Alabama State Census, 1855 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This is an index to the census taken in Alabama in 1855. The State of Alabama conducted state censuses in the following years: 1818 (partial), 1820 (partial), 1821 (partial), 1823, 1850, 1855, 1866, and 1907. The information is generally reliable. However, use the information with some caution, since the 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. The census was compiled to obtain a count of the population of the state to determine how many representatives the state would send to Congress.The counties included in this collection are:

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Census
 * Names of individuals or heads of families
 * Number of white males under 21 in the family
 * Number of white males over 21 in the family
 * Number of white females under 21 in the family
 * Number of white females over 21 in the family
 * Total whites in the family
 * Insane within each county
 * Insane sent abroad
 * Slaves
 * Free persons of color
 * Total inhabitants

Index
 * Names of individuals or heads of families
 * Residence
 * Film number
 * Digital folder number
 * Page number
 * Image number

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The date of the event or the name of a parent or spouse

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the information to find additional family members in federal census records
 * Use the ages listed to determine an approximate birth date and to find other records such as birth, marriage, christening, and death records
 * Birth places can tell you former residences and can help to establish a migration pattern for the family
 * If they are subject to military service they may have military files in the State or National Archives
 * Occupations listed can lead you to employment records or other types of records such as school records

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Alabama.
 * Alabama Guided Research
 * Alabama Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.