South Dakota, State Census, 1915 - FamilySearch Historical Records

This wiki article describes a collection that is available for free online at FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site. To access the collection, see[South Dakota State Census, 1915]



Collection Time Period
This information pertains to the census taken in the year 1915.

Collection History
In 1885 the state legislature directed that a census be taken in June of that year and every 10 years thereafter. The last state census was conducted in 1945. The completed forms were sent to the Secretary of State. The census covers approximately 90% of the population.

Why This Collection Was Created
The state census was taken in order to enumerate the population for representation purposes.

Collection Reliability
Censuses are usually reliable, depending on the knowledge of the informant and the care of the census enumerator. Information may have been given to a census taker by any member of the family or by a neighbor. Some information may have been incorrect or deliberately falsified.

Collection Description
Population schedules are handwritten entries on preprinted cards. The cards are arranged alphabetically by surname.

Collection Content
Key genealogical facts found in the South Dakota state census for the year 1915 are:


 * Name
 * Residence
 * Age
 * Birth place and ancestry
 * Birth place of parents
 * Sex
 * Race
 * Marital status
 * Occupation
 * Years in United States and in South Dakota and if naturalized
 * Able to read and write
 * If blind, deaf, idiotic, or insane
 * Extent of education
 * Military service with state, regiment and company
 * Maiden name of wife
 * Church affiliation

How To Use The Collection
Census records are the best source to quickly identify a family group and residence. Use the place of residence and the birthplace for each person along with his or her age to search for other record types. Also use military service and church affiliation to search church and military records for additional information. The census identifies other persons in the household. The census may identify persons for whom other records do not exist.

Bibliographic Information
South Dakota. 1915 state census, population schedule. South Dakota State Historical Society, Pierre, South Dakota.

Related Articles
South Dakota Census