Minnesota Census: Difference between revisions

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A census is a count and description of the population of a country, colony, territory, state, county, or city. Census lists are also called schedules. A well-indexed census is one of the easiest ways to locate the specific places where your ancestors lived and to identify the time period they lived there. You can also find excellent family information, particularly in more recent censuses. Use the information with caution, however, since the information may have been given to a census taker by any member of the family or by a neighbor.
{{MN-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Census|U.S. Census]]
| link3=[[Minnesota, United States Genealogy|Minnesota]]
| link4=
| link5=[[Minnesota Census|Census]]
}}
==Online Federal Censuses==
===Population Schedules===
Starting in 1790, federal population schedules were taken every 10 years in the United States. [[United States Census|'''Click here for more information''']] about federal census records. <br><br>
Minnesota became the thirty-second state admitted to the Union on May 11, 1858. Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory. It was first included as a territory on the federal census in 1850.
======United States Federal Censuses with Online Links======
{| class="wikitable" width= "70%" style="display: inline-table;"
|-
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1850|1850]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1860|1860]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1870|1870]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1880|1880]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1890|1890]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1900|1900]]
|-
|{{RecordSearch|1401638|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1473181|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1438024|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1417683|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1610551|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5445/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1325221|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ Ancestry.com]
|-
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1910|1910]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1920|1920]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1930|1930]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1940|1940]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1950|1950]]
!style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:16%"|[[United States Census 1960|1960]]
|-


=== Federal Censuses ===
|{{RecordSearch|1727033|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1488411|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|1810731|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|2000219|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ Ancestry.com]
|{{RecordSearch|4464515|FamilySearch}}<br> [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ Ancestry.com]<br> [https://1950census.archives.gov/search/ NARA] 
|Release Date <br> April 1, 2032
|-
|}


'''Population Schedules.''' Federal census records are found at the Minnesota Historical Society, the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The [[United States Census|United States Research Outline provides]] more detailed information on the contents of these records.
===Non-Population Schedules for Minnesota===
Federal non-population schedules included such things mortality schedules, agriculture schedules, slave schedules, and manufacturing schedules.
{| class="wikitable" width= flexible style="display: inline-table;"
|-
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Year
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Type of Census
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;"| Links
|-
|1890
|Veterans
|[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/230777 FamilySearch] - index and images
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8667/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|1880
|Mortality
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|1870
|Social Statistics
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|1870
|Mortality
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|1870
|Industry
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|1870
|Agriculture
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1276/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|1860
|Mortality
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|1850
|Mortality
|[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3530/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|1840
|Pensioners
|[https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1840c-01.pdf Census Bureau Booklink]
[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/idurl/1/857237 FamilySearch]<br>
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7678/ Ancestry.com] ($)
|-
|}


Minnesota has an 1850 federal territorial census, but the first federal census taken for the state of Minnesota was in 1860. The 1890 census was lost for all counties but Rockford. In the microfilmed schedules of the 1900 census, schedules for the White Earth Indian Reservation follow Yellow Medicine County. The Family History Library has the U.S. federal censuses of Minnesota for 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. The National Archives copy of the 1870 census was destroyed, but another version was reconstructed from duplicates preserved by the state. The Family History Library has copies from both the Minnesota Historical Society (Archives and Manuscripts Collections) and the National Archives.
===Existing and Lost Censuses===
*[[Minnesota Censuses Existing and Lost|List of existing and lost federal censuses for Minnesota]]


Although most of the 1890 census was destroyed, small portions do exist for Minnesota:
==Online State and Territorial Censuses==
 
State censuses are census records that were taken at the state-level rather than at the federal. Often, but not always, a state took their census in ten year increments 5 years from when the Federal Census was taken, such as 1885. State censuses can even serve as substitutes for missing federal censuses. For more information on state censuses, visit [https://www.census.gov/history/www/genealogy/other_resources/state_censuses.html United States Census Bureau].<br><br>
United States. Census Office. 11th Census, 1890. ''Population Schedules of the Eleventh Census of the United States, 1890''. National Archives Microfilm Publication M0407. Washington, D.C.: The National Archives, 1962. (FHL film 926499 is for Minnesota.) The schedules for parts of Rockford, Wright County, Minnesota start on page 1017. For an every-name index to the 1890 census see:
Territorial censuses were taken by the federal government to count the population in federal territories. The government needed to count the population in the territory to see if it could qualify for statehood. For more information on territorial censuses, visit the [[United States Census Territorial|US Territorial Census page]].<br><br>
 
