The census for each decade asks different questions. For instance, the 1920 census asks the mother tongue of parents. The 1910 census asks the wife for the number of children she to whom she has given birth and how many of those are living. For the first time, the 1880 census shows the family members ages at their last birthday, and it gives the street and house number of families living in cities. Censuses for the years 1850 and 1860 give the names of each member of the household and shows the financial status of families before the Civil War.
Earlier ones give only the name of the head of household and the age group of the family.
The 1840 does ask if anyone in the family was in the Revolutionary War. If the enumerator asked that question and recorded the answer, searchers can determine, among other things, the physical health of the old warrior. Hopefully, this is enough information about censuses to make you curious enough to check out your family. When you find them, be sure to write down all the information off the masthead. Don t forget to record the date, the enumerator s name, and both page numbers at the top of the page.