However, where might I find the US census records?
Are they available online?

Perhaps this can help with the census search.

http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/microcen.html

Carolyn Rossio Javitch
Cleveland Ohio
Researching:
FINESMITH, Streshin Belarus, Pryluki Ukraine;
ROSSIO/ROSIN/ROSEN, Ostro Maz/Lomza Poland