Abstracting information from a Census record means that you are taking out important information that will help you progress with your family's genealogy.

Census records began in the U.S. in 1790.  Prior to that time there were some localized Census' done but nothing on a national scale. 

Every year that a Census was taken, they asked for either more information or different types of information.  The most recent National Census that we have available is the 1930 Census.  It has a lot of great information. 

If you look at the earliest National Census record, you'll find that they used a system of columns that asked at the top how many males of a certain age lived in the home and how many females of a certain age lived in a home.  It was very basic.  The 1930 National Census asks for names, birth dates, where their parents were born, what they did for a living, etc.  It is much more detailed as time goes on. 

I love looking at Census records.  If you don't have much luck with the National Census, please look up whether or not they had a local Census for the state or town.  Many states did their own Census' every 10 years but not the same year as the National Census.  They might have done it in 1925 instead of 1930.  That way there was a Census done every 5 years.  It does vary by the state though so I don't make any promises.

To conclude, I highly recommend that you take advantage of Census records.  You might be surprised at how much information you actually find!