Wisconsin State Census, 1855 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
Wisconsin census were conducted from 1855-1905. This information pertains to censuses taken in the year 1855.

Record Description
Population schedules consisted of large sheets with rows and columns. The schedules are arranged by county, then by political subdivision. The arrangement of families on a schedule is normally in the order in which the enumerator visited the households.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in Wisconsin state censuses for the year 1855:


 * Name of the head of the family
 * Number of individuals in the household by sex and race
 * Number of deaf and dumb, blind, insane, and foreign born

How To Use The Record
State census records are a good source to identify residence. Use this information to search for other record types. The census may identify persons for whom other records do not exist.

Record History
In 1855 the state legislature directed that a census be taken in June of that year and every 10 years thereafter. However, no census was taken in 1865. The completed forms were sent to the Secretary of State. The census covers approximately 90% of the population.

Why This Record Was Created
The state census of Wisconsin 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.

Related Web Sites
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Related Wiki Articles
Wisconsin Census

Sources of This Collection
"Wisconsin 1855 State Census," database, FamilySearch; (http://familysearch.org), from Wisconsin Department of State. Digital images of originals housed in the Wisconsin State Historical Society at Madison. FHL microfilm, 4 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from the record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find th record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you do not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

The suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched in found in the Wiki Article: How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections

Examples of Sourch Citations for a Record in This Collection

 * United States. Bureau of Census. 12th census, 1900, digital images, From Family Searc Internet (www.familysearch.org: Setpemper 29.2006), Arizona Territory, Maricopa, Township 1, East Gila, Salt River Base and Meridian; sheet 9B,line 71.
 * Mexico, Districto Federal, Catholic Church Records 1886-1933, digital imagbes, from FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: April 22, 2010), Baptism of Adolfo Femandez Jimenez, 1 Feb, 1910, San Pedro Apostol, Cuahimalpa, Districto Federal, Mexico Film number 0227023