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From: <>
Subject: [RHEA-L] 1890 Federal Census
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 1998 16:51:29 EST

Its very important that you read this. Many new genealogists do not realize
that we do not have all of the 1890 census available, and many of us did not
realize what states we do have and that there are only 6,000 names are
available in that time period. Pat

<< 2. Genealogist's Greatest Loss: What Happened to the 1890 Federal Census?

Many genealogy researchers have become frustrated once they began searching
for the 1890 US Federal Census. Soon, the researchers learn the 1890
Schedules was destroyed by a fire in the National Archives in 1921. This
statement is only partially true. Part of the census was lost in 1921 but
the fate of the remaining schedules stands testament to the dangers of
government miscommunication and red tape.

The Eleventh Census of the United States taken in June 1890 would have
provided a wonderful study of our country if available today. Over 47,000
enumerators usually chosen by political appointment, distributed the
schedules in advance to give the residents time to complete the forms. Once
completed the population of the US topped over 62 million individuals.

Shortly before publication in 1896, the original 1890 special schedules for
mortality, crime, pauperism and benevolence, special classes, and portions
of the transportation and insurance schedules were damaged and finally
destroyed by the Department of the Interior. However, according to a 1903
census clerk the general population schedules seem to be in good shape.

In the afternoon of January 10, 1921, the schedules were located in the
basement of the Commerce Building. That afternoon, building fireman James
Foster reported seeing smoke. The fire department was called.

The fire was contained to the basement level of the building but flooded
most of the area. Once extinguished no immediate surveys were done of the
damage. The records were allowed to remain soaking in water overnight.
The next morning when the damage was assessed. The census director, Sam
Rogers sent a note to the Secretary of Commerce reporting:

"...a cursory examination show that the census schedules from 1790 to and
including 1870, with the exception of those for 1830 and 1840, are on the
fifth floor of the Commerce Building and have not been damaged. The
schedules of the censuses of 1830, 1840, 1880, 1900 and 1910 have been
damaged by water, and it is estimated that ten percent of these schedules
will have to be opened and dried and some of them recopied."
These schedules were located in the basement in a vault considered at the
time to be fire and waterproof. However, the archivist had discovered a
small broken pane of glass, which allowed water to seep in damaging the
schedules located in low shelves.

The 1890 schedule did not fair as well. It was located outside the vault.
Director Sam Rogers continued and reported in the same document to the
Secretary of Commerce the damage.

"Approximately 25 percent of these schedules have been destroyed and it is
estimated the 50 per cent of the remainder have been damaged by water, smoke
and fire."

The preliminary report by Census Bureau Clerk T. J. Fitzgerald was much more
pessimistic. Fitzgerald reported that the 1890 records were ruined and that
no method of restoration would be capable of restoring the records.

The cause of the 1921 fire was never determined. Although some speculate
that a worker in the basement was smoking and set off the blaze. Others
believe that bundles of papers spontaneously combusted causing the blaze.

The remaining schedules of the 1890 census abandoned by the government,
survived for many years. Rumors speculated that Census Director Sam Rogers
had recommended that the schedules be destroyed. The public and historians
were outraged and began a letter writing campaign. Each letter received much
the same reply. Everyone was told that the records were no going to be
destroyed and plans were being made to provide a suitable archive.

In May of 1921, the census remained in temporary storage and the new census
director William Steuart reported they would gradually deteriorate. The
records were returned to the census building for storage at Stueart's order.

Ten years would pass and finally in December of 1932, the Chief clerk of the
Bureau of Census sent the Librarian of Congress a list of papers to destroy.
Included in the list was Item 22, "Schedules, Population-1890, Original."
The librarian gave the okay to destroy the list of records including the
1890 Census Schedule. Congress authorized the destruction and February 21,
1933. Only a small note in the census bureau file marks the official demise
of the record. It state "remaining schedules destroyed by Department of
Commerce in 1934 (not approved by the Geographer.)"

Sadly, just one day before Congress authorized the destruction of the
census; President Herbert Hoover laid the cornerstone of the permanent
National Archives building.

Of course, many researchers fail to realize that some of the original
schedule still exists. In 1942 during the move to the new building a bundle
of the Illinois schedules appeared during a shipment. In 1953, more
fragments were discovered including those from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois,
Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas
and the District of Columbia. The remnants of the 1890 census have been
filmed and are available through many sources. There are only three rolls of
microfilm containing the records. Only about 6,000 names are listed on these
precious pieces of our past.

Many researchers lament over the loss of these records but we must be
grateful that most pages of the United States Federal Census Schedules
survived. Imagine just how difficult North American research would be
without the census.
>>

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