{| class="wikitable" width= flexible="display: inline-table;"
Nelson, Ken. 1890 ''U.S. Census Index to Surviving Population Schedules and Register of Film Numbers to the Special Census of Union Veterans''. Rev. ed. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1991. (FHL book 973 X2na.) This index covers the few surviving 1890 census schedules. The index gives name of individual and geographical location including state, county and township, and census schedule page number.
|-
 
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Year
The Minnesota Historical Society has produced two microfiche of 1890 census information discovered several years ago. It covers several families in Rockville Township, Wright County, Minnesota:
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;" | Type of Census
 
! style="background:#cccccc; scope:col; width:flexible;"| Links
U.S. Census Rockville Township, Wright County, ''Census Schedules, 1890''. St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Historical Society, 1987. (Not at Family History Library.)
|-
 
|1905
Statewide indexes for the census schedules of 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 are available in book format. These index the names of the heads of each household. They also include the first person in the household who has a different surname from the head. An 1860 every-name card index on microfilm is:
|State; names individuals.
 
|
''Index to the 1860 Federal Census Schedules for Minnesota''. St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts, 1978. (FHL films 1373881–911). The page numbers in this card index do not always correspond to the page numbers in the National Archives microfilms of the 1860 census. This index may be used to decide which county and township the family lived in. Then that location can be searched line by line on the census schedules.
[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1503056 FamilySearch]<br>
 
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)] <br>
The Minnesota Historical Society has an every-name card index to the 1870 federal census that is different from the printed version. The index is on microfilm and is available through interlibrary loan. A few printed county or area indexes exist for some of the state censuses.
[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30072/1905-minnesota-state-census MyHeritage ($)]
 
|-
There is a partial soundex (phonetic index) for the 1880 census that only covers families with children age 10 and under. Complete soundex indexes exist for the 1900 and 1920 censuses. There is no statewide index to the 1910 census of Minnesota.
|1895
 
|State (partial); names all household members.
County-wide indexes to federal censuses often contain the names of every person in the household, and may also include heads of households who were overlooked or whose names were misspelled in statewide indexes. County-wide indexes are listed in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under:
|
 
[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1503031 FamilySearch]<br>
MINNESOTA, [COUNTY]– CENSUS – [YEAR]
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)] <br>
 
[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30067/18https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30069/1875-minnesota-state-census?s=27576476195-minnesota-state-census?s=275764761 MyHeritage ($)]
'''Multistate Indexes'''. Some of the indexes mentioned above are combined into one master index of several census years, states, and census types:
|-
 
|1885
FamilyFinder Index and Viewer. Version 4.0. [Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 1997. (FHL compact disc no.9 1997 index). This does not circulate to Family History Centers. It is a master index to the 1840 Iowa Territory census, which included selected counties of Minnesota; 1847 and 1849 territorial censuses; 1850 territorial census with records for 1852; and mortality schedules for 1850, 1860, and 1870; and additional records for 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, and 1877. These entries may not be complete for all extant records. They do not cite the exact sources. An Internet edition of this index is also available:
|State; names all household members.
 
|
"Internet FamilyFinder" In FamilyTreeMaker.com [Internet site]. [Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 21 July 1999– [cited 26 October 1999]. Available at:
[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1503044 FamilySearch]<br>
 
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)] <br>
[http://www.familytreemaker.com/allsearch.html www.familytreemaker.com/allsearch.html] .
[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30068/1885-minnesota-state-census MyHeritage ($)]
 
|-
You can search the FamilyFinder index for free. It displays the census year and state for each name matching the search. It may also list many vital records and genealogical collection citations. Once you know the census year and state, you must use the original index on compact disc, microfiche, or book to obtain enough data to find the name in the original census schedules. Similar index information is also available at www.Ancestry.com for a subscription fee. The FamilyFinder index includes the following Jackson indexes:
|1875
 
|State
Jackson, Ronald Vern. ''AIS Microfiche Indexes of U.S. Census and Other Records''. Bountiful, Utah: Accelerated Indexing Systems International, 1984. (No FHL fiche number, but available at many Family History Centers.) Contains a composite mortality schedule index on search 8, and separate 1840 and 1850 indexes and a partial 1860 index on other searches. For further instructions, see the Accelerated Indexing System, U.S. Census Indexes on Microfiche Resource Guide (30970).
|
 
