The 1950 Census is Almost Here!

Get the countdown clock ready! On April 1st (just four days away!) the 1950 United States census will be made available to the public. The census, which has been taken every ten years by the federal government since 1790, provides a treasure trove of population information for genealogists, historians, social scientists, and the general public. Why is there such a long wait for access? This is due to a 72-year restriction on these records, starting from the time they were created--and they are only released by the National Archives upon expiration of the restriction. This means that after this year, we will have to wait until 2032 for the release of the 1960 census.

Census Bureau employees transferring data from the 1940 census
questionnaire to punch cards for tabulation. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

For more information about the United State Census, visit: https://www.archives.gov/research/census

Having trouble locating a census record from 1790-1940? This page will help you find what you need: https://www.archives.gov/research/census/online-resources

Kaitlin Connolly
Reference Librarian

CENSUS 2010

The United States Census Bureau has released Massachusetts' 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race & Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting. The information is available on the website of the Secretary of State at www.sec.state.ma.us/census.

As a result of the population figures, Massachusetts will lose one seat in the United States House of Representatives. We will go from 10 to 9 U.S. Representatives. Each of the 9 districts should have approximately 727,514 inhabitants. The Massachusetts Legislature (General Court) has formed a Special Joint Redistricting Committee chaired by Senator Stanley C. Rosenberg and Representative Michael J. Moran.

The committee has scheduled hearings in Springfield, Brockton and Worcester among others (www.malegislature.gov).

The State Library has a display of redistricting maps from previous years outside of room 341.

The Library also has the results of previous U.S. Censuses dating back to the first Census in 1790. These volumes are at the Reference Desk in room 341.

Massachusetts took its own census in the years ending in 5.

The Census is an important series of documents that are used by the Federal Government in determining monies given to the states for various programs.

The Government Documents Staff

September 16th Brown Bag on the Economic Census

Join us for a BROWN BAG LUNCH on
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
State Library of Massachusetts
Room 442 State House
12 noon until 1:30 PM

Bring your lunch and hear Arthur Bakis, Information Services Specialist at the Boston Regional Census Center, speak specifically about the Economic Census, conducted by the Census Bureau every five years ending in 2 and 7. This Census essentially does for business what the Decennial Census does for population and housing. Arthur will navigate attendees through the Census website to access Economic Census data for states, counties and communities.

Please RSVP to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MDHWVKB. You may also call Reference directly at 617- 727-2590 or e-mail the department at reference.department@state.ma.us to register. Sponsored by the Friends of the State Library.

Census, the Library and YOU

The State Library's census collection dates back to 1790, the first year the federal census was taken. When you search our online catalog, you will find over 200 entries about the census.

As a selective Federal Documents Depository, the State Library receives all Census Bureau publications for Massachusetts. The Library is also an affiliate of the State Data Center.

State Data Centers are cooperative programs between the Census Bureau and the states. This program ensures that the public has access to data produced by the U.S. Government, Bureau of the Census. The Data Center Program started in 1978.

In Massachusetts, the Data Center is part of the Economic and Public Policy Research unit at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute. The Institute is in the Office of the President of the University.

On the Library's website you will find the Massachusetts State Census results from 1855 to 1975. Be sure to search under the heading Digital Collections in the gray area for Online Services.

In December of 2010, the Census Bureau will be releasing the results of the 2010 Decenial Census.

Bette Siegel
Documents Librarian

Treasures of the State Library for May, 2010 - Reports on Native Americans in Massachusetts

The State Library owns many materials about Native American life and culture in the Commonwealth. Among the special holdings of the library are two reports from the 1800's concerning Native Americans in Massachusetts. The Reference Department has had several requests for these, and they are being added to our electronic repository.

In 1827, the Massachusetts House of Representatives Report Number 68 was published. It speaks "on the condition of the Native Americans and Descendents, in this Commonwealth." This document focuses not only on the "census" of Indians in the state, but also reports on their schooling, on land issues, and suggests a system of government which would include a "Guardian" appointed by the Governor as well as an "overseer" chosen by the Indians themselves. The General Court also passed a law in 1827 assuring that 300 copies of the report were printed and that copies were distributed to those discussed. This document will be available electronically very soon.

A second report is from 1871 and is entitled:

Report of the Commissioner appointed to complete the examination and determination of all questions of title to land, and of all boundary lines between the individual owners, at Gay Head, on the Island of Martha's Vineyard.

This piece begins with a beautiful discussion of the area of Gay Head and its geology. It reports on religious aspects of the area. Land ownership and land boundaries, very significant historical concerns, are addressed. The appendix provides its main component, a detailed census of the area. Often known as the "Pease Report" its main author was Richard L. Pease, the Commissioner appointed to compile the study.

Pamela W. Schofield
Reference Department