The federal census was taken every ten years, beginning with 1790. For research purposes, the population censuses can be divided into four groups: 1790-1840, 1850-1870, 1880, and 1900-1940.

Researchers should note that most of the 1890 federal census was destroyed in a fire in 1921.

In addition, the federal government considers census data confidential for seventy-two years following the census. The next available census to researchers will be the 1950 federal census in 2022.

We recommend you read more about the value of census research in Val D. Greenwood's book titled, The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, published in Baltimore, by the Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc.,1990. Chapter's 11 and 12 of his book are especially helpful.

You can also visit the National Archives web site and read more about microfilmed census records. Moreover, discover unique clues found in various federal census years 1790 - 1840 and 1850 -1930 to help further your research.
 
The value of census records cannot be understated. Used in conjunction with other Massachusetts records, such as probate, land, naturalization and vital records, researchers can assimilate entire families.

The Soundex is an index in which surnames that sound alike but are spelled differently are coded together. There is a separate microfilm publication for each state. Within each state, Soundex codes are arranged alphabetically by the first letter of the surnames and then consecutively by numerical code. Within each numerical code, individuals are arranged alphabetically by given name, and within given names, alphabetically by state of birth.

The National Archives has microfilm indexes to the 1880, 1900 and 1920 Massachusetts census.

The 1880 Soundex is only a partial index. It is limited to households in which there were children ten years of age or younger present when the census was taken.

The 1900 and 1920 Soundex includes all households in Massachusetts.


Warning!

Although a Soundex card contains some information about the household, you should not use it as a substitute for the census schedule itself. The Soundex card does not include all information on the census schedule and, in the process of preparing the Soundex, names and other information may have been transcribed incorrectly.

Another tool available to researchers is the National Archives Microfilm Collection of Census Records. This site is useful to prepare for a visit to the NAR or a regional branch of the NAR. 

By determining which specific films will be needed ahead of time, researchers can save valuable time before they arrive at a research facility.

If you'd like mass-doc.com to process a Massachusetts census record request, please go to our census order form.

Upon receiving payment, we generally ship census records within 10 - 21 business days.