South Dakota, State Census, 1915 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This information pertains to the census taken in the year 1915.

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 1915 are:


 * Name
 * Residence
 * Age
 * Birth place and ancestry
 * Birth place of parents
 * Sex
 * Race
 * Marital status
 * Occupation
 * Years in United States and in South Dakota and if naturalized
 * Able to read and write
 * If blind, deaf, idiotic, or insane
 * Extent of education
 * Military service with state, regiment and company
 * Maiden name of wife
 * Church affiliation

How To Use The Record
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. Also use military service and church affiliation to search church and military records for additional information. 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 Record 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
South Dakota State Census

South Dakota Census Online

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

South Dakota 1905 State Census Records

South Dakota 1915 State Census Records

South Dakota 1925 State Census Records

How to Cite Your Sources
An example of citing these records is: South Dakota. Assessor. South Dakota State Census, 1915. Census page. From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org), April 23, 2010. Wilbur Smith, birth year 1890, religion Lutheran, image number 02486.

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

A suggested format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections, including how to cite individual archives is found in the following link: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections

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, 1915." index and images, FamilySearch ([https://www.familysearch.org): accessed 7 April 2011. entry for Walter North, age 32; citing Census Records, FHL microfilm 2,283,715; South Dakota Historical Society, Pierre, South Dakota.

Sources of This Collection
"South Dakota State Census, 1915," database, FamilySearch; from South Dakota Assessor. "State Census, 1915." South Dakota Historical Society, Pierre, South Dakota. FHL microfilm, 182 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.