New York State Census, 1905 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
State censuses were created by the state of New York and were taken about every ten years beginning in 1795. These records do not cover the entire population of New York. The census was compiled to obtain a count and description of the population of the state of New York. Use the information with caution, since the information may have been given to a census taker by any member of the family or by a neighbor. Some information may have been incorrect or deliberately falsified.

The record is a printed form that was filled in by hand by the enumerator. The schedules are usually arranged by county and political subdivisions. Information from the following thirteen counties is missing:


 * Dutchess
 * Livingston
 * Nassau
 * Ontario
 * Orange


 * Putnam
 * Queens
 * Richmond
 * Schuyler
 * Suffolk


 * Sullivan
 * Wyoming

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Town, county and enumeration district
 * Name of each person whose place of abode was in this family on 1 June 1905
 * Race, gender and age of each person
 * Relationship to head of household


 * Country where born
 * Citizen or alien
 * Occupation
 * Number of years in the United States

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The place where the family lived

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the ages listed to determine approximate birth dates and find the family in additional census records
 * Use the information found in the record to find vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of New York.
 * New York Guided Research
 * New York Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step New York Research, 1880-Present
 * New York Record Finder

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.