Visit the National Archives Web site to access 1940 and 1950 Census records.
Decennial census records are confidential for 72
years to protect respondents' privacy.
Records from the 1960 to 2020 censuses can only be obtained by the person named in the record or their heir after submitting form BC-600 or BC-600sp (Spanish).
Online subscription services are available to access the 1790–1950 census records.
Many public libraries provide access to these services free of charge to their
patrons.
Contact your local library to inquire if it has subscribed to one of these services.
Family tree of Bartholomew Dupuy and Susanna La Villan who came to the United States from France in 1700. Image courtesy of the Tennessee State Library.
Census information and records can be invaluable tools in genealogical research. In addition to basic personal facts for each respondent, census records include detailed information that can help make connections across generations.
For more information:
Information on using government records for genealogical research can be found in the U.S. Census Bureau's History Staff's publication, Age Search [PDF 4.8MB].