Do libraries carry US census info?

Question

I am working on my family genealogy. The genealogy websites are expensive. The local town offices are only open 9-4. I wonder if the library would carry all of the US census info. Anyone had any experience with this?

Answer 1

What you need is a Census Depository Library. These are libraries located in large metro areas that receive Census data free of charge and, in return, they must make the data available for free to the public. You can see a list of these libraries here:
http://www.census.gov/sdc/www/censusdepositlib.html

Another option is a Federal Depository Library. These libraries receive information from all branches of the United States government. There are more of these libraries across the country (1,250) but you'll want to contact the library first to be sure they have the specific Census information you need:
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/libraries.html

Otherwise census data in libraries is hit or miss, especially in smaller public libraries. However many of these libraries can borrow materials for you from other libraries through interlibrary loan. It may not be quick - but it may be an option if a Census library is too far. Otherwise, your best bet are large public library systems in major cities (although they may already be designated Census Depository Libraries) or universities, many of which allow some public access and may be able to help you find what you need.

You can also try Census Information Centers - these are places that try to make census info available to underserved communities . You can find a list of CIC members here:
http://www.census.gov/clo/www/cic/members/004701.html

Finally, you can always try the Census Bureau's Regional Office for your area for more information:
http://www.census.gov/field/www/

I hope this is helpful. Best of luck!

Answer 2

Most library systems carry their local census records and can order other ones for you. You may find that in a given county, only 1-2 of the branches actually carry them for cost-effectiveness.

The even better thing, though, is that many library systems have public use licenses for either Ancestry.com or HeritageQuest.com. You need to get a library card, obviously, then usually set up a userID and password. Then you either access the sites through the library's computers or many have a portal where you can access them at home 24/7. It's a very nice deal, indeed!

Answer 3

Some have genealogical sections that do. We have a genealogical library in my town.

However, Ancestry.Com has censuses. Actually you can look up individuals, but the translators did not always get it right. You can look at the actual census images. Some handwritiings are definitely hard to figure out. So I can feel for the people who did the translating.

Answer 4

most libraries a part of the interloan library system.
but there are also many very good free genealogy websites. check to see if your library or state library allows library card holders to search heritagequest, either from a library computer or from your own computer via their website and your library card information.
example
i live in kansas and have a state of kansas library card, by logging into the state of kansas library website, i can then search census records thru heritagequestonline.
check if your library has any links on their website, here are some the websites i have and still use that are free

Answer 5

Most libraries that have a Genealogy section do have the census info. They will either have them on microfilm, cd, or in books. Just check with your local library.

Answer 6

Some large public libraries do.

Also, check your local LDS library.

You can also rent/borrow census microfilm from the NARA. Your local library should have a microfilm reader.

http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/

There are also SOME census transcription on the web. I'm sure someone will offer you the site.

Answer 7

Most US States' library systems subscribe to HeritageQuest Online, and most of those will provide you with online access to that clunky set of census images, better than none, ask your librarian for a login & password.

LDS has Family History Centers just about everywhere. Go there for excellent free or extremely low nominal cost for access to records.

Most online genealogy sites are free to users, consider familysearch.org and rootsweb.com. Even ancestry.com has free resources if you sign in with a username & password. Ancestry.com's subscriber resources are incomparable so far, most well worth the money - particularly their census images, something every researcher needs.

Answer 8

call your library and see if they subscribe to heritagequest. If they do then you can go to their homepage and access it with your library card from home.

Familysearch.org has the 1880 census online.

Answer 9

to accentuate the anticipation and exhilaration in retaining with possibility? Or, to provide non eternal envelope stuffing jobs in help of the Census thereby lessening unemployment numbers through a smidgen in order to provide our administration a minor lessening of unemployment numbers. There are some techniques-blowing expenditures appropriate with the 2010 Census - the significant major in our united states of america of united statesa.'s history, the significant compelling decision being the $14.5 billion value value tag. See appropriate link for a attractive study of options. This severe priced Census will produce outcomes which do no longer appropriately characterize the nationwide actuality and it might want to be that what our forefathers perceived to be an shopper-pleasant counting has now grew to grow to be accurate right into a behemoth dollar guzzling monster that must be streamlined and made plenty more advantageous smart. i can't see the imagine about spending all that funds to count number decision those who've misplaced their properties, don't have jobs and can want to be reminded of the perfect lives they as right now as had.

Answer 10

Some of them do. But a lot of census information is available on line without cost. http://www.census-online.com/links/United_States/