Use the 1920 U.S. Census Research Guide for detailed ancestry research.
This is an essential guide for researching the 1920 U.S. Census. The 1920 U.S. Census is a list of questions asked to the U.S. Federal Population in 1920. The census captures the moment in time for each person recorded in the U.S. Census
Use this guide to learn about and discover the stories of the people who lived during and before the 1920s. With the 1920 U.S. census information, you can, for starters, build individual and family profiles, write narratives, build family trees and find related records to research.
Table of Contents for U.S. Census Guide
The Essential 1920 U.S. Census Research Guide contains the following sections:
- Additional 1790-1950 U.S. Federal Census Resources
- Details about the 1920 U.S. Census
- How to Search and Use the 1920 Census Data
- How 1920 Census Can Lead to Military Records
- Use the 1920 Census to Calculate the Birth Year
- What is the 1920 U.S. Federal Census?
- What Can You Find in 1920 U.S. Census
- Questions Asked in the 1920 U.S. Census
- Author B. Schreiber’s Introduction to the U.S. Census
Note: All images in this guide reflect life from the 1920s.
Why use the Essential 1920 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners
This guide is based on 1,000s of hours of my first-hand experience in researching the U.S. Censuses for purposes related to writing individuals and family narratives, family history, and genealogy. Writers, family historians, and genealogists can, for example, use this comprehensive research guide to:
- Learn 100’s of census research tips and tricks
- Correctly connect related individuals and family
- Complete and extend ancestral family trees
- Recognize, decipher and use clues from census data
- Build and expand individual family profiles
- Learn about and find other historical records
- Conduct exhaustive background research for writing narratives
- Write compelling individual and family narratives
- Find local, regional, state and national record repositories
Why the Essential 1920 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners was written
I’m Author B. Schreiber, a professional writer and blogger. I first started researching the U.S. Censuses to gain background information for stories and narratives I was writing about individuals and families I was related to.
Researching the U.S. Censuses can be complex and overwhelming
I spend hundreds of hours learning about each census and how to solve my research problems. This 1920 U.S. Census Research Guide is a compilation of what I learned and continue to apply. I am sharing this information because I understand how frustrating U.S. Census research can be. Perhaps this knowledge can help you. See the section: Author B. Schreiber’s Introduction to the U.S. Census.
Additional 1790-1950 U.S. Federal Census Resources
Essential censuses research guides
Click on any of the following years, and you will be taken to that years’ essential census research guide:
Census and historical record research articles
Throughout this U.S. federal census guide, please find links to resources that I have specifically prepared to help you. In addition, I have written and assembled other resources to provide you with a more in-depth understanding of the census research process. I have tried to cover every possible question and angle you are likely to face in your U.S. census research. I would encourage you to use the resources often. The resources include:
- 35 Important U.S. Census Research Tips and Tricks
- Pre-1850 U.S. Census Research Tips for Historians
- Where to find 1850-1940 Censuses Research Clues
- Introduction to 1790-1940 U.S. Censuses Ancestry Research
- How to Use Naming Patterns in Ancestry Research
- 5 Step Ancestry Research Process for Historians
- How to Cite and Verify Ancestry Research
- How to Conduct Detailed Exhaustive Historical Research
- Introduction to Ancestry Research and Historical Records
- 15 Strategies to Find Ancestor Names in Historical Records
- Keep Ancestry Research Focused with These 28 Simple Tips
(Video) Introduction to 1920 U.S. Census Historical Research. The “Introduction to 1920 U.S. Census Historical Research” provides a quick overview of the 1920 U.S. Census and how you can make the most from the 1920 U.S. Censusfor individual and family historical and narrative research.
For additional videos, see the BeginMyStory YouTube Channel.
Where to find the 1920 U.S. Census online
The following are some standard resources I have consulted:
Details about the U.S. 1920 U.S. Census
The following are a few of the details that are important to understand about the
1920 U.S. Federal census:
Number of persons included in the 1920 U.S. Census: 106,021,537 people were living in the United States.
1920 U.S. Census day: January 1, 1920
1920 U.S. Census duration: 1 month for rural districts or two weeks for populations over 2,500+
1920 U.S. Census geography:
- States and territories enumerated: 48 states and eight territories were included in the census.
- Territories included: Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Panama Canal Zone, Philippines, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
- The available states include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
A few essential facts about the 1920 U.S. Census include:
Numeration date. The numeration date is January 1, 1920, with one month to complete the census, fewer people being missed than prior census periods.
President during the census. William H Taft
Census privacy
The 1920 U.S. Census was ordered to keep the answers strictly private and could not share the information with anyone. This was the beginning of the 72-year privacy rule. The general public would not be allowed to view the content of the census for 72 years.
Birth and death records
By 1920 most counties had started recording vital records (birth and death). By 1925 vital records were recorded in all U.S. counties. Most persons who are recorded in this census will have a birth/death certificate.
