Before the development of the current census geography (tracts and blocks), the Census Bureau used city voting wards as census divisions. Therefore, in order to use the schedules (name lists) for the censuses between 1790 and 1900 most effectively, it is necessary to know the ward boundaries of major cities.

The Library of Congress compiled a Ward Maps of United States : A Selective Checklist of Pre-1900 Maps in the Library of Congress. (MAPS +Z 6028 .U575 W2) The Map Collection has microfiche copies of the 232 maps described in this list (OLIN MICROFICHE 1546). There are also photographic copies of each map available for New York State -- Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, New York City and Rochester. These are located in the catalog under the subject heading: City name--Administrative and political divisions--Maps.

For maps of cities and towns not listed in this bibliography, consult Cartographic Records of the Census Bureau (MAPS CD 3026 A32 no. 103). This lists enumeration district maps available for the 1880-1940 Censuses . If no maps are shown as being available, it means that even the National Archives cannot help. If listed, the Archives can be contacted to purchase a photocopy of the map (http://www.nara.gov).

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Volume 1 of the 1940 Census of Population includes maps of Metropolitan Districts and Census Tracts for each state. Metropolitan districts were set up for the 1940 Census in each city of having 50,000 or more population in 1930, and for each Borough in New York City.

Volume 2 includes maps of urbanized areas by state. The exact external boundaries of the Urban areas are described, segment by segment.

Minor civil divisions are reported by wards.

A series of volumes of Analytical Maps show housing characteristcs for each city, by blocks.

Volume 5 of the 1950 Census of Housing provides block level statistics for the 209 cities which had a population of 50,000 or more. Tract and block level maps for each of these cities are in the volume.

Minor civil divisions are reported by county, town, village and wards.

The maps which were issued by the Bureau of the Census with volume 3 of the 1960 Census of Housing were given to the Map Room when the 1960 census was retired to the stacks. They are found in the catalog under the subject heading: City name--Administrative and political divisions--Maps.

County maps were not made generally available for the 1960 census.

State maps for the 1960 census may be found in the catalog under the subject heading: State name--Administrative and political divisions--Maps.

The maps which were issued by the Bureau of the Census with volume 3 (block statistics) of the 1970 Census of Housing were given to the Map Room when the 1970 census was retired to the stacks. These maps show blocks and enumeration districts, and are meant to accompany the block statistics sent to the stacks. They are found in the catalog under the subject heading: City name--Administrative and political divisions--Maps.

For the first time, areas outside SMSA's could contract with the Census Bureau to be tracted and counted separately. This means, for example, that Ithaca could be counted by itself as well as being considered as part of Tompkins County.

For the first time, counties were assigned enumeration districts. These county maps were purchased for New York State only. They are found in the catalog under the heading : County name--Administrative and political divisions--Maps.

State maps for the 1970 census showing all political and census subdivisions may be found in the catalog under the subject heading: State name--Administrative and political divisions--Maps. All states were received in paper copy.

CensusCD 1970 (Olin Ref DISK HA201 1970 .C46 2001) has long form data and mapping at the tract level. CensusCD Neighborhood Change Database (NCDB) (Olin Ref HA181 .C46 2001) selected variables for US Census tracts for 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and software to select, report, and map this data too.

Block maps were issued to libraries on fiche. (HA 201 1980 A8). There are also maps, on fiche, for all non-blocked enumeration areas in the United States. Paper copy maps for some SMSA cities were issued to libraries. Olin Library purchased paper blocked maps for New York State. These are shelved at MAPS HA 201 1980 A8. "Selected areas" are arranged alphabetically by state, and cities are arranged alphabetically by SMSA name.

The Census Tracts series consists of an individual report for each SMSA and for each state in which tracts had been delineated outside SMSAs. The reports, filed at Olin +HA 201 1980 A8, also contain information on the comparability of 1970 and 1980 geography. Maps which show the boundaries and identification numbers of census tracts are bound with the reports. . The 1980 U.S. Census Tract Map Book (Encinitas, CA : National Decision Systems, [1984?]) provides maps for all SMSA and non-SMSA 1980 tracts. See MAPS G1201 E25 N27++.

Only the maps for Tompkins County were purchased in hard copy.

Paper copies of all state maps showing administrative and census divisions to be used in the 1980 census were received. They may be found in the catalog under the subject heading: State name--Administrative and political divisions--Maps.

CensusCD 1980 (Olin Ref DISK HA201 1980 .C46) offers the results of the 1980 US census, down to tract level. It includes a full set of 1980 maps, along with mapping software. CensusCD Neighborhood Change Database (NCDB) (Olin Ref HA181 .C46 2001) selected variables for US Census tracts for 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and software to select, report, and map this data too.