Argentina, Capital Federal, Census, 1855 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Record
Censo de 1855 de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Record Description
This collection includes census records for 1855.

Each of the census registers is separated by a title page, which includes the name of the parish, the name or number of the ward, and the name or number of the block. It is followed by the enumeration sheets containing the following information in columns: Names and surnames of the inhabitants, relationship to the householder, civil status, gender, age, if the person knows how to read and write, place of birth, nationality, the length of time in the country if the person is a foreigner, and occupation or profession.

This census of the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was performed on Wednesday, October 17, 1855, under the direction of the then Statistics Department (Mesa de Estadística), which was directed at the time by Justo Maeso. Authorization for the census was given in July 1855 by the government council member Valentín Alsina. This census covers about 92,000 inhabitants.

For the purpose of the census, the city of Buenos Aires was divided into thirteen parishes: Balvanera, Barracas al Norte, Catedral Sud, Catedral del Norte, Cañuelas, La Piedad, Monserrat, Para Campo, Pilar, San Miguel, San Nicolas, San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo and Socorro. Each parish was subdivided into barracks and blocks.

The data element listed in the census is of great value when civil or parish records are not available. It will permit the patron to find information unavailable elsewhere, which will help to continue research for an ancestor. The census records should be considered as a secondary source and used only when civil or church records are not available.

For a list of localities currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Record Content
The census of 1855 of the city of Buenos Aires may include the following information:


 * Name
 * Relationship to head of household
 * Gender
 * Age
 * Marital Status
 * Residence
 * Birthplace
 * Country of birth
 * Literacy
 * Number of years in Argentina

How to Use the Records
To search this collection using the index: Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

To browse this collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select the "Parish" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "Section Number" category which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Known Issues with This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Related Websites

 * Argentina Genealogy Links

Related Wiki Articles

 * Argentina
 * Argentina Census

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
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A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
“Argentina, Buenos Aires, Catholic Church Records, 1635-1981,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 28 February, 2012), La Plata &gt; San Ponciano &gt; Matrimonios 1884-1886 &gt; image 71 of 389 images, Artemio Avendano and Clemtina Peralta, 1884; citing Parroquia de San Ponciano en la Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Matrimonios. San Ponciano, La Plata.