Steps to Finding People in the 1930 Census: Delaware

Preliminary | Enumeration Districts | Maps | For More Information

Preliminary

The Library subscribes to the Ancestry Library Edition database [restricted to UD], which has digital images of census schedules. The following instructions are for using the microfilm copy of the schedules Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 550)
Familiarize yourself with the census questions to know what to expect. See Census of Population & Housing Questionnaires.
A blank copy of the census form, called a data extraction form, will help in deciphering and recording the information. See Printable Census Forms (on Cyndi's List).
There is no publicly-available index (or Soundex) for Delaware schedules.
Original Census schedules are arranged by county, then ED number, then by street address based on the enumerator's journey.

Enumeration Districts

An "enumeration district" (ED) is the area assigned to one enumerator to cover within the census taking period. Enumeration districts are clustered in Representative Districts. Census Representative districts are roughly equivalent to the geographic areas called "hundreds" in Delaware.

Find the street address or general area where they lived and determine the ED (Enumeration District) number for the address or area:

Conversion of Towns to EDs
Conversion of Hundreds to EDs
NARA State Search (T1224)
Choose your state from the box on the left menu. Seachable by county, city, and place. Searches can be refined by adding street names. Provides brief descriptions of the EDs and the microfilm roll numbers. Caution, there are misspellings. Created from the information in NARA microfilm T1224. For more information, see Search Strategies: Geographic Method.
Obtaining EDs for the 1930 Census in One Step (T1224)
An interactive means of finding ED numbers using cross streets. Includes Wilmington, Delaware. Created by Stephen P. Morse, Joel D. Weintraub, and David R. Kehs. Created from the information in NARA microfilm publication T1224.
Enumeration Districts--Detailed Descriptions: New Castle County, Delaware (T1224)
Detailed descriptions of streets and other boundaries of the EDs.
Map of Delaware showing Representative districts / Hundreds
Delaware Towns and Places
Identifies the counties and hundreds for towns and places.
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) (U.S. Geological Survey)
Easy way to identify geographic "features." Includes state and county in which the feature is located. Links to sites offering map viewers for graphical display of the feature; includes population estimate in 1994.
City directories or detailed maps
Death and birth certificates, tax records, or other sources

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Maps

Microfilm copies of maps of the 1930 Enumeration Districts for Delaware (Location: Morris Library - Microfoms Microfilm S550.7)

Map of Delaware showing Census Representative Districts
Map of Wilmington Delaware Metropolitan Area
Shows boundaries of Representative Districts.
Delaware Map of Hundreds (1875 to present)
From Delaware Place Names, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin, no.1245.

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For More Information

1930 Federal Population Census (National Archives)
The Hundreds of Delaware
Obtaining EDs for the 1930 Census in One Step
An interactive means of finding ED numbers using cross streets. Created by Stephen P. Morse, Joel D. Weintraub, and David R. Kehs. Created from the information in NARA microfilm publication T1224. Wilmington, Delaware is included.

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This page is maintained by Rebecca Knight, Reference Department.
Questions or comments?
Last modified: 03/08/06

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