The 1910 United States Census was the 13th decennial census of the United States. It surveyed the population as of April 15, 1910, a departure from the typical census month of June, which dated back to 1830.[1] It includes information on more than 92 million residents of the United States.
The results of the census signified a 21 percent increase in population compared to the 1900 U.S. Census, indicative of a wave of immigration that took place around the turn of the century. By 1910, immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe made up of about 70% of those entering the United States.[2] The census required foreign-born nationals to declare their mother tongue or ethnicity.
This was the first federal U.S. census that had questionnaires distributed to large cities a day or two in advance, so that people could become familiar with the questions before answering.[1]
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Historical significanceHistorical significance
The 1910 U.S. Census offers a snapshot of the United States prior to World War I. It was relied on for economic data related to the population of draft-age men, along with the states' industrial capacities.[1]
It took place amidst the suffragist movement that began around 1900, with a major rally held in New York on May 21, 1910, just a month after the census took place.[3] This eventually led to American women's right to vote in 1919.
The census marked the beginning of a decade which saw the incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America (1910), the sinking of the Titanic (1912), the official transit of the Panama Canal (1914), America's entry into World War I (1917), and the prohibition of alcoholic beverages (1919).[4]
Header informationHeader information
| 1. State | 7. Enumeration District # |
| 2. County | 8. Ward of City |
| 3. Township or Division of County | 9. Sheet # |
| 4. Institution Name, if applicable | 10. Enumeration Date |
| 5. Name of Incorporated Place | 11. Enumerator |
| 6. Supervisor's District # |
The header of the 1910 U.S. Census provides location information, supervisor and enumeration district numbers, sheet number, and the name of the enumerator.
Column informationColumn information
The 1910 U.S. Census is divided into multiple columns which provide a wealth of information.
LocationLocation
Column 1 described the Location. It is divided into 4 smaller columns:
- Street name (written vertically)
- House number, if applicable
- Number of dwelling in order of visitation
- Number of family in order of visitation
Vital informationVital information
Columns 2-7 are related to each individual. They include:
- Column 2: Name: Typically recorded as surname first, then given name.
- Column 3: Relation: How the person is related to the head of the family.
- Column 4: Personal Description: Divided into smaller columns:
- Sex, male or female.
- Color or race.
- Age at last birthday.
- Whether single, married, widowed, or divorce.
- Number of years in present marriage.
- For mothers, total number of children born, number of children living now.
- Column 5: Nativity: Place of birth for the person, their father and their mother. (Mother tongue or ethnicity is often recorded in this column for foreign-born nationals.)
- Column 6: Citizenship: Year of immigration to the United States and whether naturalized or alien, if applicable.
- Column 7: Language: Whether able to speak English, and if not, their language spoken.
Work informationWork information
Column 8 was dedicated to work for each person:
- Trade or profession
- Nature of industry, business or establishment
- Whether an employer, employee, or working on own.
- If an employee, whether out of work on April 15, 1910.
- If an employee, number of weeks out of work during 1909.
Additional questionsAdditional questions
Columns 9-11 covered the following:
- Column 9: Education: Divided into smaller columns:
- Whether able to read.
- Whether able to write.
- If attended school at all since Sept. 1, 1909.
- Column 10: Ownership of home: Divided into smaller columns:
- Owned or rented.
- Owned free or mortgaged.
- Farm or house.
- Number of farm schedule.
- Column 11: A few last miscellaneous questions:
- Whether a survivor of the Union or Confederate Army or Navy
- Whether blind (both eyes
- Whether deaf and dumb
Citing the 1910 U.S. CensusCiting the 1910 U.S. Census
Here is an example of a citation for the 1910 U.S. Census:
1910 U.S. census, [County], [State], [Location], Population Schedule, [Enumeration District #], [Page #], [Dwelling #], [Family #], [Name of Person]. National Archives of the United States.
See alsoSee also
Explore more about the 1910 U.S. CensusExplore more about the 1910 U.S. Census
- Search the 1910 United States Federal Census on MyHeritage
- Ask The Expert – How To Work with U.S. Census Records on MyHeritage
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1910 Overview. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/overview/1910.html
- ↑ Immigration in the Early 1900s, Eyewitness to History, via Kraut, Alan, The Huddle Masses: The Immigrant in American Society (1880-1921), 1982. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpim1.htm
- ↑ Woman Suffrage. Museum of the City of New York. https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/woman-suffrage
- ↑ Pop Culture: 1910. Fast Facts. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/fast_facts/1910_fast_facts.html