Free Black Heads of Households in the New York State Federal Census, 1790-1830 by Alice Eichholz and James M. Rose

The New York State Federal Census records for 1790-1830 reflect the interesting history of slavery in New York State. During that period of time, the legislature passed a number of bills for the gradual emancipation of slaves. Consequently, by the 1830 census all blacks in New York State were counted as free. Unfortunately, a high percentage of blacks, especially in urban areas, still resided with white families. This index, there fore, does not include those blacks since their names do not appear. Originally, the index was to cover the 1840 and 1850 censuses as well. but the enormity of the task and lack of funds necessitated the elimination of that material.

This book is an alphabetical index of free black heads of households. Where last names were not available in the original records, the first names are alphabetized with the surnames. The year of the census, an abbreviation for the New York county, the county's township, and the page number of the census follows each name. For the 1790 census, the page number refers to the popularly available Heads of Families at the first census of the United States taken in the year 1790: New York compiled by Bureau of Census of the Department of Commerce and Labor and published by the Government Printing Office in 1908. Most research libraries have this volume which contains all the information found in the original records.

The process of checking and rechecking names, and pages used to compile this index should have eliminated most errors. However, in reading nineteenth century handwriting, some errors are still possible. Changes in name spelling, depending on the skills of censes takers, obviously adds to this problem. Vowels are persistently difficult to decipher, and consonants can also be misread. Consequently, variations in spelling should be checked according to sound and similarity in strokes of the pen.

This index should be used in conjunction with the wealth of information on blacks in New York State (see Black Genesis) Then a more thorough historical picture of blacks, as they moved from slavery to freedom, can be developed.