Kansas State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This is an image only collection of the Kansas state census taken in March 1, 1885. The census enumerated all household members. Kansas became a state in 1861 and later passed a law requiring a state census every ten years to number the population of the various counties in order to determine apportionment of the state legislature. The first state census was taken in 1865 and continued until 1925, as the law was repealed in 1933. The state censuses provide substantially different information than the federal censuses. The enumeration is divided into two schedules.

Generally a reader will see a correlation from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 easily, since each schedule is added to in the same household visit. Generally, also, only the Schedule 1 pages are indexed. Since the 1890 Federal Census was destroyed, this state census, together with the state census of 1895, can substitute for locating ancestors between 1880 and 1900.
 * Schedule 1 enumerates each household and its occupants. Each enumeration requires three pages for tabulating all information, and the enumerations are listed in 32 rows per page. Each entry has 20 columnar details.
 * Schedule 2 enumerates each farm and its agricultural product. Thirty-two enumerations are listed on each page, and each enumeration requires eight pages for tabulating 88 columnar details.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records (Note that each census page spans three pages or two digital images):

Schedule 1 • 2 Schedule 2 • 6

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching the collection it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The residence and names of family members

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the ages listed to determine approximate birth dates and find the family in federal census records
 * Use the information found to find vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
 * Search for church records

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

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle name

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Kansas.
 * Kansas Guided Research
 * Kansas Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Kansas Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * State census of 1885
 * State census of 1895

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.