Census Records for Indiana
This entry was originally written by Carol L. Maki and Michael John Neill for Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
Contents
Federal
Population Schedules
• Indexed'1820 (Daviess County missing), 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930
• Soundex'1880, 1900, 1920
Industry and Agriculture Schedules
• 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
Mortality Schedules
• 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
All of Indiana's federal census schedules through 1930 are available on microfilm at the Indiana State Library and Allen County Public Library. Many rural families were missed during the enumeration of the 1850 U.S. census in Indiana because of poor weather and impassable trails. However, the agriculture schedule of that year was taken at a different time of the year, and most of the rural residents were included in that enumeration.
In addition to the indexes widely available for every state (see page 3), the Indiana Historical Society has completed a computerized index searchable on every category or variable for the 1860 census. For example, it would be possible, through the historical society's computer printout, to locate by name all the ministers (searching by occupation) born in North Carolina (place of birth). The index is available on microfiche for purchase from the society.
Ancestry.com has digitized images of the entire U.S. Federal Census Schedules 1790-1930 and created searchable indexes for the images. This collection can be accessed at U.S. Federal Census Collection. There is also an index for Clark County, Indiana Census, 1880 searchable at Ancestry.com.
Territorial and State
Census for Indiana Territory for 1807, compiled by Rebah Fraustein, was published by the Indiana Historical Society in 1980. No other state censuses exist, although state enumerations of males (without names) above age twenty-one were taken at various intervals beginning in 1820.
External Links
- Indiana Census Records - free up-to-date guide to accessing Indiana census records. Identifies federal, state, and territorial censuses, as well as substitute records (FamilySearch Research Wiki).