United States Special Inquiries Relating to Indians

(Not to be confused with American Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940.) As part of the Twelfth (1900) and Thirteenth (1910) United States Federal Censuses a population schedule was created titled "Special Inquiries Relating to Indians." These schedules are commonly referred to as the Indian Population Schedules. The information was recorded at the same time as the regular federal population schedules. The schedules contain the same questions asked in the regular population schedule and additional questions for Native American households. The schedule was divided into two parts. The top half of the page was identical to the general population schedule but contained only twenty lines, instead of the usual fifty. The bottom half of the page contains "Special Inquiries Relating to Indians" questions for the persons enumerated on the top half of the page.

The census takers were instructed to make an enumeration of Indians living on and off reservations. If an Indian on the reservation had intermarried with a white or "Negro" person that person was also recorded on the Special Inquiries form. An Indian household outside of a reservation was recorded on the Special Inquiries form and an Indian living outside of the reservation in a white or "Negro" household was recorded on the general population schedule as part of that household.

Availability
The 1900 and 1910 Special Inquiries Relating to Indians or Indian Population Schedules are digitized and available on these websites: FamilySearch Ancestry

The 1900 United States Federal Census "Special Inquiries Relating to Indians"
The 1900 Special Inquiries Relating to Indians asked the following questions of Indians "both those on reservations and those living in family groups outside of reservations." Other Name, If Any Tribe of this Indian Tribe of Father of this Indian Tribe of Mother of this Indian Has this Indian any white blood: if so, How much? (0, 1/2, 1/4, etc.) Is this Indian, if married, living in polygamy? Is this Indian taxed? Year of acquiring citizenship Was citizenship acquired by allotment? Is this Indian living in a fixed or in a movable dwelling?

For a copy of the worksheet form for the 1900 Twelfth Census of the United States Special Inquiries Relating to Indians and the instructions to the census takers click here

The 1910 United States Federal Census "Special Inquiries Relating to Indians"
The 1910 Special Inquiries Relating to Indians asked the following questions of Indians "both those on reservations and those living in family groups outside of reservations. Tribe of this Indian Tribe of Father of this Indian Tribe of Mother of this Indian Proportion of Indian and Other Blood
 * Indian
 * White
 * Negro

Number of times married Whether now living in polygamy If living in polygamy, whether the wives are sisters Graduated From What Educational Institution Is this Indian taxed? If Indian has received allotment, give year of allotment Residing on his own lands Living in civilized or aboriginal dwelling

For a copy of the worksheet form for the 1910 Thirteenth Census of the United States Special Inquiries Relating to Indians and the instructions to the census takers click here

Websites

 * Ancestry: http://www.ancestry.com
 * Ancestry in a Family History Center