The following URL has got to be one of the best research tools you will ever
find.
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~haas/learningcenter.html
Not only does it include detailed descriptions of what is on each census,
it included the enumeration dates.
Some of you may think the date the census was counted was the date the
census taker made it to the house, in other words, the date at the top of
the page. NOT SO.
Each census had a enumeration date. On the early census, 1790, very one in
the house hold on that date, was counted.
That means, if old uncle Sam and his crew was visiting, they were included
in the head count, or if the neighbors child spent the night, they were
included. Most of the early census enumeration dates where the first week
of Aug. In 1830 the enumeration date was changed to June 1. until 1910,
when it was changed to April 15, and 1920 when it was Jan 1.
If your relative was born in 1920, you are not going to find them on the
1920 census.
This lady has also prepared WebPages to help you understand how to use of
land records, and other court documents, and much, much more.
This is one that you will definely want to bookmark.
Virginia
vewing(a)ctesc.net