Social Security Death Index
If an individual is listed in this census, make sure you check the Social Security Death Index.
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, or Turkey
This is the first census after WWI. Following the war, many boundaries changed in Europe. When persons were asked where their parents were born, Enumerators were instructed to spell out the city, state, province, or region of respondents who declared that they or their parents had been born in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, or Turkey. Because of the questions asked of these immigrants, many researchers will be able to discover the exact towns or regions from which their families emigrated.
Soundex
I have found the Soundex to be very helpful in searching for names that sound alike, such as Genealogy and Yule or Steward and Stuart but are spelled differently. It uses a numbering system for letters, which allows the name to be indexed by how it sounds and not how it is spelled. I have used Soundex for parts of 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 United States federal censuses. If you cannot find your family through online search tools/engines, turn to the Soundex. Tools such as Ancestry.com and MyHeritage feature the Soundex for their database. The 1920 Soundex includes all states included the population schedules and overseas military and naval forces. See the article: How to Use the Soundex Coding System
Institutions and military records
Institutions are generally found at the end of the enumeration sections. Servicemen were to be listed as members of their duty posts, not in their family’s enumerations
Questions omitted
The 1920 U.S. Census did not include questions on the number of children, years of marriage, military service, and unemployment found in the 1910 census.
Indian schedule
Unlike the 1900 and 1910 census, which had separate Indian population schedules, the 1920 U.S. Census included Native Americans in the general population schedule.
1923 statistical study on coal miners
In 1923 a statistical study was conducted on coal miners listed in the 1920 U.S. Census. Codes related to the occupation would be as follows:
- M.H. – coal miners who were also the heads of their households
- B.D. – coal miners who were boarders in a household
- BWF – coal miners who lived in their parent’s household
- USC – “colored” coal miners who were born in the United States (for African American miners)
- USW – “white” coal miners who were born in the United States (for Caucasian miners)
How to Search and Use the 1920 U.S. CensusData
Learn how to search and use the data found in the 1920 U.S. Census. In this section of the Essential 1920 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners, you are provided a review of each group of the 1920 U.S. Census questions, including research insights, tips and tricks, and must-know information to aid your research.
- Definition: Column equals the column of the census where the information is recorded for each person.
Table of Contents for Census Questions
The following is a list of the 1920 U.S. Census questions. Each category provides research insights.
- Location and Dwelling Questions (Col. 1-3)
- Family Number Question (Col. 4)
- Household Composition Question (Col. 5)
- Relationship Question (Col. 6)
- Tenure/Home Questions (Col. 7-8)
- Personal Description Questions (Col. 9-12)
- Citizenship Questions (Col. 13-15)
- Education Questions (Col. 16-18)
- Nativity and Mother Tongue Questions (Col. 19-24)
- Language Question (Col. 25)
- Occupation Questions (Col. 26-28)
- Farm Question (Col. 29)
Each of the following categories will provide you what I consider to be some of the essential research insights, tips and tricks, and more for each of the questions.
Location and Dwelling Questions (Col. 1-3)
How can I use 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 1-3) location and dwelling questions in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 1-3
The questions are as follows:
Col. 1: Street, avenue, road, etc.
Col. 2: House number (In cities)
Col. 3: Dwelling Number
Research tips and insights include:
Location and Dwelling number (Col. 1 -3)
We are provided with the city/town/village/borough, county, and state where the family resides. This can help in defining geographic areas to search for family and records.
Counted in order
The dwelling was the number of houses that were counted.
Cities only
The census taker recorded the following for those living in the city: Name of street, house number, dwelling number in order of visitation, and family number in order of visitation.
Top of the form
At the top of every census form, we are provided with the following information: State, county, township or division of county (e.g., township, town, precinct, district or other civil division), name of institution, ward of the city, supervisor’s district number, enumeration district number and enumeration date and enumerator.
Name of street and number in urban areas
This census provides the name of the street and house number in urban areas.
- Use Google maps to find the address. The name was written at the very left of the census page, with the Number written in column 2. See if the house/residence still exists today by placing the address, city and state in Google maps to see what appears.
- Find the home of an individual online. When you put the address in websites like Zillow.com and Realtor.com, you can see when the dwelling was built. You will be able to determine if this is, in fact, the same place your family lived in. You can also learn what the home is worth in today’s market, square footage, number of bedrooms, baths and images. If the homes were built much after 1920, chances are the individual did not live in the home, but rather is the land where your family lived.
Websites
Search online for genealogy-related websites that are hosted by historical and genealogical societies, city, county, and state libraries/archives, civic and state government.
Search for historical and genealogical societies
Search for a historical and genealogical society in the county to learn about the community; records developed when individuals lived in the area, connect with other genealogists researching the same surname, groups (i.e., church) to which your family belonged.
