• FREE CENSUS ONLINE via Heritage Quest through participating Public Libraries - quote from the Encyclopedia of Genealogy started by Dick Eastman: "Heritage Quest is one of the most valuable services available today for anyone researching ancestry in the United States. The company is best known for its collection of the U.S. Federal Census records from 1790 through 1930."  
• FREE 1880 USA Census, free 1881 UK Census, free 1881 Canadian Census - SEARCH FREE indexes from LDS Family Search, choose 1880 United States, 1881 British Isles, or the 1881 Canadian Census.
• National Archives (NARA) Comprehensive guide to the 1930 census - The census is available for viewing on microfilm at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and at their 13 regional archives.
• NARA 1930 Census Microfilm Locator - Table of Contents for 1930 Census Information.
• Calculating Birth Year Based on Census Information - Click on the census year. Match the person's reported age* with the birth year.
• CENSUS and SOUNDEX HELP - great site to find the ED for 1900 to 1930 Census lookups and more.
• 1790-1920 United States Census - homepage of a free database of the USGenWeb Census Project.
• The USGenWeb Census Project On-Line Inventory of Transcribed Census Links. - USGenWeb Census "On-Line Inventory" lists all the states down the left and when you click on a state, the right side will open to show the links to all the transcribed census files for that state. The search is great for finding the specific state, county and year. Some have a "view" of the actual record.
• Census Records on Microfilm at LDS Family History Centers also have microfiche of census documents up to 1920 and they will probably add 1930.  Large centers have many of the census films you need on permanent loan, which you can access for free.  Check your local center for what they have on the shelf.
• Census Online - Links to Online Census Records.
• Census Search at Rootsweb - Database contains 295719 records (30460 distinct surnames) Selected years, states and counties (as contributed)
• Online Census Finder - you will need to scroll past the commercials. Learn to sort through the free and avoid the for pay. Use the pull down arrow to locate the state you are interested in.
• World Wide Census Links - Click on United States then click on your State of Interest.  Check back once a month for new additions.
• Key Online Library Catalogs for Genealogists - Census records can be had at a number of good libraries across the country look here to find one near you.
• Online Census Images - from Rootsweb and in need of volunteers in case your State or City is missing.
• USGenWeb Census Project Completed Transcriptions - a volunteer project, which needs your help, see if your state is listed and what they they have finished and what needs to be done.
• Enumeration District Lookup for the United States 1930 Census - In order to find a person in the census you will need to know the enumeration district (ED) in which the person lived. The means for determining the ED are different for different regions of the country.
• Census Map Index - Click on the State to see what census indexes, both State & Federal, exist as some census records have been destroyed or are missing.
• Census Records Abbreviations - Here are some of the most common ones you will find when reviewing a census record.
• US Census Bureau Home Page - offers an age search for genealogy or other such purposes. Tells what the Bureau does and does not offer.
• SOUNDEX Code Generator - and Immigration List Index by Cimorelli.
• SOUNDEX Code Generator in Java Script - fast. Soundex is needed in some Census Searches.  Do your Soundex lookups before you go into LDS or NARA.
• Cyndi's List of Printable Census Forms - use these to record the the information you located. They can be a great help in reading column headings on the microfilmed census records and help you understand what to expect on each census
• USA Census extraction forms - use to see the format and column headings for various census years.
• US Census Forms - from free-genealogy-forms.com

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Obtaining USA Government Records

• Click-able Map to Vital Record Requests by State - Birth Records, Death Records by State from the Pennsylvania Department of Health keep clicking to the exact State Run website for each State.
• Where to Write for USA Vital Records - Click on the USA State where birth, death, marriage, divorce occurred for full information on where to write for  vital records and how to obtain the record.
• Freedom of Information Act Request - You can get a copy of your ancestors FBI, CIA or other Government File by using a FOIA letter of request. This one was developed by Mike Ravnitzky who has personally filed more than 5,000 requests for copies of restricted Government Archives.
• Genealogy Page at NARA - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration research room section.
• How to Make a Request to INS - information Download INS Form G-639 for FREE from the Immigration and Naturalization Service Immigration Forms Page.
• NARA - see what records are available at the US National Archives and Records Administration.
