The following is extracted from the Table of Contents:

Introduction

Growth of the U.S. Federal Census

Section 1 – Census Facts

• Historical U.S. Censuses
• Early Census Takers
• Censuses in U.S. Territories
• Compensation to the Census Takers
• The Census Day
• Table 1: Census Year/Day/Time Allowed
• Census Counting Machine
• Early Census Losses
• Table 2 – Statewide Census Losses
• Census Copies, 1790-1820
• Census Copies, 1830-1840
• Census Copies, 1850-1870
• Census Copies, 1880
• 1880 Short Form
• Census Copies, 1890
• 1890 Short Form
• 1890 Veterans Schedule
• Copies/Microfilm/Digitizing, 1900-1940
• Soundex Indexes, 1880-1930
• Soundex Code
• Personal Census Search
• County Boundary Changes
• Table 3: Statistics, 1790-1940 Censuses
• References

Section 2 – Population Schedules

Contents – Section 2

Table 4: Availability of U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1950

Section 3 – Non-Population Schedules Contents – Section 3

Table 6: Availability of Non-Population Schedules

Descriptions of the Non-Population Schedules, 1820-1935

State Availability Tables:

Section 4 – Census Samples & Worksheets

Contents – Section 4

Population Schedules:

Industry/Manufactures Schedules:

Agriculture Schedules:

Mortality Schedules:

Slave Schedules:

Social Statistics Schedules:

Soundex Extraction Forms:

Soundex Indexes Description & Contents

Census Comparison Sheets:

COMPARISON OF THE 1999 EDITION WITH THE 2019 EDITION OF THE CENSUS BOOK

In 1999, the first Census Book was published. The full title was The Census Book: A Genealogist’s Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes, by William Dollarhide (Publ. Heritage Quest, Bountiful, Utah, 182 pages). The original Census Book has been out of print for several years, but is still cited frequently at many genealogical websites.

In 2019, an all new Census Book was published. The full title: The Census Book: Facts, Schedules & Worksheets for the U.S. Federal Censuses, by William Dollarhide (Publ. Family Roots Publishing Co., LLC, Orting, WA, 245 pages). The many references to CD-ROM publications were replaced with many more direct links to Internet databases. There are a total of 1,770 links to Internet websites, giving access to over one billion census records/names. The references to printed countywide census indexes were removed, replaced by links to census databases and substitute publications. Specific changes in each Section were as follows:

Section 1 – Census Facts, Historical U.S. Censuses. The original concept and layout was enhanced with extensive editing and added features.

Section 2 – Population Schedules. The 1999 edition had no references to the Internet for census population schedules – the 2019 edition has links to 630 websites, providing instant access to over 600 million indexed census records/names online. In the first Census Book, each census year had a table showing CD-ROM indexes and any printed book indexes available. In the new Census Book, a table for each census year now includes the starting FHL film roll number for each state’s population schedules, providing links to 580 FHL catalog webpages. It is the searchable roll number that gives a researcher quick access to the digital images of any census year, state, county, or town. Census substitutes were added where available; better U.S. maps of each census year were included; and 1940 and 1950 census chapters were added. Also, a new census chapter was inserted for 1885, when 14 states took state censuses – they are good substitutes for the lost 1890 census.

Section 3 – Non-Population Schedules. This section identifies all non-population categories, adding those after 1900. All new statewide tables, Alabama to Wyoming, were expanded to 1935, and reorganized for appearance and adding URL links to 560 more online databases. The location of the original Non-Population schedules is given, and the locations of microfilm copies now features many direct links to a Family History Library online catalog webpage, in particular, those with digital images available.

Section 4 – Census Samples & Worksheets. The 1999 Census Book had no Samples and 34 Census Worksheets; the new 2019 Census Book has 57 Samples and 42 Worksheets. New worksheets were added for the 1890 Short Form; the 1940 Census; and the 1820, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1885 Manufactures Schedules.

This book is also available as a hard-back color-covered book. Click on the link to go to that page.

This book is also available as an instantly downloadable PDF eBook. Click on this link to go to that page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

William Dollarhide is best known as the co-author and cartographer of the classic Map Guide to the U.S.Federal Censuses, 1790-1920, a book of 393 census-year maps, and one of the best selling books ever published in the field of genealogy. He released the first edition of The Census Book in 1999, a book that is still cited frequently at many genealogical websites. He has also written numerous Censuses & Substitutes guidebooks for genealogical research; e.g., a 3-volume regional set; and a 52-volume set (for each U.S. state, DC, and U.S. Territories). His other works include New York State Censuses & Substitutes, referred to as “the definitive guide,” by the NY Genealogical & Biographical Society; Managing a Genealogical Project, a manual for organizing genealogical documents; Map Guide to American Migration Routes, 1735-1815, a review of the U.S. wagon roads in place before steam engines; and Genealogical Resources of the Civil War Era, a review of Military and Civilian name lists; and several other publications.

REVIEWS

“Bill Dollarhide is the authority on U.S. federal censuses. The first edition of The Census Book was the bellwether for census research and has remained the go-to reference. The new edition is updated to include Internet resources and contains a wealth of insightful information, graphics of the schedules, and essential worksheets to help your federal census analyses. This book should be on every genealogist’s bookshelf and in every genealogical library collection. Bravo!” - George C. Morgan, co-host of The Genealogy Guys Podcast, lecturer, and genealogy writer.