[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1503053 FamilySearch]<br>
When indexes are not available or a name is omitted from an index you can still look for the name in the census. To find a person who lived in a large city, it helps to first find his or her address in the city directory for the same year as the census. (See the "[[Minnesota Directories|Directories]]" section of this outline). Then look for that address on the original census schedules.
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)] <br>
 
[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30069/1875-minnesota-state-census?s=275764761 MyHeritage ($)]
The following reference tools help determine which census schedule microfilm and enumeration district to search for specific addresses:
|-
 
|1865
Kirkham, E. Kay. ''A Handy Guide to Record- Searching in the Larger Cities of the United States''. Logan, Utah: Everton, 1974. (FHL book 973 D27kc; fiche 6010059-60.) Contains street maps for Duluth, Minneapolis, and St. Paul.
|State (some counties missing)
 
|
Census Descriptions of Geographic Subdivisions and Enumerations Districts.
[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1503054 FamilySearch] <br>
 
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)] <br>
{| class="plain"
|-
|1857
|Territorial; lists names of individuals.
|
[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1503055 FamilySearch]<br>
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)]
|-
|1855
|Territorial; only names head of household.  
|
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)]
|-
|1853
|Territorial; lists names of individuals.  
|
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)]
|-
|-
| 1880
|1849
| FHL film 1402861 <br>
|Territorial; only names head of household.
|
[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1058/ Ancestry.com ($)]
|-
|-
| 1900
|1838
| FHL film 1303023
|Territorial
|Contact [https://www.mnhs.org/genealogy/family/genieguide/census.php Minnesota Historical Society]
|-
|-
| 1910
|1836
| FHL film 1374006
|Territorial
|Contact [https://www.mnhs.org/genealogy/family/genieguide/census.php Minnesota Historical Society]
|-
|-
| 1920
| FHL film 1842709
|}
|}


<br>Buckway, G. Eileen. U.S. 1910 Federal Census: ''Unindexed States: A Guide to Finding Census Enumeration Districts for Unindexed Cities, Towns, and Villages''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, 1992. (FHL book 973 X2bu 1910; fiche 6101340.) This lists all Minnesota towns (or wards) with their 1910 census enumeration district numbers and FHL film numbers. Duluth, Minneapolis, and St. Paul each have special instructions, often including FHL book or film numbers for city directories.
==Why Use the Census?==
 
State census records can be one of the easiest ways to locate where an ancestor's family lived and when they lived there. Information varies based on year and location, but information that may be included in a census can include:  
Malmberg, Emil and Maurine. ''Street Indexes to Unindexed Cities in the U.S. 1910 Federal Census''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, 1993. (FHL book 973 X2str 1910; fiche 6104151.) This lists Minneapolis street addresses with their corresponding page numbers, 1910 census enumeration district numbers, and FHL film numbers.
*Name of each person in the family at the time the census was taken
 
*Street or Avenue, or number Rural Free Delivery
Mortality schedules (1850–1880) list those persons who died in the 12-month period prior to the census. Mortality schedules for Minnesota exist for the years 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880. The schedules for the years 1860 and 1880 are indexed for the entire state. The 1850 and 1870 schedules have separate indexes for each county. These schedules and indexes are available on film at the Family History Library. These can be looked up in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under:
*Sex
 
*Age
MINNESOTA – CENSUS
*Color
 
*Nativity
There is also a surviving portion of a 1900 mortality schedule taken for Minnesota. The printed full transcription at the Family History Library is:
*Place of birth of this person
 
*Place of birth of Father of this person
Warren, James W. ''Minnesota 1900 Census Mortality Schedule. St. Paul, Minnesota''<nowiki>: Warren Research &amp;amp; Marketing Publication, 1992. (FHL book 977.6 X2w 1900.) The book contains 3225 individuals. It is arranged alphabetically by county, with the large cities following the counties in which they are located. Indian reservations are listed at the end of the counties. It gives name, age, color, sex, marital status, month died, cause of death, and physician. It also has a glossary of medical terms. This book lists only deaths that were not registered in Minnesota vital records in the 12 months before 1 June 1900. Some of the deaths were later copied into the county death registers. This book is available at the Minnesota Historical Society Library and many other libraries. The surviving 1900 schedules and transcripts are available at the Minnesota Historical Society.</nowiki>
*Place of birth of Mother of this person
 
*Period of Residence
There are published indexes to the mortality schedules for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880:
*How long a resident of this State (years and months)
 
*How long a resident of this enumeration district (years and months)
''Mortality Records of Minnesota by Counties from the Territorial Period of 1850 to the End of the Year 1870: with the Records of St. Louis County to End of Year 1883''. Typescript, 1947. (FHL book 977.6 V23d; film 823717 item2; fiche 6051203). This book gives name, age, sex, state or country of birth, occupation, and month of death. The St. Louis County lists are for 1872–1879 and 1881–1883. This book is arranged by county and is not indexed. The records come from the federal census except St. Louis County, which appears to come from local records.
*Regular occupation
 
*Military service
Jackson, Ronald Vern, ed. ''Mortality Schedule, Minnesota 1880''. Bountiful, Utah: Accelerated Indexing Systems, 1979. (FHL book 977.6 X2j 1880.) The list is arranged alphabetically and gives the county of residence.
{{Minnesota|Minnesota}} {{USCensus}}
 
'''Veteran Schedules (1890)'''. A special census was taken in 1890 of Union veterans of the Civil War:
 
United States. Census Office. 11th Census, 1890. ''Schedules Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War''. National Archives Microfilm Publication M123. (On 118 FHL films.) The Minnesota returns are available at the Family History Library on FHL films 338181–84. This census lists the veteran’s name or widow, rank, company and regiment or vessel, dates of service, and current post office address. An index to the Minnesota returns has been published:
 
Dilts, Bryan Lee. ''1890 Minnesota Census Index of Civil War Veterans or Their Widows''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Index Publishing, 1985. (FHL book 977.6 X22d 1890).
 
=== Territorial and State Censuses ===
 
There are early censuses that list inhabitants of the area that became Minnesota. A small portion of what is now Minnesota is included in the Michigan 1820 territorial census. For this census index see:
 
Jackson, Ronald Vern. ''Michigan 1820 Census Index''. Bountiful, Utah: Accelerated Indexing Systems, 1981. (FHL book 977.4 X22m 1820.)
 
Portions of present-day Minnesota were included in the 1836 Wisconsin territorial census, as part of Crawford and Dubuque counties. (Dubuque County was later in Iowa Territory.) In 1838, the Wisconsin territorial census covered some of Minnesota in Crawford and Clayton counties. Some Minnesota residents are listed in the 1840 territorial censuses of Wisconsin and Iowa.
 
In 1849 Minnesota became its own territory. Censuses were taken in 1849, 1850, 1853, 1855 and 1857. A microfilmed index is at Minnesota Historical Library and available through interlibrary loan. Parts or all of some of these censuses have been lost. Others are at the Minnesota Historical Society Library. The Family History Library has:
 
Minnesota. Census Bureau. ''Schedules of the Minnesota Census of 1857''. National Archives Microfilm Publication, T1175. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1973. (FHL films 944283–90.) The 1857 census is arranged alphabetically by county and then by the smaller jurisdiction. It was taken by 21 September 1857 and lists each household member and includes name, age, sex, race, birth locality (state, territory, or country), occupation, and if naturalized or native citizen.
 
According to the article below, some fictional names of people and places of residence were listed in southwestern Minnesota in the 1857 census:
 
Forrest, Robert J. ''Mythical Cities of Southwestern Minnesota''. Minnesota History: A Quarterly Magazine. 14, no. 3 (September 1933): 243–62. (FHL book 977.6 H25m; film 965778.)
 
After Minnesota became a state, censuses listing the name of every person were taken by the state government in 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905. Portions of some counties have been indexed, and some are available in published format. Census schedules for some years have been lost for some counties. Microfilms are available at the Minnesota Historical Society and at the Family History Library.
 
The Minnesota Historical Society created guides of their collection for the 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905 censuses that include a county index, an introduction that lists counties that have no schedule, and a roll content list that has the subdivisions (townships, municipalities) in each county and the order they appear on the roll. To find these guides, see the Place Search of the catalog under:
 
MINNESOTA – CENSUS – [YEAR] – INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS
 
The Minnesota Historical Society’s Genealogical Resources of the Minnesota Historical Society, A Guide has information on all the censuses that pertain to Minnesota. (See the "[[Minnesota Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" section of this outline.)
 
