Did Census Records Ask About Citizenship?
Well, yes...and no. It depends!
In today's news, both the Washington Post and CNN published online articles about the Trump's Administration intent to include a question about citizenship on the 2020 Federal Census. CNN did mention in their article that several past censuses did include such a question. And it's become politicalized!
See CNN article here: CNN article
Washington Post article: Post article
Are we required to have a census? Yes, every ten years, according to the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2, Clause 3...
Clause 3: Representatives and direct Taxes shall
be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this
Union, according to their respective Numbers... The actual Enumeration shall be made within three
Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within
every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.
Does that mean that we have to include citizenship in the census, as a demographic factor? Only when Congress and the Census Bureau decide that it is necessary to include it. And if you look at the other questions listed on all the censuses dating back to 1790, a wide variety of questions have been asked! From education, gender, age, employment, land ownership, slave ownership, where born, and so on.
For us, as genealogists, having information about citizenship helps to determine the timeline of our ancestors' lives. Finding immigration and naturalization documents are part an integral part of our research. We are, indeed, a nation of immigrants!
So, is that true? Did Census Records ever ask about citizenship? Yes to both questions. The 1820, 1830, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses all ask if individuals are naturalized or not. Some ask if naturalized papers were taken out. For example:
- 1820: asks for Foreigners not naturalized
- 1830: asks for Aliens--foreigners not naturalized
- 1890: asks whether naturalized, and if naturalization papers were taken out.
- 1900: asks for year of immigration, number of years in the U.S., and if naturalized.
- 1910: asks for year of immigration, and whether naturalized or alien.
- 1920: asks for year of immigration, naturalized or alien, and year of naturalized (if naturalized)
- 1930: asks for year of immigration, and if naturalized or alien.
For more information about the Census Bureau and its records, click on this link: Census Bureau
And remember: Enjoy your research!!
