Record Group 29 - Records of the Bureau of the Census
Please click on the National Archives Identifier (NAID) to go to the full records description in the National Archives Catalog.
The Bureau of the Census conducts decennial censuses of population and housing; and quinquennial censuses of agriculture, state and local governments, manufactures, mineral industries, distributive trades, construction industries, and transportation. The records of the Census Bureau are an important resource for researchers interested in African American history and genealogy. In addition to published census data, information about free and enslaved persons of color was captured in the first decennial census of 1790 and continued through 1870. These records will not contain information specific to individuals, but contain large amounts of numerical data spanning various demographic categories.
Clusters: Genealogical
People of interest:
Joseph A. Hill (1860–1938) graduated from Harvard University in 1885 and earned his Ph. D. from University of Halle (Germany) in 1892. In 1898 Hill began work as a statistician for the U. S. Census Bureau and became Chief Statistician in 1909. As Chief Statistician, he oversaw publication of reports on child labor, illiteracy, marriage and divorce, women at work, and a report for the Immigration Commission on occupations of immigrants. Dr. Hill was appointed Assistant Director of the Census Bureau in 1921.
Textual Records
Files of Director Kenneth Prewett, 1998–2001
National Archives Identifier: 1102935
Some of these records may be subject to copyright restrictions.
First Count Tabulations of Enumeration Districts, ca. 1930
National Archives Identifier: 3144723
Minority Advisory Committee Files, 1982–1993
National Archives Identifier: 1137821
These records may be restricted due to privacy concerns under FOIA (b)(6) Personal Information.
Report on Population, 1870
National Archives Identifier: 2838898
Subject Files, ca. 1899–1950
National Archives Identifier: 2990148
Some of these records may be subject to copyright restrictions.
Summaries of Census Returns, 1850
National Archives Identifier: 2825262
Electronic Records
[Decennial] Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Supplemental Tabulation Files
National Archives Identifier: 623497
Electronic Records Reference Report: 1990 Census of Population and Housing.
[Decennial] Census of Population and Housing, 2000: Special Equal Employment Opportunity Tabulation Files
National Archives Identifier: 657376
Electronic Records Reference Report: Electronic Records Relating to Civil Rights.
[Decennial] Census of Population and Housing, 2000: Voting Rights Data Files
National Archives Identifier: 657168
Summary Statistic Data Files from the 21st Census of Population and Housing, 1990–1997
National Archives Identifier: 594337
Electronic Records Reference Report: 1990 Census of Population and Housing.
Summary Statistic Data Files from the 22nd Census of Population and Housing, 2000–2007
National Archives Identifier: 590217
Survey of Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises Summary Files, 1982–2002
National Archives Identifier: 575385
Maps and Charts
Block Statistics, 1970–1971
National Archives Identifier: 3682030; Local Identifier: 029BLOCKSTATS1970
Published Record Set of Decennial Census Maps, 1860–2002
National Archives Identifier: 719190; Local Identifier: 029PUBCENSUSMAPS
Moving Images
Moving Images Related to the Taking of the Census, 1937–1980
National Archives Identifier: 7005; Local Identifier: 29
Some of these records may be subject to copyright restrictions.