Wisconsin Census

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Microfilm images
Two manuscripts exist for the 1850, 1860, and 1870 censuses. One set of manuscripts exists at the National Archives and another at the Wisconsin Historical Society. The information on each set is supposed to be the same, but it can be beneficial to check both. Transcription errors might exist. The two might differ in the legibility of the handwriting, the condition of the manuscript, and the quality of the microfilm. The Family History Library has microfilms of the set in the possession of the National Archives.

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 * + Federal Census Microfilms Available from the National Archives

Indexes: fiche, film, or book
For a list of microform and book indexes for the non-population schedules of Wisconsin, click here.

State, territorial, and colonial censuses
Newberry Library. Territorial, State, and Federal Censuses in Michigan. List of dates and census description including counties involved, and repository.


 * 1905 Wisconsin State Census Wisconsin Census Enumeration 1905 : Names of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors Residing in Wisconsin, June 1, 1905. A published document based on information from the census schedules.
 * 1895 Wisconsin State Census for microfilm see Family History Library films 1032705–716.
 * Wisconsin Census Enumeration 1895: Names of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors Residing in Wisconsin, June 20, 1895. A published document based on information from the census schedules.
 * 1885 Wisconsin State Census For microfilm see Family History Library films 1032695–704.
 * Alphabetical List of the Soldiers and Sailors of the Late War Residing in the State June 20, 1885. A published document based on information from the census schedules.
 * 1855 Wisconsin State Census Index - Family History Library book 977.5 X22w 1855
 * 1842 Wisconsin Territorial Census Index - Family History Library book 977.5 X22j 1842
 * 1838 Wisconsin Territorial Census Index - Family History Library book 977.5 X22j 1838
 * 1836 Wisconsin Territorial Census Collections of the Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume XIII. A transcription of the census.


 * Index - Family History Library book 977.5 X2 1836a

The existing records of Wisconsin Territorial and state censuses are available at the Wisconsin Historical Society, and microfilm copies of most of them are at the Family History Library.

Existing and lost censuses
For a list of available and missing Wisconsin censuses, click here.

Why use a census?
A well-indexed census is one of the easiest ways to locate where an ancestor's family lived and when they lived there. You can also use censuses to follow the changes in a family over time, and identify neighbors. These and other clues provided by censuses are important because they help find additional kinds of records about the family.

More about censuses
Click here for additional details about how to use censuses, such as:


 * index searching tips
 * analyzing and using what you find
 * census accuracy
 * historical background
 * contents of various census years and types