Use the location to find other resources
Use the location to look for resources such as churches, cemeteries, courthouses, schools, funeral homes, libraries and much more.
Use the location to find modern-day repositories
Use the location to identify modern-day record repositories that are near the place your family lived (e.g., historical societies, genealogical societies, libraries, archives, courthouses.)
Family Number Question (Col. 4)
How can I use the 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 4) family number question in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 4
The question is as follows:
Col. 4: Family Number
Family Number (Col. 4). This was the actual number of families counted.
Research tips and insights include:
Order of household visited
The census is recorded in the order of households visited. Take special note of the dwelling location versus the family number. For example, you could have dwelling 1 and dwelling 2, but for dwelling two, you could have families 2, 3 and 4 living in the dwelling 2. This could be an apartment building or several families living in the same home. If you have people living in the same building, we need to be asking how they are related.
Learn about the circle of influence
You can begin to build the circle of influence for an individual by seeing who the neighbors were.
Search the neighbors
Often neighbors move with neighbors. Are they the same family? Members of the same congregation? Friends? If you can’t follow family or find the family in the census, see if you can follow neighbors. Are the given names similar among the neighbors and your family?
Similar names run in families
This might be a clue that they are more than just neighbors. It has been my experience that neighbors are related even when they don’t share the same name. Look for the neighbors being the wife’s parents, sister of the husband, siblings of the wife, aunts and uncles and so forth. When I couldn’t find an individual in location, I have searched for the names of known neighbors to find my family. Make sure you include the names of neighbors in your family profile.
Household Composition Question (Col. 5)
How can I use the 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 4) household composition question in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 5
The question is as follows:
Col. 5: Name of each person whose place of abode on January 1, 1920, was in this family.
-
- Enter the surname first, then the given name and middle initial, in any.
- Include every person living on January 1, 1920.
- Omit children born since January 1, 1920.
- Composition of the household (Col. 5). Provides members of the household by name.
Research tips and insights include:
As of January 1920
List the persons who lived in the home as of January 1920.
Individual names
Individual names for those in the household.
List order
As a general format, family members are listed in the following order: husband, wife, children by age, parents, brothers, sisters, and so forth.
Death or birth after January 1, 1920
Individuals who died or the birth of children born after April 15, 1920, were not included in the census.
Search military records
Make sure you search all the males in our family over of 1 year old for military records associated with possible service in the U.S. Military service. Yes, you read right when I said 1 year old. Individuals who are 1 will most like be involved in WWII. The military service periods can include: Civil War (1861-1865), Indian Wars (before 1890), Spanish American War (1898). Search out the military records on not only your direct line but also male siblings, uncles, brothers-in-law, and cousins. I have found important information about my direct line when reviewing the pension files of extended family. See the category “Search military records.”
Follow family through the census
Make it a priority to follow your family through censuses during their lifetime (e.g., federal, state, territorial, and local censuses) as well as census schedules if they exist (e.g., population, agriculture, manufacturing, social statistics, crime, mortality, veterans, slave.) The following articles will provide you a detailed example of following a family through the census.
Check original census images
Always seek to see the images of the original census to compare against the transcription.
Search for the same surname
Look closely at persons with the same surname. Could they be a relative? Does the individual show up as a child in the earlier census? Search other records such as deeds, wills to see if the person shows up. Could individuals be in-laws? Check marriages of the entire town, neighboring towns and county for husbands of sisters, aunts, and mothers.
Search pages before and after the listing of an individual
I have found it essential to search for the surname several pages before and after the page where you find your family. This can also help in suggesting relationships between neighbors. Look for added clues such as given first names, occupations, places of origin. When I contact the genealogical/historical societies, I have often sought to find the researchers researching these surnames to compare research.
Extract all with the same surname
Make it a practice to extract all the persons with the same surname living in the same county. Are they family? They could be a family connection or related connection, such as where they came from. If your family lives near a state our county border, go ahead and extract the persons with the same surnames from neighboring counties. I have usually found important clues and connections among those with the same surname to enhance my research.
What to do when you find nicknames in the census
If an individual uses a nickname, check to see if you can find the alternate names. See the articles:
- Use Naming Patterns and Nicknames in Census and Record Research
- Search 494 Male Birth Names and Associated Nicknames
- Search 582 Male Nicknames and Associated Birth Name
- Search 606 Female Birth Names and Associated Nicknames
- Search 702 Female Nicknames and Associated Birth Name
Ages of children
I will always look carefully at the ages of the children and associate them with their parents. For example, if the mother is 28 and some children are children who are 10-14, you have to ask the question, “Is this the mother, or a second marriage?” If a woman lost her husband and remarries, she will be listed as a wife, not a widow. Unlike the 1900 and 1910 census, this census does not ask how long a couple has been married.
