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1840 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 1840 census records online in digital form, enabling you to unveil your family’s history.

Jump into your family history and search the 1840 census with just a few clicks. If you’re ready to construct your family tree, the 1840 census database has the information you need.

 

1840 Census Records Online

Federal censuses have been taken since 1790. The most recent publicly available census is 1840. 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 1840 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 1840 provide information on birthplaces and may even offer insights into where a person’s parents were born.
  • Relatives – The 1840 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 the1840 census searchable database. These documents shed light on your ancestors’ immigration and naturalization history.
  • Neighborhood Makeup – The United States census 1840 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 1840 census search now.

How to Search the United States Census 1840

Begin your search for an ancestor within the annals of the 1840 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 1840 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 1840 Census Search

There is an art to extracting the most information from 1840 census records online. Census records vary in their accuracy. As a result, when you search the 1840 Federal census, implement these tips for a successful search.

Here are some advanced tips for a 1840 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 1840 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 1840 Census Records

1840 Census Facts

  • Population: 17,063,353 - a 32.7% increase from the 1830 Census
  • Census Date: June 1840
  • Census Date Released: 1912
  • Number of States Participating: 26 - New States: Arkansas, Michigan
  • US Territories Participated: Iowa, Florida, and Wisconsin
  • Data Lost: None
Explore 1840 Census Records

1840 Census Questions Asked

  • Number of free White males and females within specific age ranges
  • Number of slaves and free colored persons within specific age ranges
  • Number of heads of households employed by industry
  • Number of White persons who were deaf, blind, dumb, or insane
  • Number of colored persons who were deaf, blind, dumb, or insane
  • Number of colleges, universities, or institutions - Number of students at each institution - Number of scholars at public charge
  • Name and age of pensioners for Revolutionary or military service
  • Number of White persons with at least 20 years of age who could not read or write

Notable Events Between 1830-1840:

  • May 1830 - Congress approved the Indian Removal Act which would lead to the Trail of Tears (1832-1838)
  • 1831 - In August, Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in Virginia
  • 1832 - On July 24 the first wagons crossed the Continental Divide on the Oregon Trail
  • 1833 - Oberlin College founded and was the first U.S. college to coeducation (refusing to bar students on race)
  • 1834 - Cyrus McCormick patents the horse-drawn grain reaper.
  • 1835 - P.T. Barnum conducted his first circus tour of the U.S.
  • 1836 - The Texian army lost the Battle for the Alamo
  • 1836 - The American Whig Party held its first convention
  • 1837 - The New York stock exchange crashed causing The Panic of 1837 resulting in a nationwide financial crisis and rising unemployment
  • 1839 - Mississippi granted women the right to own property - the first state to do so
  • 1840 - Cpt. Charles Wilkes claims Antarctica for the U.S. after circumnavigating it in January

Westward expansion defined the decade between 1930-1940. The nation experienced many advances, including the first coeducational college and women gaining the right to own property. Despite these progressions, the Trail of Tears was a painful six-year period of bloodshed. As the U.S. expanded its borders west, large waves of Northern and Western European immigrants brought in new traditions. One new tradition adopted in the 1930s was the Christmas tree decorating tradition which came from German immigrants. For a thorough genealogy search, combine the 1840 Census with our library of U.S. newspaper archives to trace your ancestors beyond just names and dates listed in census records. Uncover the story of your family using Genealogybank's wealth of historical data and discover new details you never knew.