(+) How to Obtain Information from the 1950 and Later Census Records

Anyone who has been researching U.S. ancestors for very long is probably familiar with the U.S. census records. The census records of 1940 and earlier are publicly available; anyone may view them. However, the census records of 1950 and later are sealed and not available to descendants until 72 years after the date of the census. Or are they?

In fact, genealogists can obtain limited information (for a fee) from the 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and even the 2010 U.S. census records. To be sure, the information available is limited, and the fees are high. However, this service is valuable to some people.

The U.S. Census Bureau has an "age search" service that will provide information from the 1950 and later census records. While the service is called an "age search," the information provided includes a lot more than just the age of the person. The transcripts may contain information on a person’s age, sex, race, State or country of birth, and relationship to the householder. Citizenship will be provided if the person was foreign born. Single items of data, such as occupation (useful information for Black Lung cases), can be provided upon request.