The federal census was first taken in 1790 and one has been conducted every decade since. All returns become public information after 72 years and are available on microfilm, except for 1890. Those were destroyed in a fire. The 1930 census reports are due out in April 2002. FHCs and most large public libraries carry copies.
Some county sites carry a smattering of records for their locale.
On returns before 1850, personal data are minimal. Except for the head of household, only the surname, gender and age range appear for each family member. From 1850 on, additional data were collected, including each person's name and age. Many later census returns even contain the precise address. On the 1910 return, survivors of the Rebellion were noted.