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Census Records & Family History

Historical Censuses & Surveys

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Agency History and Timeline Our People Census Bureau Innovations Census Bureau Facilities

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Facts by Decade Survey and Census History Program References

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Video

1930 Census - The Story of the Census

May 2012

This video offers a unique look into the 1930 Census and gives an overview of the process that takes place during the decennial census.
Video

1940 Census - An Introduction

March 29, 2012

This video discusses the importance of the 1940 Census.
Video

1940 Census of Agriculture

March 29, 2012

This video showcases the enormous tasks the enumerators faced in order to ensure a complete count during in the 1940 Census of Agriculture.
Video

1940 Census of Housing

March 29, 2012

This video showcases the enormous tasks the enumerators faced in order to ensure a complete count during in the 1940 Census of Housing.
Video

1940 Census of Population

March 27, 2012

This video showcases the enormous tasks the enumerators faced and highlights the methods they used in order to ensure a complete and accurate count in 1940.
Video

1940 Census of Population

March 27, 2012

This video showcases the enormous tasks the enumerators faced and highlights the methods they used in order to ensure a complete and accurate count in 1940.
Video

1950 Census Records

April 01, 2022
Video

1960 Census of Population: "The Big Count"

May 01, 2012

Watch as the Acting Director of the 1950 Census, Professor Philip Howser, explains the importance of the census and introduces FOSDIC, used to process forms.
Video

1970 Census of Population: Promotional Video

May 01, 2012

This promotional video showcasing the importance of mailing your form back was produced for the 1970 Census.
Video

1980 Census of Population: Promotional Video

May 01, 2012

An extensive advertising/promotion campaign, utilizing tv and sports celebrities, was created to increase public awareness and cooperation with the census.
Video

1990 Census of Population: Promotional Video

May 01, 2012

The Census Bureau enlisted the help of the Ad Council, President Bush and celebrities to spread the word about the importance of filling out the census form.
Video

2000 Census of Population: Paid Ad Campaign

May 01, 2012

Census 2000 was the first in U.S. history to use a national paid ad campaign. This video contains a sample of the television ads that were broadcast that year.
Video

2010 Census: The U.S. Census and the Amazing Apportionment Machine

December 08, 2010

Through animation, the U.S. Census Bureau explains how it uses the apportionment formula to ensure equal representation for all.
Video

2020 Census Scientific Advisory Committee Fall Meeting (continuation)

June 24, 2021
Video

Census Data for Everyone — Why it Should Matter to You

June 04, 2021

This Summit on “Census Bureau Data for Everyone” is a FREE Virtual Webinar. Learn about how your responses to Census Bureau surveys are used.
Video

Census in the Constitution: Archivist William Fliss

July 02, 2012

William Fliss, an archivist at Marquette University, discusses how census data is vital in showing the transformation the U.S. has taken throughout the years.
Video

Census in the Constitution: Professor Margo Anderson

July 03, 2012

Margo Anderson talks about how the U.S. was the first country to use a census to apportion power in the government.
Video

Center of Population: How are they marked and can I go see them?

May 10, 2011

In this video, Dr. Robert Groves, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau describes how the centers of population are marked and where you can find them.
Video

Center of Population: What can we learn from these changes?

May 10, 2011

In this video, Dr. Robert M. Groves talks about the story the movement of the center of population tells about nation over the years.
Video

Center of Population: What is the Center of Population?

May 09, 2011

In this video, Dr. Robert M. Groves explains how data based on the Census helps to determine the center of population.
Video

Center of Population: What trends or changes can we see?

May 10, 2011

In this video, Dr. Robert Groves, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau discusses the two major trends to the shifts of the center of population.
Video

DATA GEMS: How to Customize and Download Tables Using data.census.gov

September 24, 2019

Discover easy tricks to customize your view, and learn how to the download the data in two different formats.
Video

Director's Panel Discussion

July 22, 2009

Dr. Robert M. Groves hosted a panel discussion on the issues facing the bureau as it moves into the 21st century.
Video

Diversity at the U.S. Census Bureau

April 07, 2021
Video

Evolution of the Census: Margo Anderson

May 01, 2012

Margo Anderson, a professor of History and Urban Studies at the Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, talks about how the taking of the census has changed since 1790.
Video

From Inkwell to Internet

January 12, 2017

Discover the people and technology behind counting an increasingly modern population, from the agency's beginnings through Census 2000.
Video

Half of U.S. Households Have Responded to the 2020 Census

April 17, 2020
Video

How Do We Know About Our Nation Through the Decades

July 06, 2012

A census tells us not only about our past, but it can help us prepare for our future.
Video

How To: Sign In to the Respondent Portal for Business/Public surveys

December 15, 2020
Video

Mission: Census – Virtual Field Trip to the U.S. Census Bureau

September 04, 2020
Video

Presidential Participation in Census Bureau Outreach Efforts

May 01, 2012

This video presents examples of how the White House has helped get the word out about the decennial census.
Video

Robert M. Groves on Celebrating World Statistics Day

October 19, 2010

Dr. Robert M. Groves, Census Bureau Director, explains how statistics help synthesize the huge amount of data available in the modern world.
Video

The Work of Census Bureau Geographers: In Their Own Voices

February 23, 2021
Video

U.S. Constitution: Article I, Section 2

August 20, 2010

Every resident was encouraged to participate in a process that is as old as the nation itself.