The New York State Library holds the Federal decennial census of New York State for the years 1790-1930, except for 1890. The 1790 schedules are available in print and microfilm; other schedules are available in microfilm only. There are printed indexes for the 1790 through 1870 censuses, and Soundex indexes on microfilm for 1880, 1900 and 1920. There are also CD-ROM indexes for 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 and 1910. The 1930 Federal census was the last to be released to the public (in 2002).
Federal census records since 1930 remain in the custody of the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Information from these censuses can be provided only to the person to whom it pertains or to an authorized representative. For more information, write:
U.S. Bureau of the CensusNew York State Library holds the years and schedules shown in the table below. Only the information related to New York State is held. The schedules are available in both microfilm and manuscript. There are no indexes to this collection.
| Schedule | Federal Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 1850 | 1860 | 1870 | 1880 | ||
| Industry/Manufactures | 1820 | 1850 | 1860 | 1870 | 18801 | 1 (Essex-Yates) |
| Mortality | 1850 | 1860 | 1870 | 1880 | ||
| Social Statistics | 1850 | 1860 | 18702 | 2 (Monroe-Yates) | ||
| Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes | 1880 | |||||
Population Schedule census microfilm at the New York State Library is reserved for the use of on-site researchers. It does not circulate on interlibrary loan. State Library staff will not search or provide printouts from census records or indexes in response to mail or phone requests.
Special Schedule census microfilm does circulate on interlibrary loan. Please specify the name of the census, the date, and the county needed on your request.
Researchers may consult complete sets of National Archives microfilm at the National Archives in Washington and at Research Facilities nationwide.
The microfilm is also available from the Publications Sales Branch (NEPS) of the National Archives. Those planning to buy microfilm from the National Archives may want to consult the following publications which are available free of charge from the Publications Services Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC 20408 (1-800-234-8861).
Interlibrary loan of census microfilm is available through libraries cooperating with the:
National Archives
Census Microfilm Rental Program
P.O. Box 30
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0030
Call them at 301/604-3699 for the library nearest you.