CENSUS RECORDS

Federal censuses begin for the state of Maine in 1790, though it was part of the state of Massachusetts until the 1820 census. The censuses were taken every ten years and are currently available through 1920 (excepting the mostly destroyed 1890 census). Presently, the 1870 and 1910 censuses are not indexed. Though the first three censuses saw Maine under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, their enumeration schedules are separated and presented as Maine.
It should be noted that the county of York is incomplete for 1800, as is Oxford County for 1810. The Washington County towns of Houlton Plantation and North Limerick are also missing. In 1837 a state census was taken but only Bangor, Portland, and unincorporated towns' enumerations of heads of households survive on microfilm at the Maine State Archives. The Maine Historical Society also holds an original volume enumerating the town of Elliot.

Maine Research Sources

Denis, Michael J. Maine Towns and Counties: What Was What, Where and When. Oakland, Maine: Danbury House Books, 1981. An indexed, updated survey of place-names.
Frost, John E. Maine Genealogy: A Bibliographic Guide. Portland: Maine Historical Society, 1985. A superb listing including printed probate records, maps, town histories, and numerous other sources. Organized by topic with thorough citations to expedite interlibrary loan research.
Haskell, John D. Maine: A Bibliography of its History. 1977. Reprint. Hanover, N.H.: University Press of New England, 1983. Excellent focus on printed and published historical materials.
A guide to research in the state can be found in John Eldridge Frost, "Maine Genealogy: Some Distinctive Aspects," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 131 (October 1977): 243–66. It is reprinted in Ralph J. Crandall, ed., Genealogical Research in New England (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1984).

Archives, Libraries and Societies.
Maine State Archives, State House Station 84, Augusta, ME 04333

Maine State Library, State House Station 64, Augusta, ME 04333

Maine Historical Society Library, 485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101