The goal of the Maine Families in 1790 series is to document all of the families living in Maine at the time of the 1790 census.  The intent is to establish these families through accurate and well-documented summaries, providing a basis for further research.

To date ten volumes have been published and these document nearly 2,500 families living in Maine in 1790.  Not only has Maine Families in 1790 become one of the first sources to consult for Maine genealogical research, it has also allowed researchers to get in touch with the other persons working on the same families since the names of all submitters are published.  Maine Families in 1790 is a project in which ALL Maine genealogists are encouraged are participate and share information.

Master Index of Volumes 1-10

Click to view the index of the Heads of Household included in these volumes.

This file is in .pdf format.  If you do not have the free Adobe Reader software, please click on the image below.

Submission of Family Sketches

Maine Genealogical Society is now accepting families for Volume 11.

Submissions of families may be made in any format, but please include as much of the following information listed below as possible.  Please cite your sources and include photocopies of your sources with your submission.

1.  1790 Census Information - as enumerated on the printed census including (a) name of the head-of-household, (b) page and column number, (c) household statistics, and (d) name of town and county of residence in 1790.

2.  Head of Household - name, place and date of birth, parents' names (include documentation for the mother's maiden name), place and date of death, place and date of marriage.

3.  Spouse(s) of Head of Household - name, place and date of birth, parents' names (include documentation for the mother's maiden name), place and date of death.

4.  Biographical Information on the Family - At least two or three sentences are requested, although longer accounts are acceptable.  Information in this section might include occupations, places of residences, civil or military service, persons mentioned in probate or land records, discussion of research problems, and anything else of particular interest regarding the family.

5.  List of Children - with dates and places of birth, death and marriage; names of spouses with their dates and places of birth and death and names of parents (including documentation for the mothers' maiden names).

It is recognized that all the facts listed above will not be found for every family.  However, a conscientious effort should be made to locate as much of this information as is available in original (particularly deeds, probates and town vital records) and reliable published sources for the area and family in question.

Every fact must be cited to the source where the information is found.  Primary sources should be sought wherever possible.  Citations to primary sources should include the repository where the record was found, volume/page numbers, record numbers or file numbers as applicable.  A manuscript or typescript source should state the repository where it is found and should be cited exactly as given in the card catalog including author, date, and page number. Published sources should include the author, the exact name of the book, date of publication, and page number.  Please include photocopies of your sources with your submissions.

See sample Maine Families in 1790 sketch for an example of the format, level of information, and documentation requested.  For more information, please write to the editor.  Submissions of families may be sent directly to the editor.  Receipt will be promptly acknowledged in writing.

Joseph C. Anderson II, FASG

Editor, Maine Families in 1790

5337 Del Roy Drive

Dallas TX  75229-3016

Genealogical Standards
Always follow accepted standards for your genealogical research.

INDEXES TO VOLUMES 1-9 OF MAINE FAMILIES IN 1790

Now Available from Picton Press

Ever since the publication of Volume 1 in 1988, the Maine Families in 1790 project has been of the most popular ways for genealogists around the country to publish short well-researched sketches of the families of their ancestors who lived in Maine at the time of the first census.  Until now it was necessary to check the separate indexes of each of the nine volumes to determine if a particular individual or family has been covered in the series.  With this CD all of the separate indexes are consolidated into one, bringing to the researcher's fingertips the massive 102,850 names referenced in the nine-volume series thus far.

This CD includes three indexes for rapid access to all of the names documented in the Maine Families in 1790 series.  First, the consolidated every-name index includes every name found anywhere in the nine volumes with the volume number in which they appear.  Once the volume number is identified, researchers may then refer to the every-name index in that volume to look up the entry.

Second, this CD also includes an "Index to Heads of Families in Volumes 1-9," which includes the name of the head of household, the census statistics for that family, the location in Maine where the family was living, the Maine Families in 1790 volume and page number where the family is documented, and the page number of the 1790 census where the family was enumerated.

Third and finally, the "Place Index to Volumes 1-9" sorts the 2,500 families which have been documented in the series thus far by the location in which they lived.  This index, sorted by county and then by town, includes the name of the head of household, the census statistics for that family, the Maine Families in 1790 volume and page number where the family has been documented and the page number of the 1790 census where the family is enumerated.

click below to see a listing of

Maine Towns in the 1790 Census