Birth and death records
By1920, most counties had started recording vital records (birth and death). By 1925 vital records were recorded in all U.S. counties. Most persons who are recorded in this census will have a birth/death certificate.
Social Security Death Index
If an individual listed in this census lived past 1935, make sure you check the Social Security Death Index.
Relationship Question (Col. 6)
How can I use the 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 6) relationship question in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 6
The question is as follows:
Co. 6: Relationship of this person to the head of the family
Relationship (Col. 6). The census asked for the relationship to head of household.
Research tips and insights include:
Family relationship titles
In this census, you will be seeing titles such as husband, wife, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, niece, nephew and so forth. When you see titles such as niece, nephew, uncle, and aunt, you will still need to investigate which side of the family they belong to. As you connect research from other census years, this will become clearer.
Nonfamily titles
If the family isn’t related to the family, you will see titles like none, hired, servant, and so forth.
Wife may not be the mother of children
Take special note of the wife as to whether she is the mother of the children. Look at age gaps between children. Is the age cap normal? For example, every two years. Are the age gaps more significant than expected? This could be a clue that there was another child or spouse that had passed away. Look at the age of husband and wife. Are they about the same age? Is one spouse much older than the other? If yes, this could be a clue that there is a second marriage. Look at the ages of children and the place of birth. This might provide clues of where the parents were married or from where the family migrated.
Discovering unknown surnames
The relationships column has helped discover previously unknown surnames for married daughters, mother-in-law, cousins, and other relatives living with the family.
Research all relationships
Make sure that you research all the relationships of an individual, including the siblings and their families (i.e., spouses, children), aunts and uncles, grandparents, and even cousins. As you build out the family tree, you will discover critical pieces of information about your direct line when searching extended family. For example, when I couldn’t find information about who were the parents of my direct line in the late 1800s, I was able to learn the information from research I did on siblings.
Tenure/Home Questions (Col. 7-8)
How can I use 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 7-8) tenure questions in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 7-8
The questions are as follows:
Col. 7: Home owned or rented
Col. 8: If owned, free or mortgaged
Research tips and insights include:
Renting/ownership of home (Col. 7-8)
Answers to these questions can be clues to searching for land and tax records.
Personal Description Questions (Col. 9-12)
How can I use 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 9-12) personal description questions in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 9-12
The questions are as follows:
Col. 9: Sex
Col. 10: Color or race
Col. 11: Age at last birthday
Col. 12: Single, married, widowed, divorced
Sex (Col. 9). You will either see (M) for male and (F) for female.
Research tips and insights include:
Color or race (Col. 10)
In this census, these were the choices enumerators used for color White (W), Black (B), Chinese (Ch), Japanese (J.P.), Indian (IN), Mulatto (Mu), Other (Ot). This information may help determine the person’s origins.
Age at last birthday
This is not the exact date of birth, but it will provide a “ballpark” number that you can use to help you track the person in the next census and search for birth event records of the period.
- Children under the age of 1. Children under the age of 1 were represented months as fractions, such as 1/12 meaning 1 month, 4/12 meaning for months.
- Search other records. There are good chances that many individuals listed in this census did not have civil birth records. I would always check to see if there are birth records and then look for church records. Start your search for these types of records at the genealogical/historical society.
- Look closely at age gaps. Look at age gaps between children. Is the age gap average? For example, every two years. Are the age gaps more significant than expected? This could be a clue that there was another child or spouse that had passed away. Look at the age of husband and wife. Are they about the same age? Is one spouse much older than the other? If yes, this could be a clue that there is a second marriage. Look at the ages of children and the place of birth. This might provide clues of where the parents were married or from where the family migrated.
- Children of the same age. If you find children who are the same age, don’t just assume they are twins. Make sure they are not cousins who are being raised in the same home.
Marital status (Col. 12)
In this series of columns, we are told whether the person is single (s), married (M), widowed (Wd) or divorced (D).
- Married one or more times. Look for enumerator marks such as M1 (first marriage), M2 (second marriage) M3 (third marriage) and so forth. Suppose you have marks such as M2/M3. In that case, you will need to look carefully at the family composition and build a strategy of the documents you will search for related to multiple marriages (e.g., marriage, divorce, death). You will also need to compare the questions related to years married and the number of children associated with the mother. Does the composition of the family match what you are finding?
- Widowed. If the person is widowed, consider looking for wills and probate records, military pensions, death event records of a spouse.
- Divorced. If the person is divorced, search court records for divorced proceedings.
- Number of years in present marriage. Unlike the 1900 and 1910 census, this census does not ask how long a couple has been married.
