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(This page's most recent update is February 2026)
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Census records frequently contain abbreviations used by enumerators to save space. These shorthand entries can indicate relationships, marital status, occupation, birthplace, citizenship, and other personal details. Understanding these abbreviations helps ensure accurate interpretation of census data.
| Term | Meaning |
| M | Male |
| F | Female |
| W | White |
| B | Black |
| Mu | Mulatto (historical classification) |
| Ind | Indian (Native American) |
| Ch | Chinese |
| Jp | Japanese |
| D | Divorced |
| S | Single |
| M | Married (context-dependent) |
| Wd | Widow |
| Wid | Widowed |
| H | Head of household |
| Wf | Wife |
| Son | Son |
| Dau | Daughter |
| Lodg | Lodger |
| Serv | Servant |
| Lab | Laborer |
| Farm Lab | Farm Laborer |
| Ag Lab | Agricultural Laborer |
| Occ | Occupation |
| Pa | Pennsylvania (state abbreviation, varies by year) |
| N.Y. | New York |
| Va | Virginia |
| Do | Ditto (same as above entry) |
| NA | Naturalized |
| PA | Papers filed (Declaration of Intent) |
| AL | Alien |
| NR | Not Reported |
| At Sch | At School |
| U | Unemployed |
| R | Rents home |
| O | Owns home |
| M1 | First marriage |
| M2 | Second marriage |
| S1 | First marriage (earlier census coding) |
| Vet | Veteran |
| UA | Union Army |
| CA | Confederate Army |
| Y | Yes |
| N | No |
| Fr | Father |
| Mo | Mother |
| Br | Brother |
| Sr | Senior |
| Jr | Junior |
| Apr | Apprentice |
| Bord | Boarder |
| Ins | Inmate |
| Alm | Almshouse |
| Pen | Penitentiary |
| Inst | Institution |
If you’d like this information in a clean, printable, and well-organized reference format, this topic is also included in the Quicksheet Vault. The Vault is designed for researchers who prefer working tools they can save, print, and reuse—whether that means building a personal binder of key resources or keeping reliable references close at hand. You can learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE