Bulgaria Census

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Bulgaria

Census

Introduction

Censuses are population enumerations compiled by the government. The first national census was conducted in 1880 just after liberation from Ottoman rule. Additional censuses were conducted in 1884, 1887, 1892, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1926, 1934, 1946, 1956, 1965 and other more recent years.

Ottoman census records for the period 1831-1872 were enumerations of males compiled not as population counts but for fiscal and military purposes. They contain the name of the head of household, male family members, ages, occupation, and property. Ottoman census records are located at the Oriental Department of the Cyril and Methodius National Library, Sofia. Some may be preserved among the archives of the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul.

Coverage

Censuses began in 1880 and continued to 1965 and later. 95% of the population is included in the census.

Content

Censuses most likely list the head of household, social status, names of family members and their ages, family relationships, and their residence. Other details may vary.

Accessing the Records

The name lists for the censuses from 1880-1892 have not been preserved. The disposition of the census name lists for the 20th century is not known. The Family History Library does not have census records from Bulgaria.

Censuses are useful in quickly identifying family groups. They can uniquely identify individuals not found in church records or civil registration.