Citizenship Questions (Col. 13-15)
How can I use 1920 U.S. Census(Col. 13-15) citizenship questions in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 13-15
The questions are as follows:
Col. 13: Year of immigration to the United States
Col. 14: Naturalized or alien
Col. 15: If naturalized, year of naturalization
Research tips and insights include:
Citizenship (Col. 13-15)
The 1920 U.S. Census asks for the year of the immigration and whether naturalized. This will make it easier of when to start looking for the individual’s paper trail/records in the U.S. Look carefully indication whether the person has applied for citizenship, or naturalized (A or A.L. – Alien; N.A. – Naturalized; N.R. – Not Reported; P.A. – First Papers Filed).
- Alien (AL). Individual is board abroad has not taken any steps toward becoming an American citizen.
- Naturalize (N.A.). Individuals have become a full citizen by taking out the second or final papers of naturalization.
- First Papers (P.A.). Individual has declared the intention of becoming an American citizen.
- When naturalized. If the individual was naturalized, look at records related to immigration such as ships passenger list
Additional questions
This is the first census after WWI. Additional questions were asked of immigrants from Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, & Turkey. Some were even asked specific questions about the town of origin for those born in other countries. Enumerators were instructed to spell out the name of the city, state, province, or region of respondents who declared that they or their parents had been born in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, or Turkey. Because of the questions asked of these immigrants, many researchers will be able to discover the exact towns or regions from which their families emigrated.
Education Questions (Col. 16-18)
How can I use 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 16-18) educations questions in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 16-18
The questions are as follows:
Col. 16: Attended school since 9/1/1919
Col. 17: Whether able to read
Col. 18: Whether able to write
Education (Col. 16-18). This identifies if the person had gone to school since September 1, 1919. This will provide clues to look for school records that can associate children with parents. Look for records such as school census.
Research tips and insights include:
Cannot read and write
Use this information to confirm that you have the right person when searching other records. For example, you are searching wills of individuals with the same name as the one you are researching. The census records said that the individual could read and write. You find the wills of two persons with the same name. One marked his will with an X the other signed his name on the will. The person using the X most likely couldn’t read or write. Since you are looking for someone who could read and write, the X should raise caution flags that this person may not be the person you are looking for.
Nativity and Mother Tongue Questions (Col. 19-24)
How can I use 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 19-24) nativity and mother tongue questions in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 19-24
The questions are as follows:
Place of birth of each person and parents of each person enumerated. If born in the U.S., give the state or territory. If foreign birth, give the place of birth and mother tongue.
Col. 19: Person—Place of birth
Col. 20: Person—Mother Tongue
Col. 21: Father—Place of birth
Col. 22: Father—Mother Tongue
Col. 23: Mother—Place of birth
Col. 24: Mother—Mother Tongue
Research tips and insights include:
Place of birth and mother tongue (Col. 19-24)
This census provides the birthplace of each person along with the mother tongue. If born in the United States, they were to give the state or territory. If the individual had a foreign birth, they were to give the country.
Place of birth
This information is critical to helping you develop scenarios of where to search for family.
Narrow search to geographic area
Use this information to narrow your search for records to the geographic area, even town. Also very helpful with clues to immigration or migration.
Mother tongue for mother and father
The enumerator was to record the first language the individual spoke. If the language is other than English, also look carefully at the immigration columns.
Numerator code
When the enumerator recorded place of birth, they could have used a two-letter code for a state or written the name of the state out or another abbreviation. For example, North Dakota could have been written as N.D., North Dakota. If you see a code that is only one letter, such as O, it could mean Oklahoma, Ohio, or Oregon. Make no assumptions. You will need to check the 1900 and 1910 census to see if you can find clues to help your resolve the limited information.
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, or Turkey
Enumerators were instructed to spell out the name of the city, state, province, or region of respondents who declared that they or their parents had been born in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, or Turkey. Because of the questions asked of these immigrants, many researchers will be able to discover the exact towns or regions from which their families emigrated.
Language Question (Col. 25)
How can I use the 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 25) language question in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 25
The question is as follows:
Col. 25: Able to speak English
Research tips and insights include:
Speaks English or other (Col. 25)
If a person cannot speak English, it may be a clue that the person is an immigrant. Look closely at the census columns 13-15 as they are related to citizenship.
Occupation Questions (Col. 26-28)
How can I use 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 26-28) occupation questions in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 26-28
The questions are as follows:
Col. 26: Trade, profession, or particular kind of work done as a spinner, salesman, laborer, etc.
Col. 27: Industry, business, or establishment at work, as cotton mill, dry goods, store, farm, etc.
Col. 28: Employer or employee
Occupation (Col. 26-28). This indicates the person’s occupation and related information can help one search for employment records.
Research tips and insights include:
Over age 15
The occupation was recorded for persons over age 15.
Search for professional directories
When occupations are mentioned, search for occupational directories. Directories can list as little as a name to entire profiles of families.
Look carefully at the occupation/trade
Look carefully at the person’s occupation/trade and define what types of records might exist. You will see answers such as frame spinner, salesman, laborer, rivet heater, music teacher. I had an individual who was a merchant, which led me to look for a business license, business/professional directory, ads for his business in the newspaper and related documents, all of which I found. Another genealogist had an ancestor who was a clergy member, which led them to search and find church records.
