You’re familiar with the federal census records. Taken every ten years, they provide a major source of information for tracking your ancestors. But are you familiar with state census records and the information they have to offer?
STATE CENSUS RECORDS: WHAT ARE THEY?
State censuses were often taken between the federal censuses, falling on years that ended with a “5”: 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925, 1935, 1945. States took census records for different reasons than the government did. They were taken to determine military strength, figure out where more schools were needed, discover how finances were distributed throughout communities, gain statistics for urban planning, and track the number of African Americans moving into northern cities.
The information contained in a state census differs depending on the reason the state conducted the census. Some contain scanty information, like head of household only; others contain more.
THE PROS
State census records are useful because they can confirm information found in federal census records. They can also fill in gaps. For example, most of the 1890 federal census was destroyed by a fire in the United States Commerce Department in 1921. State census records taken in 1885 and 1895 can help make up for this loss. State census records may also contain information not included in the federal census for the same area.
THE PROOF'S IN THE PUDDING
I decided to use the state census records to see what I could learn about my own family. Since the Kansas State Census Collection, 1855–1915 was recently released and my great-grandmother Margery Kirkton was born in Kansas in 1891, I started my search there.
What I already knew was this. According to the 1880 federal census, Margery’s parents, James and Flora Kirkton, were living in Greenwood, Jackson County, Missouri. According to the 1900 federal census, they were living in Canon City, Freemont County, Colorado. Sometime between 1880 and 1891, when Margery was born, they moved from Missouri to Kansas. And sometime between 1891 and 1900 they moved from Kansas to Colorado. Would I find them on any Kansas state census records?
When I entered “James Kirkton” in the Kansas state census search I found my answer: Yes. There they were, listed in Garnett, Anderson County, in the 1895 Kansas state census with my great-grandmother Margery listed as a four-year-old toddler.
Now my family timeline for the Kirktons goes like this: 1880, Missouri; 1891, Kansas; 1895, Kansas; 1900, Colorado.
The Kansas state census also gave me one more piece of information I didn’t have: James’s occupation in 1895. In the 1880 federal census, James is listed as a druggist. In the 1900 federal census, James is listed as a fruit grower. In the 1895 state census, he is listed as a carpenter. Now that’s what I call a jack-of-all-trades.
STATE CENSUS RECORDS AT ANCESTRY.COM
To see if a state census record is available for a state you are interested in, go to the Ancestry.com homepage and click the Search tab. Click on a state name at the bottom of the page. Under “[State] Historical Records” you will see a list of census records available for that state. Click on “View all Census Records” for a complete list.
Some of the state census records now available on Ancestry.com include the following:
COMING SOON . . .
If a state census record isn’t available for the state you’re researching, one may become available in the future. Ancestry.com is currently in the process of indexing state census records for Missouri, New Jersey, Minnesota, North Dakota, Illinois, South Dakota, Colorado, and Florida.
Of special note is the Iowa State Census, 1925, to be released later this month. It is famous for being one of the most comprehensive groups of state census records available. Besides the usual questions, enumerators asked for the place of abode (including house number and street); the number of years the person lived in Iowa; the names of parents (including mother’s maiden name); places of birth, age if living, and place of marriage of parents; nine questions about military service; nine questions about occupation; church affiliation; and six questions about real estate. If only all enumerators had been so thorough!
Jana Lloyd is editor of the Ancestry Monthly newsletter. She can be reached at AMUeditor@ancestry.com but cannot assist with personal research questions.
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