Enumeration District Descriptions, 1850–1950
Consists of written descriptions of Census Districts, Subdivisions, and Enumeration Districts. For the 1850, 1860, and 1870 Censuses there are textual descriptions of the Census District (usually a state or part of a state) and the Subdivision (usually a county or part of a county). Beginning with the 1880 Census, the descriptions relate to Enumeration Districts, which were areas that could be covered by a single enumerator (census taker) in a census period that lasted several weeks. The districts are described in terms of counties, parts of counties, townships, wards, precincts, blocks, and streets. The census boundaries are usually defined by political boundaries. Also included for some censuses are the names and addresses of enumerators and special instructions to them.