The first United States census took place in 1790, at the close of the country's first decade of freedom—making it the first country ever to call for a regularly held census. The Constitution required that a census of all "Persons...excluding Indians not taxed" be registered to determine the collection of taxes and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives. The enumerators of that census counted just under four million people, with three million of those living on farms.
   The first nine censuses from 1790-1870 were organized under the United States Federal Court system. Each district was assigned a U.S. marshal who hired other marshals to administer the census. Governors were responsible for enumeration in territories.
   The jurisdiction of the original thirteen states canvassed an area of seventeen present states. Schedules survive for eleven of the thirteen original states: Connecticut, Maine (part of Massachusetts at the time), Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont. (Vermont became the fourteenth state early in 1791 and was included in the census schedules).
   Enumerators of the 1790 census were asked to include the following categories in the census: name of head of household, number of free white males of sixteen years and older, number of free white males under sixteen years, number of free white females, number of all other free persons, number of slaves, and sometimes town or district of residence.
   This first United States census schedules differs in format from later census material, as each enumerator was expected to make his own copies on whatever paper he could find. Unlike later census schedules, enumerators could arrange the records as they pleased. They were only required to make one copy of the census schedules to be held by the clerk of the district court in their respective area.
   In 1830, Congress passed a law requiring the return of all decennial censuses from 1790-1830. At this point it was discovered that many of the 1790 schedules had been lost or destroyed. Fortunately, the documents with our family members survived. The Hauses in our line lived in Warwick, Orange Co., New York, at the time. William Hause (written as "Hawse") already has a family of ten. Also note the presence on the same census page of the Ketcham's—the family that William's son, John, would marry into. But also note that there is a John Hause ("Haws") registered in Warwick at the time, as well. He's either an elder of William or a sibling, because this John has a wife, and William's son, 17-year-old John, would not be married until 1796. So could this be William's father? He is probably the "John Huus" who died in 1795 and mentioned wife Sarah with sons William and Simon Hause in his 1794 will, since he does not reappear on the 1800 census:

Personal Information Census Image Name:   John Haws Township:   Warwick County:   Orange State:   New York Year:   1790 Roll:   M637_6 Page:   147 Image:   0348 View image View blank 1790 census form  (PDF 13K) Personal Information Census Image Name:   William Hawse Township:   Warwick County:   Orange State:   New York Year:   1790 Roll:   M637_6 Page:   147 Image:   0349 View image View blank 1790 census form  (PDF 13K) SOURCE INFORMATION: Index created from United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States in the Year 1790.

1800 CENSUS:

Personal Information Census Image Name: Hawes, William Township: Warwick County: Orange State: NY Year: 1800 Roll: M32_21 Page: 375 Image: 378 Slaves: 0 View image View blank 1800 census form  (PDF 13K) SOURCE INFORMATION: 1800 United States Federal Census. M32, 52 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC

   The official enumeration day of the census was August 4th, 1800. Enumerators were asked to include the following categories in the census: name of head of household, number of free white males and females in age categories: 0 to 10, 10 to 16, 16 to 26, 26 to 45, 45 and older; number of other free persons except Indians not taxed; number of slaves (fortunately the Hause family never had any slaves, so we don't have to feel guilty about THAT); and town or district and county of residence. Most entries are arranged in the order of visitation, but some have been rearranged to appear in alphabetical order by initial letter of the surname.
   50-year-old William reappears here, still living in Warwick (he would move in 1802), with ten people in his household. Whether one of these was his son, John, or if John had already moved out, is unknown because children aren't named in the census.

