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Census Records

Census records for St. Mary's County (and some for Charles County) are available in our Research Library.  St Mary's County census records are available in book form for these years: 1790 thru 1820, 1840 thru 1880, 1900 Thru 1930; 1940 Index is available on CD.  Charles County census records are available in book form for these years: 1790 thru 1880.  They are also available for sale in our bookstore.  These records have been transcribed by volunteers and may be easier to work from than images of the original records.  However, original images are available on-line at FamilySearch (free) and Ancestry (paid subscription required)


Census Enumeration District Maps  SMCHS publication identifying election district areas by census year.

Federal census records exist for St. Mary's county for the years listed below. 

  • 1790: All districts combined. By household, only head of household named. # white males, white females, other free, slaves.

  • 1800: All districts combined. By household, only head of household named. # white males, white females, other free, slaves.

  • 1810: All districts combined. By household, only head of household named. # white males, white females, other free, slaves.

  • 1820: Arranged by 4 election districts.  By household, only head of household named. # free white males, free white females, slaves, free colored persons

  • 1830: schedules for St. Mary’s County do not exist

  • 1840: Arranged by 5 election districts. By household, only head of household named. 3 white males, white females, free colored males, free colored females, male slaves, female slaves

  • 1850: Arranged by 6 election districts.  All members of household listed.  Age, sex, and color (white, black, mulatto), profession, place of birth, married, attended school

  • 1860: Arranged by 6 election districts plus Leonardtown.  All members of household listed.  Age, sex, and color (white, black, mulatto), profession, place of birth, married, attended school

  • 1870: Arranged by 6 election districts.  All members of household listed.  Age, sex, and color (white, black, mulatto, Chinese, Italian), profession, place of birth, married, attended school


  • 1880: Arranged by multiple enumeration districts.  All members of household listed including relation to head.  Age, sex, and color (white, black, mulatto, Chinese, Italian), profession, married, health status, place of birth, place of birth of parents

  • 1890: Burned in fire at Department of Commerce building in Washington, D.C January 10, 1921 (Article)

  • 1900: Arranged by 9 enumeration districts.  All members of household listed including relation to head.  Color, sex, date of birth (month/year), age, marital status, years married, how many children, place of birth, parent’s place of birth, citizenship, occupation

  • 1910: Arranged by enumeration districts (some overlap election districts).  All members of household listed including relation to head.  Color, sex, date of birth (month/year), age, marital status, years married, how many children, place of birth, parent’s place of birth, citizenship, language spoken, occupation, education, home ownership

  • 1920: Arranged by enumeration districts within election districts.  All members of household listed including relation to head.  Color, sex, date of birth (month/year), age, marital status, years married, how many children, place of birth, parent’s place of birth, citizenship, language spoken, occupation, education, home ownership

  • 1930: Arranged by enumeration districts within election districts.  All members of household listed including relation to head.  Home ownership, color, sex, age, marital status, age at first marriage, education, place of birth, parent’s place of birth, mother tongue, citizenship, occupation, veterans