Florida State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Collection Time Period
These records are for the year 1885.

Record History
The census was created by the state of Florida with partial funding from the Federal government.

Why This Record Was Created
The census was compiled to obtain a count and description of the population of the state of Florida for representation purposes.

Record Reliability
Use the information with some caution. The information may have been given to a census taker by any member of the family or even by a neighbor. Some information may have been recorded incorrectly, or even deliberately falsified.

Record Description
The record is printed on large sheets with rows and columns that were filled in by hand by the enumerator. The schedules are usually arranged by county, then by political subdivision.

These records do not cover the entire population of Florida because information from four counties, Alachua, Clay, Columbia, and Nassau, is missing.



Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in the 1885 Florida State Census are:


 * Name of each person in the home
 * Relationship to the head of household
 * Race
 * Gender
 * Age
 * Marital status
 * Occupation
 * Health
 * Education
 * Place of birth by state or territory in the U.S. or by country if foreign born
 * Place of birth of mother and father by state or territory in the U.S. or by country if foreign born

How To Use This Record
Use the census to obtain the names and ages of family members, which can be used to calculate birth or marriage dates; the town and county where they lived; those currently living with the family, and any relatives that may have lived nearby. The census may identify persons for whom other records do not exist.

Related Web Sites
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Related Wiki Articles
Florida Census

Sources of This Collection
"Florida State Census, 1885," database, FamilySearch; 2010, from Florida Secretary of State. "Schedules of the Florida State Census of 1885." Digital images of originals housed in the National Archives and Records Administration, District of Columbia. FHL microfilm, 13 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

How to Cite Your Sources
Instructions for citing this source can be found at: Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)