Minnesota Census Records 6

Minnesota Census Notes

Although by 1820, there were settlers in what we call Minnesota, the actual census records are scarce for people who were living in this area of the Northwest Territory during this early time period. Some of these early Minnesotans are found in the 1820 census of Michigan Territory.  In 1830 & 1840, some people living in this part of the Northwest Territory, were enumerated by Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa census takers. If you find yourself at a dead-end, it is recommended that you check 1830 & 1840 census records for MI, WI and IA. In particular, you should check St. Croix County, WI and Clayton County, IA as many Minnesota folk were enumerated in those areas.  The first official Minnesota census enumerated by the U.S. Government, is the 1849 Minnesota Territorial Census.

Federal Minnesota Census records begin with the 1850 Territorial Census.  An 1857 Territorial Census was enumerated just prior to statehood.  Federal censuses for Minnesota began with the 1850 Territorial census and were conducted every 10 years thereafter and are available to the public for census years: 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. See 1849-1905 Minnesota Territorial & State Censuses at Ancestry & 1790-1940 US Census Records at Ancestry.

The 1890 Minnesota Federal Census Records were destroyed by a 1921 warehouse fire with the exception of Rockford Precinct of Wright County. The 1890 Veterans and Widows census schedules survived the fire and may be used as a census substitute. See 1890 Federal Census Fragments at Ancestry.

Soundex code (phonetic indexes) for Minnesota Federal census records are available on microfilm for census years: 1880, 1900 and 1920.

Minnesota State Census Records survived for years 1853, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895 and 1905. The 1853 MN census contains limited information and is very incomplete BUT if you are lucky, your Minnesota ancestors were enumerated AND every member of the household listed.  Your odds are slim but definitely worth a look if you have ancestors in Minnesota in 1853. 1865-1905 Minnesota state census records are a gem as they have some extra information.  In 1865, Soldiers in service on June 1, 1865 are included. In 1875, enumerators asked for the birthplaces of father and mother and 1895-1905 MN state censuses asked how long they had lived in the state and district. See 1849-1905 Minnesota Territorial & State Censuses at Ancestry.

Minnesota Census Records

Questions In The Census

Learn what questions were asked in each census year and where to find census records online.  This section of Census Finder covers each census year from 1790-1940 and will give you clues and tips to help you learn to locate your ancestors quickly in census records.

Minnesota Records

On CD ROM

SK Publications - Minnesota

Family Tree Maker Software

Minnesota Census Records &

1880 Minnesota State Gazetteer & Business Directory, Vol. 2

1835-1890 Minnesota Census

1849-1905 Minnesota Censuses

1850 US Census Search

1890 Census -Veterans Schedules

1900 Census Online 

Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, Vol. 14, Part 2 (1912)

Minnesota Genealogy Data at World Vital Records

Minnesota Statewide Databases

Connect!    Join hands with other researchers and locate new cousins with these tools.

Family History Query Boards

GenForum Surname Boards

Minnesota Genealogy Forum

National Phone Directories

RootsWeb Minnesota Mailing Lists

Surname Community Search

Minnesota Genealogy Links

Minnesota Family History Centers

Minnesota Genealogy

Minnesota Genealogy Societies

Minnesota History Museums

Minnesota Native Americans

Minnesota Naturalization Records Database

Minnesota USGenWeb Census Project

Minnesota USGenWeb County Pages

State Archives Links

Minnesota History Books

1918 History of Clay and Norman Counties

at World Vital Records:

1882 History of the Minnesota Valleya

1887 Concise History of the State of Minnesota

1895 History of the Welsh in Minnesota

US Census Records

 1790-1940 Census Search

 1850 Census Records Search

 1920 Census Records Search

 Search the 1930 Census!

 1940 Census Records Search

 Census Search at RootsWeb

 Mortality Schedules Free Search

FREE Genealogy Tools

 Blank Census Forms 1790-1940

 Family Group Sheets

 Pedigree Charts

 Free Genealogy Forms

 Freebies For Genealogists

 Mortality Schedule Indexes