Master History Pages

After opening HeritageQuest (see link above), and logging in with your SHSU username and password, if you are not on campus, click the "Search Census" heading at the top of the menu.

If you already have a person or family in mind: Enter at least a last name (surname). Optionally, you can also enter a first name, choose a census year, or choose a certain state.

If you do not have a specific person or family in mind: Click the "Advanced Search" tab (just above the Surname search box). Leave the name boxes blank. Choose at least a state, if not also a county. Specify age and/or sex if desired. In the Race box, choose "Black." Click Search. Depending on how many people were found by your search, you may be required to narrow it down further, such as by selecting a year and/or county from a list.

You will eventually be given a list of people. Click on a name to view the census page on which that person appears. NOTE: The census "page" is really two pages wide. To see ALL the information for a person, be sure to use the tabs provided to view both Subpage A and Subpage B.

Use the buttons provided to Print or Download the images of the census pages. You can also check the box labeled "Add to Notebook" to mark multiple census records that show a person or family (for instance, the family's page in several census years), then go to "Notebook" at the top of the page and print or download at once all the pages that you marked.

Remember, learning to read the handwriting on the census pages takes practice and may be challenging. If you have difficulty deciphering something, feel free to contact the History librarian, Erin Cassidy, for assistance.

These guides will help you find MORE census information in the SHSU Library.

The Texas Census of Inhabitants will look somewhat like the U.S. Census pages that are available in HeritageQuest; it includes individual names.

The U.S. Census Publications guide will help you find specialized types of censuses which may not include individual names, but can provide amazing details and insights about people in a certain place and time.