Geographical method for using the Census Schedules

1. Must know the location of the house. It is also useful to know the main streets surrounding the address.
   
   (Note: We have Baltimore City Directories for various years which may be helpful in providing an address if all you have is a name.)
   
   

   Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Maryland  (All US JHU)

   
   or current maps may be helpful in figuring out the surrounding streets.
   
   
2. Figure out the Enumeration district for the address.
   
   (Note: An enumeration district or E.D. is an area defined by the Bureau of Census. It is the area assigned to one enumerator. In the city this will consist of several blocks. E.D. descriptions are the streets that bound the area assigned to the enumerator.)
   
   Generally, to figure out enumeration districts, use a map from the census year. The maps should show wards and districts.
   
   The library has census enumeration district maps for 1900 and 1920.
   
   For other years, try the microfilm Census Descriptions of Geographic Subdivision and Enumeration Distrcts (T1224). We have the descriptions for 1830-1900.
   
   For 1930 use the Census Microfilm Locator site at NARA to indicate the state and search for a street name.
   
   Tips for finding 1930 ED's:
   1. At the NARA site, begin your search by selecting the state.
      • When entering a street name, use just the name of the street. Only streets whose names appear in the enumeration boundary descriptions are searchable.
      • Look at the descriptions of the boundaries that are retrieved. Select the description that best fit your address. For best results, use a map (a current map will do) to help you determine if your address falls within the boundary descriptions.
      • If the above step is successful, the results will indicate which microfilm roll of the schedule to use and the E.D# you need. . Both pieces of information will be needed for the next step.
      • If none of the boundary descriptions fit your address, you can simply choose to begin with the E.D. # that appears to be the closest match for your address or search for the ward # and thereby retrieve all the descriptions for the ED's in that ward. This method is trial and error. As you look  for your address on the microfilm, you will need to scroll all the E.D#'s that are in the proximity.
        
   2. Pull the microfilm that you identified in step 1 and locate the E.D.#.
      • The microfilm box list the E.D. #'s. Make certain you have the correct range. The E.D.'s are listed in the order as it appears on the box.
      • On the microfilm, E.D.'s seem to be separated from each other by a blank page. Be certain to start at the beginning of your E.D. section and scroll slowly through the section looking for your street and address.
        (Note: Enumerators canvassed the area a block at a time - making right turns until the area was covered. This is reflected in the schedules.)