Russell Lee, 1940, Library of Congress
One important tip is to stay organized from the beginning of your search. Here are some basic charts, family trees and other templates to get you started.
Other websites may provide more forms and options. Put them all in a loose-leaf binder and start exploring which work best for you.
Census records are a valuable source of information. The Federal Census has been taken every 10 years since 1790 and contains different questions each time. New Mexico was first included in the Federal Census in 1850, while still a territory.
Below are blank census forms provided by the National Archives. Each form reflects questions asked in a particular census. We have included just the relevant years for New Mexico. A full list of forms can be found at National Archives Genealogy Charts and Forms.
Note: The majority of the 1890 Federal Census was lost in a fire.
In addition to the federal census, New Mexico state census records and territorial census records are important for local researchers. If a state census was taken, it would happen 5 years after the Federal Census. A territorial census of New Mexico was first taken in 1885.