Census Records: Key to Tracing Swedish Ancestry
Census records play kind of the same role in tracing ancestry in North America as household examination records do in Sweden. There may of course be a whole range of other records than censuses to research, depending on your research question. However, censuses are included in almost all research projects tracing Swedish ancestors in Canada the U.S. In addition, census records are often a very good starting point.
Canada and the U.S. have some similarities in their census histories. U.S. federal censuses have been conducted every 10 years since 1790. Certain U.S. states have also held censuses of their own between the federal census years. Canada has conducted censuses every 10 year since 1871, and also before that in individual colonies. Canada also organized shorter censuses every five year (years ending with 6). All of these censuses may contain pieces to your Swedish American ancestry puzzle.
First U.S. Census Records in 1790
The U.S. 1790 federal census included the original 13 states, as well as certain districts and territories. It only recorded the name of the head of the household, while other members were simply counted as numbers. Consequently, you will not find the names of children, wives, or enslaved individuals in the 1790 census records. You will find the number of people in these categories: free white males aged 16 and up, free white males under 16, free white females, all other free persons, and slaves.
It should be noted that the number of Swedes were not more than perhaps 2000 to 3000 at that time. Many of them were descendants of settlers from the former New Sweden colony (1638–1655) in present-day Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, which had been taken over by the Dutch and later the British.
Names Added in 1850 & 1870 U.S. Censuses
The 1850 federal census was the first to record the names of every free person in each household. This means you can find the names of all non-enslaved women and children in those census records. This is especially helpful for tracing individuals of Swedish descent in the U.S., as Swedish immigrants were included in this census.
In addition to names, the 1850 census also recorded information about the indivildual’s schooling, taxes, crimes, wages, estate values, and mortality. The 1870 census, taken after the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, included the names of all household members.
First Canadian Census Records in 1871
The 1871 Canadian Census covered the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and parts of Manitoba. It emphasized farming, fishing, and industry. It recorded names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, religion, and ethnic origins, which can help confirm Swedish heritage. The census also documented land ownership, household members, and migration patterns, offering clues about family movements.
Since many Swedish immigrants worked in farming, forestry, or fishing, the agricultural and industrial schedules may provide insights into their livelihoods. Some Swedes also moved from Canada to the U.S. and vise versa before settling down. If you cannot find your ancestor in U.S. censuses maybe you will in Canadian.
Peak of Immigration: 1880 & 1890 U.S. Censuses
The peak of Swedish emigration to North America occurred in the 1880s. The U.S. census records of 1880, and especially the one of 1890, are therefore of great interest when tracing Swedish immigrants there.
The 1880 U.S. federal census was the first to record the relationship of each person to the head of the household. This addition made it easier for todays genealogists to determine family connections. The 1880 census also recorded the birthplaces of each person’s parents, the person’s number of years in the U.S., and their citizen status. This information is very valuable for tracing immigrant ancestry. It would have been excellent to have that kind information for the year 1890 as well.
Unfortunately, most of the 1890 U.S federal census was destroyed in a fire in 1921, leaving a small number of surviving records. A bit more than 6000 persons were possible to extract from the remains of the 1890 census, out of the then close to 63 million U.S. population. A search for people born in Sweden in the digitized 1890 census remains at FamilySearch, gives only a few hits. Because of this huge loss of data, researchers tracing their Swedish American roots must rely on other records from that time period. Records such as U.S. city directories, state censuses, the 1890 veterans schedules, tax records, or land deeds, may provide useful information to fill the gap.
Swedes in 1881 & 1891 Canadian Census Records
The 1881 Canadian census covered all provinces and territories that were part of Canada at the time, including Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories. The 1891 census followed a similar format, collecting information on population, occupation, religion, and ethnicity.
Both the 1881 and 1891 Canadian censuses recorded information such as names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, and ethnic origins. This information is useful in confirming Swedish heritage and tracking migration patterns. The 1891 census added more detail, including year of immigration and parents’ birthplaces, helping researchers trace family movements and connections. This is particularly useful for tracing Swedes who passed through Canada before settling in the U.S., or vice versa. It may also prove useful to trace Swedes to communities the established in provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.
North America Censuses in 1900s
The censuses of the 1900s are of course also helpful when researching Swedish immigrants to North America. If your ancestors immigrated to the U.S. in the 1880s, the census of 1900 may be the best replacement record for the burnt 1890s census data.
In the United States, the most recent available census for genealogy research is from 1950. This is because the U.S. has a 72-year privacy rule for federal census records, meaning the 1950 census became publicly available in 2022. The 1950 U.S. Census is particularly valuable for confirming immigration details and family connections. It records each person’s name, age, and birthplace, helping identify Swedish ancestors and their origins. The census also notes their citizenship status, which may give you clues to look for naturalization records and passports.
In Canada, the most recent available census for genealogical purposes is from 1931. Canada has a 92-year privacy period for its census records, so the 1931 census was released in 2023. The 1931 Canadian census is especially valuable because it provides key details on immigration and ethnic origin. It records each person’s name, age, birthplace, and ethnic origin, allowing researchers to confirm Swedish ancestry. It also notes year of immigration, which helps trace when Swedish immigrants arrived in Canada.
Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna
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