Census Records are one of the most valuable tools a family genealogist can use to uncover his or her family roots. Census records are often the only time information can be found on a whole family group since the entire family is enumerated together. As required by the United States Constitution a Federal census has been taken every ten years since 1790. Federal law requires that information contained in each census be kept private for a mandatory period of 72 years. On April 1, 2002 the population schedule of the 1930 Census will be released to the public for the first time. Like previous Census the 1930 Census should offer insights into our Murgittroyd Family. Among the questions asked on this census is, "what is your monthly mortgage payment or rent" and "do you own a radio"?
On the attached pages I will list all of the Murgittroyd Family Census records I've uncovered during my research. You will find that each progressive census will include additional information as the government went about the task of collection more data about our country's population. The 1850 Census is considered to be the first modern census since it is the first one to list all of the inhabitants by name of a home. Previous census listed only the head of the household by name.
Starting in 1855 various States began conducting Census of their citizens in the middle of each decade. Those census are also included here.
You will notice that there are still many Murgittroyd Families missing from my records. Among the reasons for their absence is the fact that census before 1880 were not indexed by the Government. Private companies published Census Indexes in paper format but those indexes have been shown to have missed as many as 20% of the census listing in various area. Add to this problem the fact that our name has proven to be a difficult one for many people to spell and you can understand the problem finding our family in census records.
Viewing the following Census records you will be able to watch the families of our ancestors grow and contact over time.