Scope and Content: From 1790 to 1837, population censuses in Massachusetts were limited to those taken decennially by the federal government under constitutional provision.  Starting in 1837 the General Court authorized state decennial censuses to supplement the federal ones, for determining representation in the legislature and other purposes.  These state censuses have been conducted by authority of constitutional and statutory provisions under the auspices of the secretary of the Commonwealth.  St 1855, c 439 directed that a census of inhabitants of each city and town be taken.  The secretary provided city and town officials with printed forms to insure uniform results.  The enumeration itself was made under the officials’ authority.  Completed forms were returned to the secretary’s office and bound into the volumes comprising this register.
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by county, thereunder alphabetically by municipality
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