Massachusetts State Census, 1865 - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Collection Time Period
This information pertains to records created in 1865.

Record History
In 1855 the legislature directed that a census be taken on June 1 of that year and every 10 years thereafter. The 1865 census was conducted on May 1. The census schedules were delivered to the State Secretary and eventually sent to the State Archives for safe keeping. These records cover more than 95% of the Massachusetts population.

Why This Record was Created
The state census of Massachusetts 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.

Record Description
The census schedules consisted of large sheets with rows and columns. The schedules were arranged by street in order of visitation.

Record Content
Genealogical information in the census:


 * Name
 * Age
 * Birthplace
 * Sex
 * Color
 * Condition (Marital status, 1865 only)
 * Occupation

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

In the Record Search index for this collection, "household id" represents column two on the original census, which is labeled "Families numbered in the order of visitation".

Related Web Sites
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Related Wiki Articles
Massachusetts Census

Source of This Collection
"Massachusetts State Census, 1865", database, Family Search; from Massachusetts. Secretary of the Commonwealth. "Massachusetts State Census, 1855-1865" Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, Massachusetts. FHL microfilm, 68 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citations for an image or index published in FamilySearch Collections
An example of citing these records is: Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, Massachusetts. Census page. From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org), April 23, 2010. Catherine Romney, female, 35, residence: Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, image number 00272.

Instructions for citing this source can be found at: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections