South Dakota, State Census, 1915 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index to the census of South Dakota taken by that state in 1915. This 1915 South Dakota State Census is an every-name list of the state's inhabitants as of 1915. The records are handwritten on printed cards and are arranged alphabetically by surname. People enumerated in the census are recorded individually; the census records do not show individuals in family groups. The census was filmed at the South Dakota State Historical Society.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Name
 * Residence (county and post office)
 * Age
 * Birth year
 * Birthplace and ancestry
 * Birthplace of parents


 * Gender
 * Race
 * Marital status
 * Number of years in South Dakota
 * Citizenship
 * Religion


 * Occupation
 * Education
 * Literate or illiterate
 * If blind, deaf, idiotic, or insane
 * Military service
 * Maiden name of wife

Collection Content
In 1885 the South Dakota State Legislature mandated that a census be taken in June of that year and every 10 years thereafter. The last census was taken in 1945. The completed cards were then sent to the Secretary of State. The census covers approximately 90% of the population.

The state census was taken in order to enumerate the population for representation purposes. Censuses are generally 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 therefore be incorrect.

For more information on how to use United States Federal census records, see United States, How to Use Census Records.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate age of your ancestor
 * The place where your ancestor lived
 * The 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?

 * Use the age listed to determine an approximate birth date. This date along with the place of birth can help you find a birth record. Birth records often list biographical and marital details about the parents and close relatives other than the immediate family
 * Use the race information to find records related to that ethnicity such as records of the Freedman’s Bureau or Indian censuses
 * Use the naturalization information to find their naturalization papers in the county court records. It can also help you locate immigration records such as a passenger list which would usually be kept records at the port of entry into the United States
 * Birthplaces can tell you former residences and can help to establish a migration pattern for the family
 * If they are subject to military service they may have military files in the State or National Archives
 * Occupations listed can lead you to employment records or other types of records such as school records; children’s occupations are often listed as “at school”
 * A religious preference may lead you to helpful church records

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

 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of South Dakota.
 * South Dakota Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

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.