1810 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1810 census was August 6th, 1810. Enumerators were asked to include the following categories in the census: name of head of household; number of free white males and females in age categories: 0 to 10, 10 to 16, 16 to 26, 26 to 45, 45 and older; number of other free persons except Indians not taxed; number of slaves; and town or district and county of residence. Manufacturing schedules are scattered among the 1810 population schedules.
   William has now moved to Steuben County, New York, along with his sons—a few of whom are also listed here (William Jr. and Simon are listed as heads of families directly underneath their father). But John has now moved to Fayette, Seneca Co, New York (just having left Ovid), and is registered on a different sheet:

Personal Information Census Image Name: Hawes, William Township: Wayne County: Steuben State: New York Roll: M252_37 Page: 391 Image: 55 M, 10-15: 1 M, 16-25: 3 M, 45+: 1 F, 10-15: 1 F, 45+: 1 View image View blank 1810 census form (PDF 13K) Personal Information Census Image Name: House, John Township: Fayette County: Seneca State: New York Roll: M252_36 Page: 203 Image: 128 M, 1-9: 3 M, 10-15: 1 M, 26-44 : 1 F, 1-9: 3 F, 26-44 : 1 View image View blank 1810 census form (PDF 13K) SOURCE INFORMATION: 1810 United States Federal Census. M252, 71 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC

1820 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1820 census was August 7th, 1820. The count was due within six months, but the due date was extended by law to allow completion within thirteen months. This is because by 1820, there was now a total of twenty-three states in the Union to be canvassed. The six new states were Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama and Maine.

Personal Information Census Image Name: John Hause Township: Fayette County: Seneca State: New York Year: 1820 Roll: M33_75 Page: 384 Image Number: 100 No. of persons engaged in agriculture: 4 View image View blank 1820 census form SOURCE: 1820 United States Federal Census. M33, 142 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

   Enumerators of the 1820 census were asked to include the following categories in the census: name of head of household, number of free white males and females in age categories: 0 to 10, 10 to 16, 16 to 26, 26 to 45, 45 and older; number of other free persons except Indians not taxed; number of slaves; and town or district and county of residence. Additionally, the 1820 census for the first time asked the number of free white males 16 to 18; number of persons to be naturalized; number engaged in agriculture, commercial, or manufacture; number of slaves and "free colored" persons (sometimes in age categories); and number of other persons—except Indians.
   By the time of this census, William Sr. was dead (he passed away in 1818), but John Hause—name finally spelled H-a-u-s-e—and his family (twelve strong) are now thriving in Fayette.

1830 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1830 census was June 1st, 1830. There were a total of twenty-four states in the Union, Missouri being the latest addition. The new territory of Florida also had its first census in 1830.
   Enumerators of the 1830 census were asked to include the following categories in the census: name of head of household; number of free white males and females in age categories: 0 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 30, 30 to 40, 40 to 50, 50 to 60, 60 to 70, 70 to 80, 80 to 90, 90 to 100, over 100; the name of a slave owner and the number of slaves owned by that person; the number of male and female slaves and free "colored" persons by age categories; the number of foreigners (not naturalized) in a household; the number of deaf, dumb, and blind persons within a household; and town or district, and county of residence.
   John's sons are now working the land on Hause's Point in Fayette. Some, like Charles and 25-year-old Augustus, are working their own part of the property, in their own homes, and starting families of their own (Augustus and Jane have one child so far, John, born in 1829):

Personal Info Census Image Name: Hause, John Township: Fayette County: Seneca State: New York Year: 1830 Roll: 109 Page: 59 View image View blank 1830 census form Personal Information Census Image Name:   Hause, Augustus Township:   Fayette County:   Seneca State:   New York Year:   1830 Roll:   109 Page:   59 View image View blank 1830 census form SOURCE INFORMATION: United States Federal Census. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC.