Enumerator codes
You may see the letter E, or Emp, or Empl or the full word, Employer. O.A. (on account), W (wage worker).
Farm Question (Col. 29)
How can I use the 1920 U.S. Census (Col. 29) farm question in my research?
The 1920 U.S. Census questions for columns 29
The question is as follows:
Col. 29: Number of farm schedule
Research tips and insights include:
Number on farm schedule (Col. 29)
Suppose a number is listed for a “Farm Schedule,” look for the farm schedule associated with the 1920 U.S. Census. When I have such information, it has helped me gain a better understanding of the family.
[Return to Questions TOC]
[Return to Guide TOC]
How 1920 U.S. Census Can Lead to Military Records
Even though there is no information in the 1920 U.S. Census identifying veterans of war, there are still men living who served in one or more military wars and conflicts. The records available for these veterans vary but can yield important clues and knowledge about the individual and their family. For example:
- Pension applications. Search for pension applications and records of pension payments for veterans, their widows, and other heirs. The pension applications usually provide the most information. They can include supporting documents such as marriage, birth, and death records/certificates, pages from family Bibles, family letters, dispositions of witnesses, affidavits, discharge papers and other supporting documents. Even if an individual did not receive a pension, see if his pension request was denied.
- Search family photographs and artifacts. Family photographs can be an excellent source for identifying which persons were involved in which war or military conflict they may have served. It is rare for individuals serving in the military not to have their photographs in their uniforms. You may also find cards, letters, and related military memorabilia. I have also found the local newspaper to be a rich source of information about family during periods of war.
Start your search by looking for these military records:
Early Indian Wars 1815-1858
Look for military records of men serving in the Early Indian Wars who are 80+ in the 1920 U.S. Census. These men would have been born before 1840.
Mexican War 1846-1848
Look for military records of men serving in the Mexican Wars who are 90+ in the 1920 U.S. Census. These men would have been born before 1832.
Civil War 1861-1865
Look for military records of men who would have served in the U.S. Civil War who are 70+ in the 1920 U.S. Census. These men would have been born in 1855 and earlier. Keep in mind that many young men lied about their age and served with their father, brother (s), or other family members. If an individual lived in the Union or Confederate states, they could have very easily served in their army. Many men who were in the Union served in the Confederacy. And many men from the South served in the Union Army. Make sure that you search for all male family members (i.e., father, sons, brothers, uncles, and nephews.) The Civil War enlistment card will give you clues of an individual’s location and place of residence. See the article: How to Find Civil War Soldier Records for Writing Narratives
Later Indian Wars (Before 1890
Look for military records of men serving in the later Indian Wars who are 50+ in the 1920 U.S. Census. These men would have been born before 1880.
Spanish American War 1898
Look for military records of men serving in the Spanish American War who are 40+ in the 1920 U.S. Census. These men would have been born before 1880.
World War I 1917-1919
Be aware that many of the males between the ages of 20-40 in the 1920 U.S. Census were most like be involved in the most recent World War I. These men would have been born in 1900 and before. See the article: How to Find WWI Soldier Records for Writing Narratives
World War II 1917-1919
Be aware that many of the males under the age of 30 years old in the 1920 U.S. Census will most like be involved or register for the draft in the future World War II. These men would have been born in 1910 and before. See the article: How to Find WWII Soldier Records for Writing Narratives
Korean War 1950-1953
The Korean War was a war between North
Researching military headstones
Military headstones have evolved through time. See the following article for details: Meaning of Each Religious Emblem of Belief for U.S. Military Headstones
(Video) Introduction to U.S. Military Headstones. An introduction to U.S. military headstones provides an understanding of the design, history, symbolism, and individual and family research.
Use the 1920 U.S. Census to Calculate the Birth Year
In Column 11 of the 1920 U.S. Population Census, learn the age of each member of the household. The following 1920 U.S. Census Birth Year Reference Chart will provide the approximate corresponding birth year for the age provided. For more information, see the following article: How to Use the Census to Calculate the Birth Year
Age calculated as of January 1, 1920.
