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PVAMU Honors College: PV-Honors Research Project-Fall 2022: Researching Genealogy Virtual Library Resources: US Census 1790-1940

The Honors Program concentrates on the development of intellectual curiosity and offers a comprehensive honors curriculum to cultivate critical thinking, active learning, and stellar leadership skills.

Researching Genealogy Virtual Library Resources: US Census 1790-1940

1940 United States Federal Census

United States 1940 Census Report

Image courtesy of Google Images 

United States Census Collection:

1900s: 1940 1930 1920 1910 1900

1800s: 1890 1880 1870 1860 1850 1840 1830 1820 1810 1800

1700s: 1790

History of the Census Records 

The Census Bureau's National Processing Center (NPC) in Jeffersonville, IN, maintains copies of the 1910 to 2010 census records. Records from the censuses of population and housing are publicly accessible 72 years after each decennial census' "Census Day." The most recent publicly available census records are from the 1940 census, released April 2, 2012.

The "72-Year Rule"

The U.S. government will not release personally identifiable information about an individual to any other individual or agency until 72 years after it was collected for the decennial census. This "72-Year Rule" (92 Stat. 915; Public Law 95-416; October 5, 1978) restricts access to decennial census records to all but the individual named on the record or their legal heir.

National Archives Resources for Genealogists: US Census Forms

Use these blank forms to record your research results. Click on the title to view or print a PDF version of each.

Federal Census Forms

John B. Coleman Library
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 519, MS 1040, Prairie View, Texas 77446
Physical Address: L.W. Minor St. / University Drive, Prairie View, Texas 77446
Reference: (936) 261-1535, Circulation: (936) 261-1542
Email: askalibrarian@pvamu.edu

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