1840 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1840 census was 1 June 1840. There were a total of twenty-six states in the Union, with Arkansas and Michigan being the latest additions. The two new territories of Wisconsin and Iowa were also enumerated.
   Enumerators were asked to include the following categories in the census: name of head of household; number of free white males and females in age categories: 0 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 30, 30 to 40, 40 to 50, 50 to 60, 60 to 70, 70 to 80, 80 to 90, 90 to 100, over 100; the name of a slave owner and the number of slaves owned by that person; the number of male and female slaves and free "colored" persons by age categories; the number of foreigners (not naturalized) in a household; the number of deaf, dumb, and blind persons within a household; and town or district, and county of residence. Additionally, the 1840 census, asked for the first time, the ages of revolutionary war pensioners and the number of individuals engaged in mining, agriculture, commerce, manufacturing and trade, navigation of the ocean, navigation of canals, lakes and rivers, learned professions and engineers; number in school, number in family over age twenty-one who could not read and write, and the number of insane.
   Augustus, fortunately sane, has now moved to Royalton in Niagara County, while his father, John, still lives in Fayette, with sons Charles and Alanson working the land nearby:

Personal Information Census Image Name: J House Township: Fayette County: Seneca State: New York Roll: 339 Page: 345 Year: 1840 Pages: 2 View image (2) View blank 1840 census form Personal Information Census Image Name: Augustus "Hams" Township: Royalton County: Niagara State: New York Roll: 311 Page: 191 Year: 1840 View image View blank 1840 census form SOURCE: United States Federal Census. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC

Personal Information Census Image Name: Esther Hause Age: 69 Birthplace: New York Home in 1850: Fayette, Seneca,  New York Estimated Birth Year: 1781 Attended School within year No Page: 146 Roll: M432_597 Year: 1850 View image View blank 1850 census form SOURCE INFORMATION: 1850 United States Federal Census. M432, 1009 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC.

1850 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1850 census was June 1st, 1850. There were a total of thirty-one states in the Union, with Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and California being the latest additions. The four new territories of Oregon, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Utah were also enumerated.
   For the first time in the history of the United States census, enumerators were instructed to record the names of every person in the household, and were asked to include the following categories: name; age as of the census day; sex; color; birthplace; occupation of males over age fifteen; value of real estate; whether married within the previous year; whether deaf-mute, blind, insane, or "idiotic"; whether able to read or write for individuals over age twenty; and whether the person attended school within the previous year. No relationships were shown between members of a household. The categories allowed Congress to determine persons residing in the United States for collection of taxes and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives.
   In the Hause family, Augustus "Hawyes," one of the worst "Hause" spellings yet, is listed as a farmer, and the value of his land is priced at $4240. His wife, Jane, is recorded as 47 years old, but she would die within months. Their son, 19-year-old Laban, is listed on the next page. Laban is the next in our line:

Personal Information Census Image Name: Augustus Hawyes Age: 46 Birthplace: New York Home in 1850: Royalton,  Niagara,  New York Estimated Birth Year: 1804 Attended School within year No Page: 183 Roll: M432_560 Year: 1850 View image View blank 1850 census form Personal Information Census Image Name: Laben Haws Age: 19 Birthplace: New York Home in 1850: Royalton,  Niagara,  New York Estimated Birth Year: 1831 Attended School within year Yes Page: 184 Roll: M432_560 Year: 1850 View image View blank 1850 census form SOURCE INFORMATION: 1850 United States Federal Census. M432, 1009 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC.

1860 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1860 census was June 1st, 1860. There were a total of thirty-three states in the Union, with Minnesota and Oregon being the latest additions.
   Enumerators of the 1860 census were instructed to record the names of every person in the household, and were asked to include the following categories in the census: name; age as of the census day; sex; color; birthplace; occupation of persons over age fifteen; value of real estate; whether married within the previous year; whether deaf, dumb, blind, insane, a pauper, or a convict; whether able to read or speak English; and whether the person attended school within the previous year.
   Augustus remains in New York, listed as a 55-year-old farmer, now married to 35-year-old Fannie Christopher. Augustus Jr., his last child from Jane Jones, still lives at home. But his son Laban has moved to Michigan. He is listed as a farmer, with $1500 of real estate and $447 in personal estate. Sarah Dysinger had married him and died between censuses, and he is now married to Melissa Sanderson.

