Wisconsin, State Census, 1905 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
Wisconsin census were conducted from 1855-1905. This information pertains to censuses taken in the year 1905.The state census of Wisconsin was taken in order to enumerate the population for representation purposes.

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

Census
 * Town and county in which census was taken
 * Name of each person in family
 * Relationship to head of household
 * Age, gender and birth place
 * Parents' names and their birthplace
 * Race, and marital status of each person
 * Occupation
 * Home owner or renter
 * Whether living on a farm or in a house

How Do I Search This Collection?
You can search the index or view the images or both. To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The name of a relative or place of residence

Search the Index
Search by name by visiting the Collection Page.
 * 1) Fill in the search boxes on the Collection Page with the information you have
 * 2) Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page.
 * 1) Select County
 * 2) Select Locality to view the images

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 age listed to determine an approximate birth date to find other records such as birth, christening, marriage, and death records
 * Use birthplaces to research immigration records
 * Property information could be a clue in finding land, court and probate records
 * Occupations listed can lead you to other types of records such as employment or school records; children’s occupations are often listed as “at school”
 * Use the information to find more family members in additional censuses
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family

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

 * Try viewing the original record. Indexes and transcriptions may not include all of the data found in the original records. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality in an area search
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name, especially French versions
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Record Finder

 * Consult the Wisconsin Research Tips and Strategies and its Record Finder to search other records

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.


 * Collection Citation:"Wisconsin State Census, 1905." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Citing Department of State. State Historical Society, Madison.

Top of Page