djo@sdchema.UUCP (Denise O'jibway) (08/01/85)
Does anyone know how to access census records? Is there an address I can write to? Most county records don't go beyond ~1850. If not census records, what other sources are there for information in the early 19th century. There must be war records. Does anyone know where to write for them? I have ancestors that came from Canada into the U.S. I know they were from Ontario and Quebec. Can anyone give me a list of counties/townships or whatever their canadian equivalents are called? Thank you. Denise O'Jibway - La Jolla, California djo@CHEM.UCSD.ARPA
bennison@algol.DEC (Victor Bennison - DTN 381-2156) (08/05/85)
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Denise,
American census records began in 1790 and were taken every ten years
thenceforward. From 1790 thru 1840 only the head of household was named
along with numbers of occupants (not necessarily family members) falling
in certain age groups. From 1850 on, the census records contain the names
of all the household members, their ages, occupations, and state or
country of birth. In Canada, the first census was in 1831, then 1842,
1851, and every ten years thenceforward. The 1851 census was the first
to list everyone in the household.
American census records can be found in many places. All the branch
offices of the National Archives have complete census records on microfilm,
up to the 1911 census. I'm sure there is one in California (probably
around LA or SF). Call the National Archives in Washington to find out
where. Many libraries have collections of census record microfilms, though
usually not complete. The Mormons probably have complete sets, though I've
never looked in their card catalog to see since I have an archives branch
near me. Find out where your nearest Mormon library is and find out how
to order microfilms from them (2 or 3 dollars per film). The nice thing
about the archive branch offices is they usually have libraries of published
indices to the censuses.
I have little experience with Canadian census records. You should
write to the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa, and ask about access to
census records. Also find out what the Mormons have. As for the counties
or Ontario and Quebec, if you look around in libraries or bookstores you
should find maps that show or list the county divisions of those provinces.
If you write the Canadian tourist bureau, they will send you maps with
county divisions. Also, AAA has Canadian maps with counties delineated.
Always remember that county lines have changed dramatically since 1790.
I forgot to mention that the Mormons have copies of the AIS microfiche
census index series. I don't know if all Mormon libraries have them, but
at least some of them do. It only covers US censuses, and doesn't have much
after 1850, but it is very strong from 1790 to 1850. It also includes some
other kinds of records, such as tax lists, but not in any complete way.
You also asked what other records exist. Many different kinds. Land
records, cemetery records, wills, tax lists, newspaper birth, marriage, and
death notices, war records, pension records, etc. You should really get
a copy of the "Handy Book for Genealogists" from Everton Publishers in
Logan, Utah. Again, the Mormons have microfilmed many of these records, and
you can order the films from them. You have to view them at one of their
branch libraries. All Mormon branch libraries contain the microfiche
International Genealogical Index (IGI) which contains (as I recall)
80,000,000 records, mostly birth and marriage records, from all over the
world, but strongest in US and England. It is a wonderful resource, and
totally free to use.
I hope I've been of some help.
Vick Bennison
...decvax!decwrl!rhea!tools!bennison
(603) 881-2156