Personal Information Census Image Name: Augustus Hans Age: 56 Birthplace: New York Home in 1860: Royalton,  Niagara,  New York Estimated Birth Year: 1804 Post Office: Reynales Basin Roll: M653_822 Page: 559 Value of Real Estate: 6250 View image View blank 1860 census form Personal Information Census Image Name: Laben Howse Age: 29 Birthplace: New York Home in 1860: Riley, St Clair, Michigan Estimated Birth Year: 1831 Post Office: Memphis, MI Roll: M653_559 Page: 0 Value of Real Estate: 1500 View image View blank 1860 census form SOURCE INFORMATION: 1860 United States Federal Census. M653, 1438 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC

1870 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1870 census was June 1st, 1870. All questions asked were supposed to refer to that date. The 1870 census form called for the dwelling houses to be numbered in the order of visitation; families numbered in order of visitation; and the name of every person whose place of abode on the first day of June 1870 was with the family.
   Enumerators of the 1870 census were instructed to record the names of every person in the household. Added to this, enumerators were presented with printed instructions, which account for the greater degree of accuracy compared with earlier censuses. Enumerators were asked to include the following categories in the census: name; age at last birthday (if a child was under one year of age, months of age were to be stated as fractions, such as 1/12); sex; color; profession; occupation or trade of every male and female; value of real estate; place of birth; whether mother and father were of foreign birth; whether born or married within the year and the month; those who could not read; those who could not write; whether deaf, dumb, blind, or insane or "idiotic". No relationships were shown between members of a household. The categories allowed Congress to determine persons residing in the United States for collection of taxes and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives.
   66-year-old Augustus remains in New York with Fannie and their two-year-old daughter; Laban has moved to Emmet, St. Clair County, Michigan, and we now meet his son: 3-year-old Frank Hause, the next in our line, with siblings Elma, Alice, and Sarah:

Personal Information Census Image Name:   Augustus Haws Age in 1870:   66 Birth Year:   1803 Birthplace:   New York Home in 1870:   Royalton, Niagara, NY Value of real estate:   7300 Post Office:   Gasport Roll:   M593_ 1055 Page:   542 Image:   474 View image View blank 1870 census form  (PDF 136K) Personal Information Census Image Name:   Laban Hause Age in 1870:   39 Birth Year:   1831 Birthplace:   N Y Home in 1870:   Emmett, St Clair, MI Value of real estate:   2500 Post Office:   Emmett Roll:   M593_ 698 Page:   180 Image:   364 View image View blank 1870 census form  (PDF 136K) SOURCE INFORMATION: Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1870 Federal Population Census. M593, 1,761 rolls; part of Minnesota T132, 13 rolls. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration.

1880 CENSUS:

Personal Information Census Image Name:   Laban House Age:   49 Estimated birth year:   <1831> Birthplace:   New York Occupation:   Dealer General Merchandise Relation:   Self Home in 1880:   Millington, Tuscola, Michigan Father's birthplace:   New York Mother's birthplace:   New York View image View blank 1880 census form Year: 1880; Census Place: Millington, Tuscola, Michigan; Roll: T9_607; Family History Film: 1254607; Page: 229C; Enumeration District: 410; Image: 0478.

   The 1880 census was the first to identify an individual’s relation to the head of household. In addition, the 1880 census was the first to identify the state, county, and other subdivisions; the name of the street and house number for urban households; illness or disability at the time the census was taken; marital status; number of months unemployed during the year; and the state or country of birth of every individual’s father and mother.
   The census began on June 1st, 1880, for the general population of the United States. The enumeration was to be completed within thirty days, or two weeks for communities with populations of 10,000 or more. Regardless of when an individual was contacted, all responses were to reflect the status of the individual as of 1 June 1880, the official Census Day.
   The 1880 census is a valuable tool in part because it is the only US census available for the last two decades of the 1800s. Most of the original 1890 population schedules were destroyed in a fire at the Commerce Department in 1921. Less than one percent of the schedules—records enumerating only 6,160 individuals—survived.
   Augustus Hause had passed away in 1775, but Laban, now middle-aged, was still going strong. He's no longer listing "farmer" as occupation, as he was at that point running a store in Millington Village, Tuscola County, Michigan. They also have a boarder at the house listed as a clerk, as well as children Frank and Edith.

