The 1900 census was begun on 1 June 1900. The
enumeration was to be completed within thirty days, or two weeks for communities
with populations of more than ten thousand.
Questions Asked in the 1900 Census
The 1900
population schedules provide the name of each person in the household; address;
relationship to the head of the household; color or race; sex; month and year of
birth; age at last birthday; marital status; the number of years married; the
total number of children born of the mother; the number of those children
living; places of birth of each individual and the parents of each individual;
if the individual was foreign born, the year of immigration and the number of
years in the United States; the citizenship status of foreign-born individuals
over age twenty-one; occupation; whether the person could read, write, and speak
English; whether the home was owned or rented; whether the home was on a farm;
and whether the home was mortgaged.
Other Significant Facts about the 1900
Census
The 1900 census is the only available census that provides
columns for including the exact month and year of birth of every person
enumerated. Previous censuses, and even the 1910 and 1920 censuses, include only
the ages. The 1900 census is also the only census to include space to record the
number of years couples were married, the number of children born to the mother,
and how many were still living. This census was also the first to indicate how
long an immigrant had been in the country and whether naturalized; whether a
home or farm was owned or rented and whether the owned property was free of
mortgage.
Research Tips for the 1900 Census Because the
Soundex index to the 1900 census is regarded as one of the most inclusive and
accurate of the federally created indexes, it is recommended as a good starting
point for beginning researchers. Most beginning researchers have or are able to
find some knowledge of family names and residences that will serve as a starting
point for searching the 1900 Soundex index. (See “Federal Population Census
Indexes and Finding Aids,” below.) The 1900 census is an excellent tool for
determining dates and places to search for marriage records, birth records of
children, deaths of children, and the marriages of children not listed. It is
also a means of verifying family traditions, identifying unknown family members,
and linking what is known to other sources, such as earlier censuses,
naturalization records (especially declarations of intent to become citizens),
school attendance rolls, property holdings, and employment and occupational
records. These records can help to trace and document ethnic origins, and
identify overseas and shipboard military service.
Note that some Indian schedules are kept at the end of the schedules for the
state instead of the county.
