Wisconsin State Census, 1855 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
Wisconsin census were conducted from 1855-1905. This information pertains to censuses taken in the year 1855.

Record History
In 1855 the state legislature directed that a census be taken in June of that year and every 10 years thereafter. However, no census was taken in 1865. The completed forms were sent to the Secretary of State. The census covers approximately 90% of the population.

Why This Record Was Created
The state census of Wisconsin was taken in order to enumerate the population for representation purposes

Record 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.

Record Description
Population schedules consisted of large sheets with rows and columns. The schedules are arranged by county, then by political subdivision. The arrangement of families on a schedule is normally in the order in which the enumerator visited the households.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in Wisconsin state censuses for the year 1855:


 * Name of the head of the family
 * Number of individuals in the household by sex and race
 * Number of deaf and dumb, blind, insane, and foreign born

How To Use The Record
State census records are a good source to identify residence. Use this information to search for other record types. The census may identify persons for whom other records do not exist.

Related Websites
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Related Wiki Articles
Wisconsin Census

Sources of This Collection

 * Wisconsin. 1855 State Census.  Digital images of originals housed in the Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin.

How To Cite Your Sources
''An example of citing these records is: Wisconsin. Department of State. Wisconsin State Census, 1855. Census page. From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org), April 23, 2010. Otto Smith, Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, image number 00023.''

Instructions for citing this source can be found at: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections