There are two broad groupings of census information that you need to be aware of: census information taken between 1850 and 1930 and census information taking prior to 1850. If you are looking through census information taken between 1850 and 1930, then you are in luck. These censuses are extremely detailed and the head count is incredibly accurate. Unfortunately, prior to 1850, the censuses were not nearly as accurate. They only listed the name of the head of the household and the number of other people in the house in selected age groups. What information can you glean from a census report? If you begin with the 1930 census, you will very likely... 

Census records may be the single most utilized search tool online for family tree research. From 1930 back to the founding of the country, the records of every census are available online. By using census records you may be able to trace your family tree back to when your ancestors first came to this country, whether they were immigrants who came ashore at Ellis Island, or were here to fight the British during the Revolution, the census records may well show you a piece of their lives. Census records are available online and have truly aided the search of the genealogist, whether amateur or professional, since their introduction. Using the...