Making Sense of the Census (Revised)
sites and others have transcribed large portions of the census for use by genealogists United States GenWeb Census Site. Several of the commercial sites provide census images that allow you to see the names and information as recorded. The microfilm images may be difficult to read.
This University if Virginia Site allows searching by the many variables used to collect data. U of Va. Census Tool
State Census
The Federal Government is not the only body that authorizes or required a census. Sometimes states will conduct a census for various reasons. Do you have ancestors that lived in New York in 1865? The state authorized a census be conducted that year. One of the items collected was a listing of individuals that had been casualties of the recently ended Civil War. This may help you find out what happened to that missing great great grandfather that apparently dropped off the face of the earth! New York State took a census every ten years from 1825 to 1875. They also took a census in 1892; then every ten years from 1905 to 1925.
The Kansas State Board of Agriculture conducted a census of that state on the '5' years from 1865 to 1925. Kansas State Census
The Genealogy Mall has a map that gives some information on what state level census records exist. Genealogy Mall
I hope this serves as a starting point for helping to locate your ancestors!
Edited on June 28th to provide Census Forms Update
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