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United States U.S. Census State Censuses

State censuses were often taken in the years between the federal censuses, such as 1875 or 1892. For some states these exist from about 1825 to 1925. State census records may be found at state archives, state historical societies, state libraries, the Family History Library, or on the Internet.

Copies of many state censuses are on microfilm at the Family History Library. The Family History Library's most complete collections of state censuses are for Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. However censuses exist for the following states also: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. State, colonial, and territorial censuses at the Family History Library are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under "STATE - CENSUS RECORDS"

State, Territorial, and Colonial Censuses

Uses

State census records may help fill in the gaps in the years between the federal censuses. State census records may have asked different or unusual questions which may give additional information on the family.

Indexes

There are fewer indexes for state censuses than for federal censues. Indexes for state census records vary. You may find the following types of indexes:

No index

Surname index

Heads of house and strays index

Every name index

Soundex or Miracode index

Reconstructed index

Town, county, or state index

Multi-volume or multi-year indexes

When indexes exist they are usually mentioned in the same place you find the reference to the state census.

Additional Reading

• Summer Owens blog article State Censuses
• State Census Records (FHL 973 X2Lai) WorldCat entry by Ann S. Lainhart is a state-by-state list of censuses, and selected census substitutes. It describes dates, coverage, content, indexes and availability.
• State Census Register 3 vols. (FHL 973 X23us) by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Family History Library, US/Canada Reference Staff is available free online through Brigham Young University's Family History Archive: Vol. 1, FamilySearch Books Online; Vol. 2, FamilySearch Books Online; Vol. 3, FamilySearch Books Online

Related Content

• Gary Toms, State and Special Census Records. (36 minute online video).
• Loretto Dennis Szucs, and Wright, Matthew, Finding Answers in U.S. Census Records. (Orem, Utah: Ancestry, 2001). FHL 973 X27s. WorldCat entry.