify, by age brackets, free white males sixteen years of age or older and those under sixteen. It was designed to determine the country’s industrial and military capabilities. Additionally, the first census was to count the number of free white females; all other free persons regardless of race or gender, and slaves. A twenty-dollar fine, to be split between the marshals’ assistants and the government, would be levied against anyone who refused to answer the questions.

Other Facts about the 1790 Census. The constitution called for a census of all "Persons…. excluding Indians not taxed" for the purpose of apportioning seats in the House of Representatives and assessing direct federal taxes. The "Indians not taxed" were those not living in the settled areas. I later years, Native Americans everywhere were considered part of the total population, but not all were included in the apportionment figures until 1940.

The government did not provide printed forms or even paper until 1830. It was up to each assistant to copy his census return on whatever paper he could find and post it in two public places in his assigned area. Those who saw and could read them were supposed to check for mistakes, discrepancies and people not counted. The highest pay rate, two cents per person, barely covered expenses, especially since the settlers were scattered in remote areas that were hard to find or get to.

The jurisdictions of the thirteen original states stretched over an area of seventeen present-day states. Census schedules survive for only two-thirds of those states. The surviving schedules were indexed by state and published by the Bureau of the Census in the early 1900s. Bureau of the Census, Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790, 12 volumes (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1908), can be found in most research libraries.

Both the original, and printed 1790 census schedules are on microfilm for Connecticut, Maine (which was then a part of Massachusetts), Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Caroling, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont. The schedules for Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia were burned during the War of 1812. (There are substitutes for most of these) Published and microfilmed 1790 schedules for Virginia were reconstructed from state enumerations and tax list.

Because of the availability of the printed 1790 census schedules, researchers sometime overlook the importance of consulting the original schedules, which are available on microfilm. In most cases, the researcher who depends on printed transcripts may miss important information and clues that can be found only in the original version.

The 1790 census records are most helpful for identifying the locality to be searched for other types of records for a named individual. The 1790 census will, in most cases, help distinguish the target family from others of the same name, identify immediate neighbors who may be related, identify slaveholders, and spot spelling variations of surnames. Free men "of color" are listed as heads of household by name. Slaves appear in age groupings by the name of the owner. By combining those age groupings with probate inventories and tax list, it is sometimes possible to find names of other family members and the birth order.

Transcribed by Sallie Gargis

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