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1820 Census Records Online

Censuses offer a window into the pasts of your ancestors. The practice of taking a census on a nationwide basis dates back to 1790. With some exceptions, this information has been well-preserved.

GenealogyBank provides 1820 census records online in digital form, enabling you to unveil your family’s history.

Jump into your family history and search the 1820 census with just a few clicks. If you’re ready to construct your family tree, the 1820 census database has the information you need.

 

1820 Census Records Online

Federal censuses have been taken since 1790. The most recent publicly available census is 1820. A long history of census records means that the family researcher has a wealth of information to work from.

For acquiring basic information about your family and where they lived, the 1820 Federal census is an excellent place to start.

So, what can you find from a census?

  • Names – Look up the names of your ancestors and who they were married to. This can help to trace your ancestors as they move across the country, as well as uncovering ancestors you never knew about.
  • Birthplaces – Is your family on the move? United States census records 1820 provide information on birthplaces and may even offer insights into where a person’s parents were born.
  • Relatives – The 1820 US census includes information on everyone who resided within a household. Relatives like grandparents, cousins, and even adopted children may appear on a census.
  • Immigration – Find out more about your heritage with the1820 census searchable database. These documents shed light on your ancestors’ immigration and naturalization history.
  • Neighborhood Makeup – The United States census 1820 can help to build up a picture of where your ancestors lived and the type of neighborhood it was.

To create a picture of your family tree and uncover a launchpad for further research, perform a GenealogyBank 1820 census search now.

How to Search the United States Census 1820

Begin your search for an ancestor within the annals of the 1820 US census. With the help of GenealogyBank, you can traverse centuries of US history within a matter of seconds. The first step is to choose an ancestor to search for. With GenealogyBank, all you need to do is enter your ancestor’s first and last names. You’ll instantly see census results for your specific census.

However, for a successful 1820 census search you need to narrow down your results. Follow these steps to get more accurate results.

Step One – Enter the full name of your ancestor, including any middle names or initials they might have.

Step Two – Include some keywords, such as the location your ancestor lived in. For earlier censuses, you can add the state in which they lived, but the more information you have, the better.

Step Three – Exclude certain keywords if you know specific pieces of information don’t apply to your ancestor.

Step Four – Change the search order of your census results. GenealogyBank allows you to filter your results. This is especially important if you have less information on your ancestor, or they had a common last name.

 

Tips for a Successful 1820 Census Search

There is an art to extracting the most information from 1820 census records online. Census records vary in their accuracy. As a result, when you search the 1820 Federal census, implement these tips for a successful search.

Here are some advanced tips for a 1820 census search by name:

  • Search individually for each ancestor. Census records may differ between people even in the same household. This could yield additional important information.
  • Search for common misspellings or even common nicknames. Old censuses often lacked accuracy, particularly if your ancestors were illiterate.
  • Look up entries for the neighbors of your ancestors. It can shed light on the migratory heritage of your family.

Finally, make sure you use any census records you find as a platform for further research.

The Value of Our 1820 Census Database

Our census database has been fully digitized with the original records direct from the United States Census Bureau.

You have access to millions of census records at your fingertips. There’s no easier way to build your family tree and construct the history of this great nation and the role your ancestors played in it.

GenealogyBank records cover more than 330 years of US history. In a world where official records were few and people slipped into the mists of time, censuses are the one constant. Since 1790, a census has been taken every ten years. With some notable exceptions, the vast majority of records have survived up until the present day. Go back to the beginning of the American Experiment. Using the US census records should be your initial starting point for family research. They contain valuable information that can help you complete your genealogy project.

Explore 1820 Census Records

1820 Census Facts

  • Population: 9,638,453 - a 33.1% increase from the 1810 Census year
  • Census Date: August 7, 1820
  • Census Date Released: 1892
  • Number of States Participating: 23
  • - New States: (6) Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, & Maine
  • US Territories Participated: Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Oregon
  • Data Lost: New Jersey, Arkansas Territory, & Missouri Territory - Partial census records were lost for Alabama and Tennessee
Discover Your Family Story in Census Records


  • The number of free White males and females within specific age ranges
  • The number of male and female slaves within specific age ranges
  • The number of male and female free colored persons within specific age ranges
  • Number of foreigners living in the US not naturalized
  • The numbers of persons (including slaves) engaged in agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing

Notable Events Between 1810-1820:

  • 1810 - The Pacific Fur Company established by John Jacob Astor
  • 1811- First steamboat between New York and New Jersey
  • 1812 - The War of 1812 between the U.S. and Britain began
  • 1814 - Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812
  • 1816 - Indiana became the 19th state
  • 1817 - Mississippi was admitted as the 20th state.
  • 1817 - Construction of the Erie Canal began (completed in 1825)
  • 1817 - The second wave of Amish immigration began, continuing until 1860
  • 1818 - Congress officially adopted the U.S. flag which included 20 stars at the time
  • 1818 - Illinois admitted as the 21st state
  • 1819 - The Panic of 1819 led to foreclosures and unemployment

Use the Federal 1820 Census records to learn more about your family history. Explore our comprehensive historical records to find out if your family immigrated to America during the early decades of the 1800s or played important roles in the War of 1812. Use your ancestors’ name, the town, city or state where they lived in the 1820 Census, to continue your genealogy research with our newspaper archives. Discover the people behind the names on your family tree and their role in key events of the decade.