1900 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1900 census was June 1, 1900. There were a total of forty-five states in the Union, with Utah being the latest addition and Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Oklahoma enumerated as territories.
   Enumerators of the 1900 census were instructed to record the names of every person in the household, and list the following categories: name; address; relationship to the head of household; color or race; sex; month and year of birth; age at last birthday; marital status; number of years married; the total number of children born of the mother; the number of those children living; places of birth of each individual and the parents of each individual; if the individual was foreign born, the year of immigration and the number of years in the United States; the citizenship status of foreign-born individuals over age twenty-one; occupation; whether the person could read, write, and speak English; whether the home was owned or rented; whether the home was on a farm; and whether the home was mortgaged.
   Laban lives with Melissa and Edith, and declares his job as "landlord." We also meet the next generation of Hauses: Raymond, Carlisle and Basil, sons of Frank and Fladella. Frank is listed as a merchant in dry goods.

Personal Information Census Image Name: Laban Hause Home in 1900: Riley Tp, St Clair, Michigan Age: 69 Estimated birth year: 1831 Birthplace: New York Occupation: Landlord View image View blank 1900 census  (PDF 13K) Personal Information Census Image Name: Frank Hause Home in 1900: Richmond, Macomb, Michigan Age: 33 Estimated birth year: 1867 Birthplace: Michigan Occupation: Drygoods View image View blank 1900 census form SOURCE INFORMATION: 1900 United States Federal Census. T623, 1854 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC

1910 CENSUS:
   The official enumeration day of the 1910 census was 15 April 1910. By that time, there were a total of forty-six states in the Union, with Utah and Oklahoma being the latest editions and Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska as territories.
   Enumerators of the 1910 census were instructed to record the names of every person in the household, with the following categories in the census: name; relationship to head of family; age at last birthday; sex; color or race; whether single, married, widowed, or divorced; number of years of present marriage; number of children born; number of children now living; birthplace; mother tongue; birthplace of father and mother; mother tongue of father and mother; year of immigration to the US; whether naturalized or alien; whether able to speak English, or if not, give language spoken; trade or profession; industry; whether employer, employee, or working on own account; if an employee, whether out of work on April 15, 1910; if an employee, number of weeks out of work during year 1909, whether able to read; whether able to write; attended school any time since September 1, 1909; home owned or rented; home owned free or mortgaged; farm or house; number of farm schedule; whether a survivor of the Union or Confederate Army or Navy; whether blind; whether deaf and dumb.
   By this time, Laban Hause had been dead for half a dozen years. Melissa was now the matriarch of the family. She made sure her grandchildren were properly educated. In this decade she would open a boarding house with her daughter-in-law, Fladella, in Ypsilanti, to finance the college careers of grandsons Raymond, Carlisle and Basil. Her determination would change the family forever—they went from being a family of farmers, to become a family of teachers. Melissa's grandsons, great-grandson and great-great-grandchildren would become educators. Frank was listed as a general auctioneer, while all four sons live at home (although Raymond was working as a commercial soap salesman).

Personal Information Census Image Name:   Melissa L Hause Age in 1910:   70 Estimated birth year:   1840 Birthplace:   Ohio Home in 1910:   RILEY TWP, ST CLAIR, Michigan Series:   T624 Roll:   673 View image View blank 1910 census form Part:   2 Page:   224A Personal Information Census Image Name: Frank A Hause Age in 1910: 43 Estimated birth year: 1867 Birthplace: Michigan Home in 1910: RICHMOND TWP PCT, MACOMB, Michigan Series: T624 Roll: 659 View image View blank 1910 census form Part: 1 Page: 166B SOURCE INFORMATION: Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1910 Federal Population Census. T624, 1,784 rolls. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration.