• NARA Locations by State - US National Archives locations and contact email information
• NARA's holdings of electronic records - use the Internet to check more than 50 million historical records at the US National Archives, (NARA) from Civil War battles to other Military Records. Supposedly they will eventually have access to immigration files but so far its slim pickings. The database draws from the records of 20 federal agencies.
• NARA Military Service & Pension Records - The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard.
  • To get your own military records or those of your parent, grandparent or other ancestor, write a letter to: 
    National Personnel Records Center, 
    Military Personnel Records
    9700 Page Avenue, 
    St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
    314-801-0800 
• Military Indexes & Records - An Online Genealogy Guide by Joe Beine
• Military Records Requests FAQs - good list of information on requesting Military Records. NOTE - many USA States have Historical Archives so do a search for: "Military Records + State" on google, msn, yahoo and your favorite.
• Military Records - a list of records and research tips that may help you.
• Military Rosters - Rootsweb free Military Database. Selected countries, states and/or counties (as contributed)
• Naturalization Records from the US Immigration and Naturalization Service - INS naturalization records duplicate those found in naturalization courts throughout the country.
• New York State Archives - many records and helpful information. Small fee for information in most areas.
• Newspaper Abstracts - Search United States Newspapers (Volunteer Transcriptions - U.S., Canada and Ireland)
• Railroad Retirement Board - Official Site of the United States of America Railroad Retirement Board.
• Social Security Administration Online - Guide to Freedom of Information Act Requests.
• Social Security Application REQUEST Form Letter - you can print-out this form letter for your use or use it as an example and write one yourself.
• U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX - Great, Free lookup from the LDS Family History Center.
• Social Security Death Records Index - Interactive Search by RootsWeb. IMPORTANT NOTE: "generally speaking" you will *not* find anyone listed who died before 1962 listed on the Internet. If you can't find your ancestor in the US Social Security Death Index Online, do what I did; obtain the Official State Death Notices on each ancestor. Their death notice will have their SSN on it. I also included a copy of each individual's Death Notice on the copies of the SSN app I requested. All of my grandparents had names that many other people share (ie: Maria Nigro) so it made it a lot easier to just get the number off the State Death Record.
• Social Security Death Index Search - new FREE lookup by GenCircles / Family Tree Legends.
• U.S. Genealogy Sites State by State - U.S. Genealogy Sites State by State list of United States Genealogy sites. Plenty of free info and helpful genealogical web sites from Genealogy Today.
• U.S. Public Record Research Library - provides a core group of links to FREE government searchable sites along with some important non-government sites
• U.S. Vital Records Information - Commercial site lists where to obtain vital records for each state, territory and county of the United States with good subcategories for cities, etc.
• U.S. Vital Records Room at D'Addezio.com - United States Vital Records listing every county by state. Please Note: On all the "Vital Records" links here and above, except for the actual payment for records from Government Offices remember to go for the FREE stuff first. Try doing your own research for at least 5 years, then "if you hit a brick wall", you may need to pay to belong to a group or buy CDs etc., but forgetaboutit until you have exhausted free or do-it-yourself resources.
• United States Genealogy Links - Databases for all of the States, includes ships passenger lists, census records, cemetery transcriptions, military records and more.
• American Fact Finder Advanced Geography Search - US Census Data lookup by street and town or zip code.
• United States and Territories - U.S. Geological Survey (U S Gazetteer database)
• United States Postal Service - Zip Codes and more.
• USA City & Country Locator - Locate a county for any U.S. City by Geographic Nameserver (current as of 1987 and gives several other important links.
• USA Gazeteer Maps of the USA - and more from the U.S. Census Bureau.  Look up your town, city, lake, mountain and more.
• USA Town Search - U.S. Town and County Locator from Rootsweb
• USA States & Capitals - State information resource links to state homepage, symbols, flags, maps, constitutions, representatives, songs, birds, flowers, trees, etc.
• USGenWeb Project State WebSites - Online Census Images, State Pages with a wealth of County related info, and lots of other help for Genealogy Researchers.
• World Statesmen - encyclopedia of nations, colonies, international and religious organizations, and other polities. Country facts, maps, anthems, flags, links, and multiple indexes.