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Nebraska, State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Nebraska, State Census, 1885
CID1810728
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Nebraska, 
United States
Flag of the United States of America
Flag of the United States of America
US Flag 1877-1890 (38 stars)
US Flag 1877-1890 (38 stars)
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
Location of the United States of America
Location of the United States of America
Record Description
Record Type Census
Record Group RG 29: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007
Collection years 1885
Microfilm Publication M352. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007. 56 rolls
Arrangement Alphabetically by County
National Archives Identifier 358 2791166
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration


What is in This Collection?

The Nebraska State Census, 1885 collection consists of a name index for the population schedules listing the inhabitants of the state of Nebraska and images for the population, mortality, manufactures and agriculture schedules. The 1885 census was taken at the request of the United States Federal Government and with their assistance. Nebraska was one of five states (or territories) who participated. The records are handwritten on pre-printed pages with rows and columns. The schedule format is similar to the 1880 federal census. The census includes all of the counties that existed at the time, with the exceptions of Blaine and Chase County.

The collection was taken from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm number M352, Schedules of the Nebraska State Census of 1885, which is part of Record Group 29 Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007. The microfilm pamphlet is available for download from the National Archives Microfilm Resources for Research: A Comprehensive Catalog.

General Information about the 1885 Census

In March of 1879, Congress passed an act authorizing the tenth and following censuses. In addition to the regular censuses taken every ten years, this act also made authorized a census to be taken in the middle of the decade. On 1 June 1885, a special federal census of Nebraska was taken following the guidelines outlined in the March 1879 census act. The 1885 census included four general schedules: population, agriculture, manufactures, and mortality. These schedules are organized alphabetically by county and then by the number assigned to each type of schedule. Within each type of schedule, the records are arranged by enumeration district. The 1885 population schedule resembles a typical census schedule and can provide valuable information that can be used to fill the gap caused by the loss of the 1890 federal census in the 1921 Department of Commerce fire.

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

Index and Image Visibility

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

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

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Census

  • Name of every member of the household
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Age
  • If born within the last year age in months
  • Relationship to head of household
  • Single, married, widowed, or divorced
  • Profession or occupation
  • Number of months unemployed in the previous year
  • If disabled and nature of the disability
  • Attended school
  • Whether can read, write, or speak English
  • Birthplace
  • Father's birthplace
  • Mother's birthplace

Collection Content

Sample Images

  • Population Schedule

    Population Schedule

  • Manufacture Schedule

    Manufacture Schedule

  • Agriculture Schedule

    Agriculture Schedule

  • Mortality Schedule

    Mortality Schedule

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • The name of your ancestor
  • The approximate age of your ancestor
  • The birth place of your ancestor
  • The names of other family members and their relationships

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Enter the information in the fields in the Search Collection section or click More Options to see additional fields
  2. Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:
  1. Select County
  2. Select Town or Enumeration District Number
  3. Select Schedule (Population, Agriculture, Manufacture or Mortality) to view the images
Tip: More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at Nebraska State Census, 1885. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?

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?

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Search for vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death
  • Search for the family in federal census records
  • Use the information found from the different types of schedules to look for land and probate records
  • Search for church records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

  • Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
  • Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
  • If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
  • Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
  • Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps

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

Other FamilySearch Collections

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

FamilySearch Catalog

FamilySearch Historical Records

Citing This Collection

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.
Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.
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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