Federal and state census records provide some of the best source material for finding your ancestors. The federal census was taken every 10 years beginning in 1790. With each successive census, more information was collected. Between 1790 and 1840, only the head of the household was listed. Beginning in 1850, all family members were listed by name with the relationship to the head of the household. Age and place of birth were included as well. Beginning with the 1880 census, the place of birth of each person's parents was also listed. State census records vary by state and time. Many were taken during years ending with 5. This combined with the federal records provides a steady stream of data every five years. One state that I have researched extensively is Kansas. Kansas began taking state census information in 1865 and continued until 1925. I have been able to trace many ancestors as they entered Kansas and left over the period 1865 through 1900, which was a period of heavy migration to Kansas. For more information on census records, see chapter 9 of my book, Find Your Roots Now!