| 1920 U.S. Census Birth Year Reference Chart | |||||
| Age | Birth Year | Age | Birth Year | Age | Birth Year |
| Mar 0/12 | 1920 | 28 | 1892 | 67 | 1853 |
| Feb 1/12 | 1920 | 29 | 1891 | 68 | 1852 |
| Jan 2/12 | 1920 | 30 | 1890 | 69 | 1851 |
| Dec 3/12 | 1920 | 31 | 1889 | 70 | 1850 |
| Nov 4/12 | 1919 | 32 | 1888 | 71 | 1849 |
| Oct 5/12 | 1919 | 33 | 1887 | 72 | 1848 |
| Sep 6/12 | 1919 | 34 | 1886 | 73 | 1847 |
| Aug 7/12 | 1919 | 35 | 1885 | 74 | 1846 |
| Jul 8/12 | 1919 | 36 | 1884 | 75 | 1845 |
| Jun 9/12 | 1919 | 37 | 1883 | 76 | 1844 |
| May 10/12 | 1919 | 38 | 1882 | 77 | 1843 |
| Apr 11/12 | 1919 | 39 | 1881 | 78 | 1842 |
| 1 | 1919 | 40 | 1880 | 79 | 1841 |
| 2 | 1918 | 41 | 1879 | 80 | 1840 |
| 3 | 1917 | 42 | 1878 | 81 | 1839 |
| 4 | 1916 | 43 | 1877 | 82 | 1838 |
| 5 | 1915 | 44 | 1876 | 83 | 1837 |
| 6 | 1914 | 45 | 1875 | 84 | 1836 |
| 7 | 1913 | 46 | 1874 | 85 | 1835 |
| 8 | 1912 | 47 | 1873 | 86 | 1834 |
| 9 | 1911 | 48 | 1872 | 87 | 1833 |
| 10 | 1910 | 49 | 1871 | 88 | 1832 |
| 11 | 1909 | 50 | 1870 | 89 | 1831 |
| 12 | 1908 | 51 | 1869 | 90 | 1830 |
| 13 | 1907 | 52 | 1868 | 91 | 1829 |
| 14 | 1906 | 53 | 1867 | 92 | 1828 |
| 15 | 1905 | 54 | 1866 | 93 | 1827 |
| 16 | 1904 | 55 | 1865 | 94 | 1826 |
| 17 | 1903 | 56 | 1864 | 95 | 1825 |
| 18 | 1902 | 57 | 1863 | 96 | 1824 |
| 19 | 1901 | 58 | 1862 | 97 | 1823 |
| 20 | 1900 | 59 | 1861 | 98 | 1822 |
| 21 | 1899 | 60 | 1860 | 99 | 1821 |
| 22 | 1898 | 61 | 1859 | 100 | 1820 |
| 23 | 1897 | 62 | 1858 | 101 | 1819 |
| 24 | 1896 | 63 | 1857 | 102 | 1818 |
| 25 | 1895 | 64 | 1856 | 103 | 1817 |
| 26 | 1894 | 65 | 1855 | 104 | 1816 |
| 27 | 1893 | 66 | 1854 | 105 | 1815 |
Census taker instructions for age on 1920 U.S. Census. The following are the exact instructions given to the census taker (enumerator):
122. Column 11. Age at last birthday.– This question calls for the age in completed years at last birthday. Remember, however, that the age question, like all other questions on the schedule, relates to January 1, 1920. Thus a person whose exact age on January 1, the census day, is 17 years, 11 months, and 25 days should be returned simply as 17, because that is his age at last birthday before January 1, although at the time of your visit he may have completed 18 years.
123. Age in round numbers.-In many cases person will report the age in round numbers, like 30 or 45, or “about 30” or “about 45,” when that is not the exact age. Therefore, when an age ending in 0 or 5 is reported, you should ascertain whether it is the exact age. If, however, it is impossible to get the exact age, enter the approximate age rather than return the age as unknown.
124. Ages of children.-Take particular pains to get the exact ages of children. In the case of a child not 5 years old, the age should be given in completed months, expressed as twelfths of a year. Thus the age of a child 3 months old would be entered as 3/12, a child 7 months old as 7.12, a child 1 year and 3 months old a 1 3/12, a child exactly 3 years old as 3 0/12, a child 3 years and 1 month old as 3 1/12, etc. If a child is not yet a month old, enter the age as 0/12. But note again that this question should be answered with reference to January 1. For instance, a child who is just a year old on the 5th of January 1920 should nevertheless be returned as 11.12, because that is its age in completed months on January 1.
What is the 1920 U.S. Federal Census?
A census is a government-sponsored enumeration of the population in a particular area. It contains a variety of information — names, heads of household (or all household members), ages, citizenship status, ethnic background, and so on. Here are some different types of census records you are likely to come across in your research.
U.S. federal census is also called a population schedule. Federal census records provide the building blocks of your research, allowing you to confirm the information and learn more. Compiled in the United States for every decade since 1790, census population schedules are comprehensive, detailed records of the federal government’s decennial survey of American households. The federal government uses information from the schedules for demographic analysis.
The schedules themselves, of interest primarily to genealogists, contain the personal information of the survey respondents. To protect the people’s privacy whose names appear in each schedule, census records are restricted for 72 years after the census is taken and are not available to researchers during that time.
