South Dakota State Census, 1905 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This information pertains to censuses taken in the years 1905.

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

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in the South Dakota state census for the year 1905 are:


 * Name
 * Residence
 * Age
 * Birth place
 * Birth place of parents
 * Sex
 * Race
 * Marital status
 * Occupation
 * Years in United States and in South Dakota
 * Able to read and write
 * If blind, deaf, idiotic, or insane

How to Use the Records
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. The census identifies other persons in the household. The census may identify persons for whom other records do not exist.

Record 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.

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.

Related Web Sites
This section of the article is incomplete. You can help FamilySearch Wiki by supplying links to related websites here.

Related Wiki Articles
South Dakota Census

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from the record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find th record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you do not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

The suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched in found in the Wiki Article: How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection
"South Dakota State Census, 1905." index and images, FamilySearch: (https://www.familysearch.org]: accessed 7 April 2011). entry for James S Evans, age 34 citing Census Records, FHL microfilm 2,281,479; South Dakota Historical Society, Pierre, South Dakota.

Sources of Information for This Collection:
"South Dakota State Census, 1905," database, FamilySearch; from South Dakota State Historical Society. "State Census, 1905". South Dakota Historical Society, Pierre, South Dakota. FHL microfilm, 125 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections, including how to cite individual archives is found in the following link: How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections