From 1790 through 1840, the Census Population enumeration consisted of basic population counts, only requiring the name of the head of household. Then, beginning in 1850, the Census Bureau expanded questionnaires by asking the names of all free people. But, in 1810, enumerators were also asked to account for "manufacturing establishments and manufactures within their several districts, territories, and divisions" under the directions of the Secretary of the Treasury. As people were enumerated, so were manufacturers and their products. Although these establishments were undercounted, this was the beginning of the "non-population" schedules.
In 1850, the Census expanded non-population schedules related to the nation's social and more detailed economic conditions. Enumeration was conducted simultaneously with the decennial population census in the 19th century, gathering data related to special populations and groups, social institutions, health and disease, industry and manufacturing, and agriculture. The original forms can provide invaluable information to historians, sociologists, and family researchers. Also, certain schedules gauge the impact of slave labor on the nation's growth.
Non-population schedules included:
You will find more information below on this page for the different types of population and non-population schedules. This information includes historical context along with information on "where to find."
The U.S. Census of Population is the largest and most commonly known program of the U.S. Census Bureau. Every year ending with "0," the U.S. population is counted and surveyed. From 1790 to 1840, Census takers only included the name of the head of the household who was free. Tick marks indicate individuals by sex and age range. During this time, free African Americans were counted in smaller categories than their white counterparts. Tick marks only showed enslaved people without recording their names. After 1850 all free people were enumerated on the Population Census by name and age. These questionnaires varied by decade, but each asked for name, age, sex, and race.
Where to find:
At the SLNC Government & Heritage Library:
*access with a SLNC GHL library card
"DDD" schedules list institutionalized individuals who appeared to their contemporaries to have mental or physical differences and were labeled insane, idiotic, deaf-mute, blind, etc. The schedules also included prisoners and homeless people, paupers, or the indigent. This schedule can be particularly eye-opening to what challenges a person may have faced during their lifetime and the kind of treatment or care they may have received. Often these same individuals can also be found by name in the population schedule in institutions.
Where to find:
The SLNC Government & Heritage Library has North Carolina
Starting in 1850, physicians were asked to enumerate those who died within a calendar year in the Mortality Schedules. These schedules show a person's first name, age, duration of illness, and cause of death. Unlike other census enumerations before the end of the Civil War, first names of enslaved people were included. These records are useful for locating death information about an individual before vital records, like death certificates, were recorded in many U.S. states. However, not all deaths were recorded, and reporting was incomplete for most areas. Additionally, some states may have a Mortality Schedule for 1885.
Where to find:
The SLNC Government & Heritage Library has microfilm for all years for North Carolina and published abstracts (in print) for many states. These are located in the library's public reading room.
*access with a SLNC GHL library card
The social statistics schedule sought to collect and provide statistical information about local communities, not individuals, as many of the other census schedules focus on. The social statistics schedule can give information about local real estate, taxes, schools, teachers, libraries, newspapers, churches, criminals, day laborers, female domestics, etc.
Where to find:
At the SLNC Government & Heritage Library:
National Archives, Adult Reference Microform (microfilm)
Businesses, including mills, were enumerated. Information found on this census can include the business owner's name, address, products made, the value of the products, resources used, number of employees, machinery, capital, wages, and expenses. Industry schedules included businesses producing goods valued at least $500 per year.
Where to find:
GHL has all years for the Industry and Manufacturing schedules on microfilm.
National Archives, Adult Reference Microform (microfilm)
Although most people maintained gardens for food, the Agricultural Census enumerated sizeable farms in the U.S. Information on these schedules include the name, acreage, cash value, crops produced, and livestock raised. In the 1880 agricultural schedule, enumerators indicated if the farmers were the owners, tenants, or sharecroppers. Farms were likely sources of income for workers in the community and where many enslaved people were forced to labor. The the Agricultural Schedules are underutilized by researchers, and very little of them appear in databases such as Ancestry.
Where to find:
The SLNC Government & Heritage Library has all years for North Carolina. There are also several published abstracts in the library’s reading room.
*access with a SLNC GHL library card
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Some of these schedules can be used to find name, age, birth date, marital status, tribe and reservation name, and for some, percentage of Indian blood. These schedules were submitted by those in charge of reservations.
Where to find:
At the SLNC Government & Heritage Library:
Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes, The final rolls of citizens and freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory / prepared by the Commission and Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes; and approved by the Secretary of the Interior on or prior to March 4, 1907.
Census roll, 1835, of the Cherokee Indians east of the Mississippi and index to the roll Adult Storage Microforms (microfilm)
Ancestry Library Edition, available in-person at GHL (North Carolina, U.S., Native American Census Selected Tribes, 1894-1913)
*access with a SLNC GHL card
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The 1840 and 1890 Veteran's Schedules detail the names of those who served in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, respectively. In the 1840 census, these were men who were living pensioners of the Revolutionary War. In the 1890 census, these could be either living veterans or their widows. While the 1840 veteran's schedule is more vague in nature and lists the veteran's age and others who were living in their household (significant as from 1790-1840 only the head of household is listed on the census), the 1890 Veteran's Schedule was more detailed and included the veteran's rank and military service information. Note that much of the 1890 census was destroyed in a fire before it was microfilmed, including the Veteran's Schedule.
The 1890 Schedule's purpose was to enumerate Union veterans. However, Confederate veterans were often accidentally listed in Southern states, and although their information was often crossed out, it is still possible to read.
Where to find:
GHL has this 1890 schedule on microfilm and the 1840 schedule can be accessed online.
*access with a SLNC GHL library card
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The slave schedules show the names of slaveholders and list enslaved people only by gender and age, not by name. Though names were omitted, the schedules can help researchers hypothesize the identity of an enslaved person and if a particular family enslaved them. In addition, they can occasionally provide other identifying information about enslaved people, such as their occupation or whether or not they had a disability. By identifying potential enslavers, a researcher can pursue wills, deeds, and other documents that can lead to more information about the enslaved.
Where to find:
The SLNC Government & Heritage Library has both years on microfilm for North Carolina. There are also several published abstracts in the reading room.
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