1920 CENSUS:
   The 1920 Census was begun on 1 January 1920. The following questions were asked by enumerators: Name of street, avenue road, etc.; house number or farm; number of dwelling in order of visitation; number of family in order of visitation; name of each person whose place of abode was with the family; relationship of person enumerated to the head of the family; whether home owned or rented; if owned, whether free or mortgaged; sex; color or race; age at last birthday; whether single, married, widowed, or divorced; year of immigration to United States; whether naturalized or alien; if naturalized, year of naturalization; whether attended school any time since 1 September 1919; whether able to read; whether able to write; person's place of birth; mother tongue; father's place of birth; father's mother tongue; mother's place of birth; mother's mother tongue; whether able to speak English; trade, profession, or particular kind of work done; industry, business, or establishment in which at work; whether employer, salary or wage worker, or working on own account; number of farm schedule. In 1920 the census included, for the first time, Guam, American Samoa, and the Panama Canal Zone.
   The original 1920 census schedules were destroyed by authorization of the Eighty-third Congress, so it is not possible to consult originals when microfilm copies prove unreadable. But fortunately, we can still read here that Melissa was back in Riley Center, while Frank and Della were still living in Ypsilanti. Frank is now listed as "stewart" (with his description of that stewart job as "stewartship"—Frank was not one to over-explain), and Maurice is the only son living with Frank and Della. Two of their sons, Carlisle and Basil, were becoming teachers, and Carlisle's son, 2 1/2-year-old Carleton, would one day become one as well. (As would Carleton's son, and his children, too.) Melissa would be proud.

Personal Information Census Image Name:   Malissa Hause Age:   80 Birth year:   1840 Birth place:   Ohio Race:   White Home in 1920:   Riley Township, St. Clair Co., MI Home :   Owned Marital status:   Widowed View image View blank 1920 census form  (PDF 136K) Roll:   T625_795 Page:   2B ED:   130 Image:   0428 Personal Information Census Image Name:   Frank A. Hause Age:   52 Birth year:   1867 Birth place:   Michigan Race:   White Home in 1920:   Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw Co., MI Home :   Owned Marital status:   Married View image View blank 1920 census form Roll:   T625_795 Page:   8A ED:   168 Image:   0435 Personal Information Census Image Name:   Carlisle Hause Age:   28 Birth year:   1892 Birth place:   Michigan Race:   White Home in 1920:   Mt. Clemens, Macomb Co., MI Home :   Owned Marital status:   Married View image View blank 1920 census form Roll:   T625_782 Page:   7A ED:   77 Image:   0801 Personal Information Census Image Name:   Carleton Hause Age:   2  1/2 Birth year:   1917 Birth place:   Michigan Race:   White Home in 1920:   Mt. Clemens, Macomb Co., MI Home :   -- Marital status:   -- View image View blank 1920 census form Roll:   T625_782 Page:   7A ED:   77 Image:   0801 SOURCE INFORMATION: Federal Population Census. T625, 2,076 rolls. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration.

1930 CENSUS:

Frank and Fladella Hause

   The 1930 United States Federal Census is the largest census released to date and is the most recent census available for public access. (Census records are not released publicly until exactly 72 years from the official census date. The 1940 census records will be available in 2012.).
   This census gives us a glimpse into the lives of Americans in 1930, and contains records for approximately 123 million Americans—but no so many Hauses.
   By 1930, Melissa had passed away and Della and Frank were back in Riley Township, at the old family house in Memphis Village. Their son Maurice had died from pneumonia a few years before, and all of their other sons—Raymond, Carlisle and Basil—had married and moved away. Frank is now listed as a farmer, although he doesn't live on the family farm—Melissa had sold it to the Dysinger family before her death (maybe at age 63, Frank just hated to say "retired"), although it looks like they were renting to borders, so he's taken over the "landlord" job. Eventually the family house would be split into two homes and sold.
   The census report on Carlisle and Carleton could not be found (maybe they were at Vaughn Lake and unavailable).

1930 United States Federal Census. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1930 Federal Population Census. T626, 2,667 rolls. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration.