Federal Census

The federal government began collecting population census data in 1790. The federal census in Alabama was first enumerated in 1820. Since that time censuses have been taken every ten years. The most recent census that is available to the public is the 1930 census. However, it is possible to request data about a deceased relative from the U. S. Bureau of the Census for censuses since 1930.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has federal census enumerations of Alabama for the following years:

Population

      1820 - index+census
      1830 - index+census
      1840 - index+census
      1850 - index+census
      1860 - index+census
      1870 - index+census
      1880 - soundex+census
      1890 - Perry County (beats 8 & 11 only) - no index
      1900 - soundex+census
      1910 - soundex+census
      1920 - soundex+census
      1930 - soundex + census

Special

      Agriculture1850-1880
      Mortality1850-1880
      Slave1850-1860
      Social1850-1870
      Industrial1850
      Manufactures1880
      Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent classes1880

State Census

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has State census enumerations for Alabama for the following years:

      1820--no index (8 counties only: Baldwin, Conecuh, Dallas, Franklin, Limestone, St. Clair, Shelby, Wilcox) name of head of household; free white males and females in age categories; number of slaves and free persons of color in age categories.
      1850--no index: name of head of household; free white males and females in age categories; number of slaves and free persons of color in age categories.
      1855--index (14 counties: Autauga, Baldwin, Blount, Coffee, Franklin, Henry, Lowndes, Macon, Mobile, Montgomery [on film, but not included in the index], Pickens, Sumter [not on microfilm and not included in the index], Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa): name of head of household; number of free white males and females in age categories; number of slaves and free persons of color in age categories.
      1866--no index: name of head of household for African-Americans and whites; number of females and males in age categories.

     Other Alabama genealogical resources

     Alabama county historical and genealogical societies

     General genealogical resources



Updated: January 30, 2008
Alabama Department of Archives & History
624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-0100
Phone: (334) 242-4435
E-Mail:debbie.pendleton@archives.alabama.gov