Iowa State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index to the Iowa state census taken in 1885. The population schedule names every person in the household.

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

Census
 * Name
 * Place and date of event
 * Approximate Age
 * Gender                                                                                                                                                             *Martial status                                                                                                                                                    *Occupation of individual
 * Parentage (if native or foreign) of father and mother
 * Whether subject to military duty
 * Whether entitled to vote
 * If an alien whether or not have taken out naturalization papers
 * Whether literate or not
 * Any disabilities

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the person
 * The name of other relatives
 * The county where the family lived

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select  the County
 * 2) Select the  Locality to view the images

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 ages listed to determine approximate birth dates and find the family in census records
 * Use the information found in the record 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

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 names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Iowa.
 * Iowa Guided Research
 * Iowa Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

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.


 * Collection Citation:"Iowa State Census, 1885." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Citing Secretary of State. State Historical Society, Des Moines.

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