Census records in the US are the backbone of genealogy research. Since 1790, the federal census has recorded ages and family relationships of residents of states and territories, providing invaluable information for those trying to reconstruct their ancestors’ lives.

Yet the volume of information–millions of records every decade, dozens of questions on every form–can get overwhelming.

For taking notes on each individual census, the forms provided by the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA) are very valuable. Check them out here.

Sometimes, though, it is more helpful to distill essential items onto a single page. I made an example that I linked here. If you would like an editable copy, please contact me.

Always start with the most recent census and work backward. This helps prove relationships and helps avoid the conflation of two people with the same name.