North Dakota Census

Additional Information may be found on the United States Census Portal page.

Availability
Federal census records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives as well as online. U.S. federal censuses for the state of North Dakota are available for 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930. The 1890 census has been destroyed but the 1890 union veterans schedule and index are available.

Historical Background
North Dakota became a state in 1889. Present-day North Dakota was included in the 1836 Wisconsin, the 1840 Iowa, the 1850 Minnesota, and the 1860, 1870, and 1880 Dakota Territorial censuses.

Indexes
Indexes to the censuses of the Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Dakota Territories have been published in book and microfiche format for 1836, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880. A statewide soundex (phonetic) index is on microfilm for the 1880,1900, and 1920 censuses. Indexes to state and federal censuses for many years might also be found online at the websites listed below.

Mortality Schedules
Mortality schedules, which are lists of the people who died in the year before the census was taken, for the Dakota Territory exist for 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1885.

Agricultural Schedules
An Agricultural Schedule was made in 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 and 1885 census. These provide information about


 * Name of the owner, agent, or manager
 * Number of acres and cash value of the farm
 * Crops and other items produced
 * Number and value of livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, and swine)

The Agricultural Schedules are available at the National Archives. The 1885 Agricultural Schedules for Dakota Territory are available at the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

1890 Veterans Schedules
When the 1890 census was taken, schedules were made of Union Civil War veterans or their widows. Information includes:


 * Name
 * Rank, company, name of regiment or vessel
 * Date of enlistment, date of discharge, length of service
 * Post office address
 * Disability incurred
 * Remarks

North Dakota veterans schedules are available on microfilm at the National Archives and the Family History Library (Film 338218) as well as online (see "Web Sites" below).

Tribal Censuses
See Indians of North Dakota for information on tribal census reports.

State Censuses
North Dakota state censuses were taken in 1885 (as Dakota Territory) 1915, and 1925. These are available on micorfilm at the Family History Library.

Territorial Censuses
North Dakota was included in the 1836 Wisconsin, the 1840 Iowa, the 1850 Minnesota, and the 1860, 1870, and 1880 Dakota Territorial censuses.

Web Sites
Ancestry: http://www.ancestry.com

Heritage Quest Online: http://www.heritagequestonline.com

Census Online: http://www.census-online.com/links/ND/

Genealogy Today: http://dir.genealogytoday.com/usa/nd/census.html

Access Genealogy: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/census/northdakota.htm

Bibliographic Citations
Dollarhide, William. ''The Census Book: A Genealogist's Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes; With Master Extraction Forms for Federal Census Schedules, 1790-1930. ''Bountiful, Utah: Heritage Quest, 1999. North Dakota Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1998, 2001.

''State Census Register: State &amp; County Censuses Located at the Family History Library. ''Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, 2005.