Ancestry.Com Releases the 1930 Mexico National Census

Ancestry. Com, the world's largest online family history resource, announced a significant addition to its growing collection of online Mexican and Hispanic historical records. With nearly 13 million records, the newly available 1930 Mexico National Census (El Quinto Censo General de Poblacion y Vivienda 1930 Mexico) is the most comprehensive historical Mixican census available online., It is estimated that this census counted approximately 90 percent of the population, therefore for nearly 30 million Americans who can trace their families to Mexico, it provides a valuable gateway to begin researching Mexican family history, especially if family, vital or religious records are lost.

Mexico's first formally recognized federal or national census was taken in 1895. Starting in 1900, censuses were taken every 10 years, making the 1930 Mexico Census the fifth official government census, or formally the Fifth General Census of Housing and Population. This particular census is significant in Mexican history as federal officials sought to make it a vehicle for national unity. A successful campaign urging citizens to take part as a civic duty resulted in an extremely high participation rate-primary reason why the 1930 Mexican Census is considered the best Mexican census conducted in the 20th century. The 1930 Mexico National Census provides a wide spectrum of details about individuals and families and can offer valuable insight into their lives. In addition to demographic data such as name, age, gender, birthplace, address and marital status, the census form also recorded nationality, religion, occupation, real estate holdings, literacy and any physical or mental defects. The millions of records in the collection reveal some interesting statistics about life in Mexico in 1930: 1. The most common given female name was Maria and the most common given male name was Juan. 2. The three most common surnames were Hernandez, Garcia and Martinez. 3. Nearly 18 percent of the population were recorded as single, 11 percent were civil and church marriage, 10 percent were church marriage and 8 percent were living together without marriage. 4. The four most populous Mexican states were Puebla, Veracruz, Jalisco and Oaxaca. 5. Famous Mexicans found in the collection include Maria Felix (1914-2002), who was among the best known Mixican actresses and Carmello Torres Fregoso (1927-2003), a renowned bullfighter who later became a successful businessman. "As the United States is home to the second largest Mexican community in the world, Mexican-Americans comprise 10 percent of the total U.S. population therefore it is fitting that the world's largest online family history resource now has an expansive collection to serve this important demographic," said Josh Hanna, Ancestry.Com Executive Vice President. While the 1930 Mexico Census is the newest and largest collection of Mexican records on Ancestry.Com, there are a number of other collections that may be helpful when conducting Mexican family history research, including Border Crossings: From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1957; Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, Mexico, Selected Parish Records, 1751-1880; and the Spanish-American Family History Guide. To start researching the 1930 Mexico Census for free, please visit www.ancestry.com/Mexico.