Contents of the New York State Census

Author

It is well known that the New York State censuses often contain data not found in the Federal census schedules or not found in the Federal census until many years later. Following is some of the information in the State schedules that researchers may find useful, other than the usual names, ages, etc. Remember that prior to 1855 these censuses only show heads of household with statistics, not the name of every individual.

Population Schedules

  • Births and Birthplaces

    • Number of births in household within the year 1825, 35, 45
    • Number in household born in N.Y., New England, other states, certain countries 1845
    • County of birth within N.Y. State 1855, 65, 75

  • Marriages

    • Number in household within year 1825, 35, 45
    • How many times married 1865

  • Deaths

    • Number in household within year 1825, 35, 45

  • Relationship to head of family: 1855, 65, 75, 1905, 15, 25

  • Parent of how many children: 1865

  • Citizenship

    • Number in household eligible to vote 1825, 35, 45
    • Number of male aliens in household 1825, 35, 45
    • Native, naturalized or alien 1855, 65, 75
    • Citizen or alien 1892, 1905, 15, 25
    • Number of years in U.S. 1905, 15, 25
    • Place and year of naturalization 1925

  • Education

    • Can read or write 1855, 65, 75, 92, 1905, 15, 25
    • Attended school within year, by type of school 1845

  • Employment, usual place of: 1865, 75

  • Military service

    • Number of males subject to militia duty 1825, 35, 45

  • Paupers: 1825, 35, 45

  • Physical or mental handicap: 1855, 65, 75

  • Residence

    • Owner of land 1855, 65, 75
    • Value and type of construction 1855, 65, 75
    • Years resident in town or city 1855
    • Usual place of abode for institutional inmates and when admitted 1905, 15, 25

Special Schedules

  • Marriages

    • Without names 1855
    • With names 1865, 75

  • Deaths

    • Without names 1855
    • With names 1865, 75
    • In military 1865

  • Officers and enlisted men serving since 1861: 1865

  • Agriculture: 1825, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75

  • Industry: 1825, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75

  • Miscellaneous data about each district, including places of public worship, newspapers, etc.: 1855, 65, 75
     

by Laura LeBarron, Former Assistant Librarian

Originally published in The NYG&B Newsletter, Summer 1997

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