United States Census State Censuses

Additional information may be found on the United States Census Portal page.

Availability
Location of records--State census records may be found at State Archives, State Historical Societies, State Libraries, the Family History Library and on the Internet.

Historical Background
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. They are found in state archives, and copies of most are on microfilm at the Family History Library. The library's most complete collections of state censuses are for Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

They are usually listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under [STATE] - CENSUS RECORDS.

Value of the Records
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
Indexes described under “Indexes to Federal Population Censuses” above. For further details see the state research outlines. Here is a list of state and territorial censuses:

Content

 * Lainhart, Ann S. State Census Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1992. (FHL book X2Lai;) State-by-state list of censuses, and selected census substitutes. Describes dates, coverage, content, indexes and availability.
 * Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Family History Library, US/Canada Reference Staff, State Census Register, 3 vols. (Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 2005). FHL Ref. book 973 X23us.