New York, U.S., State Census, 1855

New York began taking formal state censuses in 1825 both to determine representation in state government and to produce statistics the government might find useful. The state took a census every ten years from 1825 through 1875, another in 1892, and then every ten years again from 1905 to 1925. State censuses like these are useful because they fall in between federal census years and provide an interim look at a population.

What You Can Find in the Records

The 1855 census of New York records the following details:

• state, county, and town, township, or city (and ward and district in cities)
• material of which dwelling is built and value
• name
• age, sex, and color (black or mulatto)
• relation to head of family (something not found on federal censuses until 1880)
• county, state, or country of birth
• marital status
• how long a resident in the city or town
• occupation
• whether native or naturalized voters, alien, or colored not taxed
• literacy for those over 21
• whether owner of land
• whether deaf, dumb, or blind

Records are available for all counties that existed at the time except the following: Clinton, Dutchess, Genesee, Hamilton, Putnam, Queens, St. Lawrence, Seneca, Suffolk, Tompkins, Wayne, Westchester, and Wyoming.