Some of the early territorial censuses have been published in the Minnesota Genealogist and the Minnesota Genealogical Journal. (See the "[[Minnesota Periodicals|Periodicals]]" section of this outline.)
 
Microfilm numbers of Minnesota territorial or state censuses are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
 
MINNESOTA – CENSUS– [YEAR]
 
They are also found in:
 
Buckway, G. Eileen. ''U.S. State and Special Census Register: A Listing of Family History Library Microfilm Numbers''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1992. (FHL book 973 X2be 1992; fiche 6104851–52.)
 
=== Web Sites ===
 
http://www.mnhs.org/index.htm
 
http://www.censusfinder.com/minnesota.htm
 
[[Category:Minnesota]]<br>
 
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/census/minnesota.htm


http://www.census-online.com/links/MN/


http://www.rootsweb.com/~census/states/minnesota/
[[Category:Minnesota Census Records|Census]]

Latest revision as of 17:21, 10 November 2023

Minnesota Wiki Topics
Minnesota flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Minnesota Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Online Federal Censuses[edit | edit source]

Population Schedules[edit | edit source]

Starting in 1790, federal population schedules were taken every 10 years in the United States. Click here for more information about federal census records.

Minnesota became the thirty-second state admitted to the Union on May 11, 1858. Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory. It was first included as a territory on the federal census in 1850.

United States Federal Censuses with Online Links[edit | edit source]
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
FamilySearch
Ancestry.com
NARA
Release Date
April 1, 2032

Non-Population Schedules for Minnesota[edit | edit source]

Federal non-population schedules included such things mortality schedules, agriculture schedules, slave schedules, and manufacturing schedules.

Year Type of Census Links
1890 Veterans FamilySearch - index and images

Ancestry.com ($)

1880 Mortality Ancestry.com ($)
1870 Social Statistics Ancestry.com ($)
1870 Mortality Ancestry.com ($)
1870 Industry Ancestry.com ($)
1870 Agriculture Ancestry.com ($)
1860 Mortality Ancestry.com ($)
1850 Mortality Ancestry.com ($)
1840 Pensioners Census Bureau Booklink

FamilySearch
Ancestry.com ($)

Existing and Lost Censuses[edit | edit source]

Online State and Territorial Censuses[edit | edit source]

State censuses are census records that were taken at the state-level rather than at the federal. Often, but not always, a state took their census in ten year increments 5 years from when the Federal Census was taken, such as 1885. State censuses can even serve as substitutes for missing federal censuses. For more information on state censuses, visit United States Census Bureau.

Territorial censuses were taken by the federal government to count the population in federal territories. The government needed to count the population in the territory to see if it could qualify for statehood. For more information on territorial censuses, visit the US Territorial Census page.

Year Type of Census Links
1905 State; names individuals.

FamilySearch
Ancestry.com ($)
MyHeritage ($)

1895 State (partial); names all household members.

FamilySearch
Ancestry.com ($)
MyHeritage ($)

1885 State; names all household members.

FamilySearch
Ancestry.com ($)
MyHeritage ($)

1875 State

FamilySearch
Ancestry.com ($)
MyHeritage ($)

1865 State (some counties missing)

FamilySearch
Ancestry.com ($)

1857 Territorial; lists names of individuals.

FamilySearch
Ancestry.com ($)

1855 Territorial; only names head of household.

Ancestry.com ($)

1853 Territorial; lists names of individuals.

Ancestry.com ($)

1849 Territorial; only names head of household.

Ancestry.com ($)

1838 Territorial Contact Minnesota Historical Society
1836 Territorial Contact Minnesota Historical Society

Why Use the Census?[edit | edit source]

State census records can be one of the easiest ways to locate where an ancestor's family lived and when they lived there. Information varies based on year and location, but information that may be included in a census can include:

  • Name of each person in the family at the time the census was taken
  • Street or Avenue, or number Rural Free Delivery
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Color
  • Nativity
  • Place of birth of this person
  • Place of birth of Father of this person
  • Place of birth of Mother of this person
  • Period of Residence
  • How long a resident of this State (years and months)
  • How long a resident of this enumeration district (years and months)
  • Regular occupation
  • Military service