Kansas Census

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Existing and lost censuses

For a list of available and missing Kansas censuses, click here.

Availability

United States Censuses 1860-1920—Free Internet census indexes and images to the 1860, 1870, 1880 (index only), 1900, and 1920 (partial index only) can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search. These indexes show every name listed on the census, and except for 1880 and 1920, are also linked to census images including information about each person’s residence, age, birthplace, occupation, other family members, and neighbors.

1860-1930--The Family History Library has the federal censuses for the state of Kansas.

1879--On the Lineage website there is an Index to Kansas Settlers living in 1879. Many of the records give birth date and place.

1890--Census was destroyed.

Historical Background

1803--The United States acquired Kansas from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

1804-1820--United States government expeditions explored the Kansas region.

1821--The Santa Fe Trail across Kansas was opened. It served as a wagon road from Missouri to the Southwest until 1880, when the railroad was completed.

1827-1853--The United State Army built forts and roads in Kansas for frontier defence and to protect trade along the Santa Fe Trail.

1830-1854--Kansas was part of Indiana Territory, where 20 tribes from the east were relocated. The Indian Territory was closed to white settlement.

1854--The Kansas-Nebraska Act created two territories extending from the Missouri border westward to the tops of the Rocky Mountains and opened the area to white settlement.

1861--Kansas, with its present boundaries was admitted to the Union.

Indexes

United States Census Indexes 1860-1920—Free Internet census indexes to the 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, and 1920 (partial index only) can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search.

1880, 1900-1920-- A soundex (phonetic) index is available on microfilm.

The Family History Library also has a street index for Kansas City (Family History Library fiche 6331481) for use with the 1910 census.

Special Census

Mortality Schedules

1860-1880--Kansas has mortality schedules.

The schedules and indexes are available in book or microfilm format at the Family History Library and at the Kansas State Historical Society.

Mortality Schedules 1850-1880

Voter Censuses

1856, 1857, 1859--Censuses exist for some counties. The original records are at the Kansas State Historical Society. Many of these were printed in vols. 17-19 of Kansas Kin.

Territorial and State Censuses

1860--Federal census for the Territory of Kansas and parts of Colorado and an index.

1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925--Censuses taken by the territory and the state also exist. The 1855 census sometimes lists all the members of the family, but in some cases gives only the head of household and number of family members. The later censuses give information on the entire household and, after 1875, include the county or state of former residence. The Family History Library has the state censuses. All are available at the Kansas State Historical Society.

In an effort to determine who in fact was an eligible voter in the 1854 & 1855 elections, a comparison of poll lists was made to the 1855 Territory of Kansas Census. Information on the State of Kansas in 1855 and lists of individuals will be found on "Troubles in Kansas" site.