What Can You Find in U.S. Census
Use the 1920 U.S. Census Guide to learn about and discover the stories of the people who lived during and before the 1920s. With the 1920 U.S. census information, you can, for starters, build individual and family profiles, write narratives, build family trees and find related records to research. For example, you can use the census to:
- Identify head of household
- Identify members of the household by name
- Identify relationships—surnames of married daughter, mother-in-law, cousins, other relatives
- Indicate that wife may not be the mother of kids
- Identify ages of individuals by name
- Begin to establish family relationships (e.g., spouse, children, siblings, parents)
- Identify people of color: White (W), Black (B), Chinese (Ch), Japanese (J.P.), Indian (IN), Mulatto (Mu), Other (Ot).
- Begin to identify possible remarriages and step relationships
- Identify birthplace of parents-immigrant information
- Supplement birth/marriage info. Due to relationship info.
- Locate and identify birthplaces
- Identify month of birth
- Identify year of marriage
- Determine year of immigration
- Identify
Questions Asked in the 1920 U.S. Census
The following are the questions found on the 1920 U.S. federal census:
PLACE OF ABODE
Col. 1: Street, avenue, road, etc.
Col. 2: House number (In cities)
Col. 3: Dwelling Number
Col. 4: Family Number
NAME
Col. 5: Name of each person whose place of abode on January 1, 1920, was in this family.
- Enter surname first, then the given name and middle initial, in any.
- Include every person living on January 1, 1920.
- Omit children born since January 1, 1920.
RELATIONSHIP
Co. 6: Relationship of this person to the head of the family
TENURE
Col. 7: Home owned or rented
Col. 8: If owned, free or mortgaged
PERSONAL DESCRIPTION
Col. 9: Sex
Col. 10: Color or race
Col. 11: Age at last birthday
Col. 12: Single, married, widowed, divorced
CITIZENSHIP
Col. 13: Year of immigration to the United States
Col. 14: Naturalized or alien
Col. 15: If naturalized, year of naturalization
EDUCATION
Col. 16: Attended school since 9/1/1919
Col. 17: Whether able to read
Col. 18: Whether able to write
NATIVITY AND MOTHER TONGUE
Place of birth of each person and parents of each person enumerated. If born in US, give the state or territory. If foreign birth, give the place of birth and mother tongue.
Col. 19: Person—Place of birth
Col. 20: Person—Mother Tongue
Col. 21: Father—Place of birth
Col. 22: Father—Mother Tongue
Col. 23: Mother—Place of birth
Col. 24: Mother—Mother Tongue
LANGUAGE
Col. 25: Able to speak English
OCCUPATION
Col. 26: Trade, profession, or particular kind of work done as spinner, salesman, laborer, etc.
Col. 27: Industry, business, or establishment in which at work, as cotton mill, dry goods, store, farm, etc.
Col. 28: Employer or employee
MISC
Col. 29: Number of farm schedule
Author B. Schreiber’s Introduction to the U.S. Census
I first used the U.S. census to help find and discover the past of my step-father, John. I was interested in writing a personal narrative about his life. I wanted to answer questions like.
- Where was he born?
- Who was his family?
- What was his family story?
- What was it like during different periods of his life?
- Are there any family records (e.g., birth, marriage, school, death, etc.) that exist?
- Are there any photos, journals, letters, memorabilia about the individual or family?
- Are there living families or descendants that I can interview or help tell the story?
I did not have much information. I knew where he was buried. He was born in either the 1920s/1930s. He was born in one of four states, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania. John had been married to my mother for about 5 years. After their divorce, my mother lost track of him until she received a call from the police department one day asking if she knew John. John’s body had been left in a hospital’s emergency room parking lot without any personal identification. His body was taken to a local morgue, where he remained for four months until he was identified by my mother. My mother then took steps to have John’s remains buried in a nearby cemetery with a military headstone.
I shared the story with a friend of mine who was a genealogist/family historian. She asked me if I had ever thought of looking in the U.S. Census. I responded with the answer of no and questioned her about how the c
She invited me to join her at a local library, where over the next couple of hours, she began to show me the census of the 1940s, 1930s, and 1920s. Within a couple of hours, she helped me find John and his related family in and around Jersey City, New Jersey. From those humble beginnings, I used the census as a steppingstone to finding records, locating living members of John’s family, and so much more.
In short, John was born in the late 1920s in Jersey City. Growing up, he became a bookie for the mob when he was in his early 20s. When he was caught stealing from the mob, the mob put out a contract on his life.
Desperately needing help, John went to his brother, a captain for the local police department, for safety. His brother was able to work directly with the mob to negotiate for Johns’s life. John was required to pay the money back with interest and leave town, never to return. He was a soldier in WWII and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. When he met my mom, he was a dispatcher for a taxi cab company.
From that first experience, I spent 1000s hours learning how to use the U.S. 1940-1790 Censuses as a primary resource for my narrative and background research about individuals, families, and character development.
