Population schedules are the main census materials of interest to historians and genealogists. They name the head of households from the original 1790 census until today. From 1850 on, an entire family is listed by name with age, vocation, education, nationality, birthplace, birthplace of parents and home ownership are listed. As the census taker went door to door and street by street, entire neighborhoods and cities can be examined, documented, and recreated. An example can be viewed here.

The Microforms Center houses the entire population schedules for Ohio from 1820, which was the first extensive enumeration after statehood, until the dawn of the American Civil War in 1860. Additionally, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties schedules are available from 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1930. Many records from the important 1890 census when the greatest European immigration was in full swing were tragically lost in a fire. There is a census available from 1920 which Maag may purchase in the future.

The population schedules are fascinating primary resources whose use is often hindered by the handwriting and spelling of the local person hired to tabulate his particular section of town. However many pages are written with beautiful penmanship.