Availability of the 1930 Federal Pennsylvania Census

Effective 23 June 2002

Tip Sheet 1930 Census

1. The 1930 Federal Census does not have a name index or Soundex. Searches can be done by enumeration district, which are the geographic areas in which the information was collected.
2. To make your search easier, make a list of the names and addresses of the people you want to look for in the 1930 census.
3. Search the Pittsburgh City Directories, 1920-30 (microfilm P-202) to verify Pittsburgh addresses. Check at the Pennsylvania Department desk for availability of directories of some neighboring communities, and other Pennsylvania locations.
4. Identify the enumeration district (ED) in which the address is located. There are several ways to do this:

• Check the provided list of Allegheny County Enumeration Districts for known townships or boroughs.
• Search the Enumeration District Maps for 1930 in the Microfilm Department. Reels: 28-29-30.
• Find specific Pittsburgh ED numbers on the website:
  <http://www.stevemorse.org/census> -- Obtaining ED's for the 1930 Census in One Step.
• Locate detailed enumeration district descriptions at the NARA 1930 Census Microfilm locator website:
  <http://1930census.archives.gov/beginSearch.asp>
  

Copies of Allegheny County ED descriptions have been printed and are available at the desk in the Microfilm and Pennsylvania Department.