Union County missed being included in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census because the county had not yet been erected. People who were in the area that became Union County may be enumerated in 1850 censuses of one of these counties; Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, and Knox. The first census for Union County is found in the U.S. Federal Census of 1860. It is said that many parts of the 1860 Federal Census were somewhat poorly done, mainly because the country was on the brink of the Civil War.

All Union County Censuses from 1860 are extant (in existence) except 1890. Most of the U.S. Federal Census 1890 population schedules for the entire United States were badly damaged by fire in the Commerce Department Building in January 1921.

Indices for the 1860, 1870, and 1880 Union County Censuses were formerly on-line on a different website, but apparently have been removed. We hope to remedy this situation, but it will take some little time.

Microfilms of U.S. Federal Census population schedules through 1920 are available for viewing at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Washington, DC, research rooms, and its thirteen regional facilities (1930 census and all existing soundex indexes will become available on 1 April 2002). NARA research rooms have printed indices to assist the researcher.

Since there are only fourteen NARA research rooms nationwide, many researchers turn to places closer to home to conveniently research the censuses. Main libraries in major cities, state libraries, genealogical libraries, county historical societies, and a few university libraries may have census microfilms available.

However, the main, best resource for census microfilms is the Family History Centers provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You may view the microfilms at their facilities without charge. You can find a nearby Family History Center by Clicking Here!

If you are new to census research, here is a nice tutorial by Nancy Cole: Beginner’s Guide to U.S. Federal Censuses.

OK, you have gotten this far, so what about purchasing census records?

The traditional source for transcribed census records is the printed book. The best source for printed Tennessee Census books is Byron Sistler and Associates in Nashville. Unfortunately, they do not currently list any Union County census books. Often though, local Historical Societies privately publish County Censuses.

The trend today is toward the CD-ROM, and so here is a real bargain: the entire 1880 United States Census in database form. This is a true “must have” for all obsessive compulsive genealogists (like me).

1880 United States Census Records, produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fifty-six CD-ROM disks (that’s right folks, fifty-six CD-ROM disks). To order your own copy of the 1880 U.S. Census on CD-ROM, go to www.familysearch.org, click on “Order/Download Products” and then click on “Software Products.” Continue to follow the menus until you find the 1880 census listed for $49. You will note that the order form is on a secure server, so you can safely enter your credit card number and other personal information.

You may purchase individual microfilms from the National Archives and Records Administration. For all Census Schedules and Soundex Indices, please visit this NARA Microfilm Catalogue page. Below are examples of NARA microfilms containing Union County censuses.

Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. M653. Microfilm Roll 1276. Tipton and Union Counties.

Ninth Census of the United States, 1870. M593. Microfilm Roll 1567. Tipton, Union, and Van Buren Counties

Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. T9. Microfilm Roll 1283. Trousdale, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, and Warren Counties.

Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War. M123. Microfilm Roll 95. Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, and Washington Counties.