Kansas, State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Kansas, State Census, 1885
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Kansas,
United States
Flag of Kansas
Flag of Kansas
Locator map of Kansas
Location of Kansas
Record Description
Record Type Census Records
Collection years 1885
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites
Archive
Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka


What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]

This is an image only collection of the Kansas state census taken in March 1, 1885. The census enumerated all household members. Kansas became a state in 1861 and later passed a law requiring a state census every ten years to number the population of the various counties in order to determine apportionment of the state legislature. The first state census was taken in 1865 and continued until 1925, as the law was repealed in 1933. The state censuses provide substantially different information than the federal censuses. The enumeration is divided into two schedules.

  • Schedule 1 enumerates each household and its occupants. Each enumeration requires three pages for tabulating all information, and the enumerations are listed in 32 rows per page. Each entry has 20 columnar details.
  • Schedule 2 enumerates each farm and its agricultural product. Thirty-two enumerations are listed on each page, and each enumeration requires eight pages for tabulating 88 columnar details.

Generally a reader will see a correlation from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 easily, since each schedule is added to in the same household visit. Generally, also, only the Schedule 1 pages are indexed. Since the 1890 Federal Census was destroyed, this state census, together with the state census of 1895, can substitute for locating ancestors between 1880 and 1900.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch provides images and indexes subject to contractual limitations and changes. Access to images and indexes may vary. Some collections may only have partial indexes without images. See Restrictions for Viewing Images for details.

To Browse This Collection[edit | edit source]

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Kansas State Census, 1885.

What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]

The following information may be found in these records (Note that each census page spans three pages or two digital images):

Schedule 1

  • All members of the household by name
  • The age of each household member
  • The sex of each household member
  • The race or color
  • The place of birth
  • Where the person came from to Kansas
  • Occupation
  • Education and literacy information
  • The military service of the person

Schedule 2

  • Name of farm occupant
  • Whether owned, rented, or representative of an agent
  • Number of acres (total and in production)
  • Cash value of farm and implements
  • Fencing data (acreage, type of fencing)
  • Acres planted to crops (wheat, rye, corn, barley, oats, buckwheat, potatoes, sorghum, castor beans, cotton, flax, hemp, tobacco, broom corn, millet, milo, Kaffir, Jerusalem)
  • Acres cultivating grasses (Timothy, clover, bluegrass, alfalfa, prairie, meadow)
  • Tons of cut hay
  • Value of garden produce
  • Value of poultry and eggs produce
  • Amount of dairy produce
  • Livestock (horses, mules, milk cows, cattle, sheep, swine)
  • Livestock death tally by type
  • Value of livestock slaughtered or sold for slaughter
  • Amount of wool produce
  • Acreage of nursery stock
  • Amount of trees in orchards (apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry)
  • Amount of small fruits (raspberry, blackberry, strawberry)
  • Acreage and gallons of vineyards
  • Beekeeping data
  • Number of dogs
  • Artificial forest data (walnut, maple, locust, cottonwood, other)
  • Value of forest product
  • General comment

Collection Content[edit | edit source]

Sample Image[edit | edit source]

  • 1885 State Census

    1885 State Census

How Do I Search This Collection?[edit | edit source]

Before searching the collection it is helpful to know:

  • The name of your ancestor
  • The residence and names of family members

Search the Index[edit | edit source]

This collection does not have a searchable index. Only images are available. See View the Images to access them.

View the Images[edit | edit source]

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:
  1. Select County
  2. Select Locality to view the images
Tip: More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at State Census of 1885. Click on camera icon to see images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?[edit | edit source]

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Use the ages listed to determine approximate birth dates and find the family in federal census records
  • Use the information found to find vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death
  • Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
  • Search for church records

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
  • If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
  • Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
  • Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle name

Research Helps[edit | edit source]

The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Kansas.

Other FamilySearch Collections[edit | edit source]

These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]


Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.
Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.

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