The 1830 census was begun on 1 June 1830. The
enumeration was to be completed within six months but was extended to allow
completion within twelve months.
Questions Asked in the 1830 Census
Name of head
of household; number of free white males and females in age categories 0 to 5, 5
to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 30, 30 to 40, 40 to 50, 50 to 60, 60 to 70, 70
to 80, 80 to 90, 90 to 100, over 100; number of slaves and free “colored”
persons in age categories; categories for deaf, dumb, and blind persons and
aliens; town or district; and county of residence.
Other Significant Facts about the 1830
Census
The 1830 census was the first for which the government provided
uniform, printed forms to enumerators for the purpose of recording answers to
census questions.
Research Tips For the 1830 Census
The 1830
census records are useful in identifying the locality to be searched for other
types of records for a named individual. The 1830 census will, in most cases,
help distinguish the target family from others of the same name; help to
determine family size; locate possible relatives with the same name; identify
immediate neighbors who may be related; identify slaveholders; and spot spelling
variations of surnames. Free men “of color” are listed as heads of household by
name. Slaves appear in age groupings by name of owner. By combining those age
groupings with probate inventories and tax list data, it is sometimes possible
to determine names of other family members and the birth order of those
individuals.
The 1830 census went a step further in breaking down ages, thus allowing more
precise knowledge of the household configuration. With the age categories
expanded to include those one hundred years and older, it is possible to have a
better idea of life spans during that time period. The addition of information
regarding those who were deaf, dumb, and blind is an indication that there may
be related guardianship or institutional records. The presence of aliens in a
household suggests the possibility that those individuals may eventually have
been naturalized in a nearby court.
