Minnesota State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Collection Time Period
This census is for the year 1885.

Record History
The census includes most individuals within the counties enumerated. State censuses were taken in Minnesota every ten years beginning in 1865 through 1905.

Why This Record Was Created
The census was compiled to obtain a description and a count of the population of the state of Minnesota. This helps in apportioning political representation at all levels of government.

Record Reliability
The information is generally reliable. However, use the information with some caution since it 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

Record Description
The record is a printed form that was filled in by hand by the enumerator. The forms are arranged by county and community.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in the Minnesota 1885 State Census are:


 * Name
 * Age
 * Gender
 * Color
 * Place of birth (state or territory if in the U.S., country if foreign born)
 * Length of residence
 * Occupation
 * If a soldier or sailor in the Civil War
 * Whether mother and father foreign born or not
 * Residence or location within a country (The location within a county may not be a town name but a legal land description instead which gives the township number and the range number.)

How to Use the Record
A census can provide you with names and ages of family members, which can be used to calculate birth or marriage dates. It can also provide the name of the county and town where your ancestor lived. People living with the family may be relatives. Relatives may also have lived nearby. The census may identify individuals for whom other records may not exist.

Related Websites
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Related Wiki Articles
Minnesota Census Minnesota State Census 1895 Minnesota 1895 State Census

Sources of This Collection

 * Minnesota. State Library and Records Service. State Censuses 1865-1905. Digital images of originals housed in the State Library and Records Service, St. Paul, Minnesota.

How to Cite Your Sources

Instructions for citing this source can be found at: Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)