This data set includes an index to the 1850 census and scanned images of the actual records themselves — in the census taker's own handwriting!! The index references almost 141,000 Connecticut heads-of-household and 51,000 Rhode Island heads-of-household who were counted in this especially valuable census.

Often referred to as the first modern census, the 1850 census employed improved techniques for collecting information. For the first time, enumerators were provided printed instructions that explained their responsibilities, census procedures, and the intent behind census questions. These instructions accounted for a greater degree of accuracy in the census record.