Nebraska State Census, 1885 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The Nebraska State Census, 1885 collection consists of a name index for the population schedules listing the inhabitants of the state of Nebraska and images for the population, mortality, manufactures and agriculture schedules. The 1885 census was taken at the request of the United States Federal Government and with their assistance. Nebraska was one of five states (or territories) who participated. The records are handwritten on pre-printed pages with rows and columns. The schedule format is similar to the 1880 federal census. The census includes all of the counties that existed at the time, with the exceptions of Blaine and Chase County.

The collection was taken from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) microfilm number M352, Schedules of the Nebraska State Census of 1885, which is part of Record Group 29 Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007. The microfilm pamphlet is available for download from the National Archives Microfilm Resources for Research: A Comprehensive Catalog.

General Information about the 1885 Census
In March of 1879, Congress passed an act authorizing the tenth and following censuses. In addition to the regular censuses taken every ten years, this act also made authorized a census to be taken in the middle of the decade. On 1 June 1885, a special federal census of Nebraska was taken following the guidelines outlined in the March 1879 census act. The 1885 census included four general schedules: population, agriculture, manufactures, and mortality. These schedules are organized alphabetically by county and then by the number assigned to each type of schedule. Within each type of schedule, the records are arranged by enumeration district. The 1885 population schedule resembles a typical census schedule and can provide valuable information that can be used to fill the gap caused by the loss of the 1890 federal census in the 1921 Department of Commerce fire.

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

Census • 2

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 birth place of your ancestor
 * The names of other family members and their relationships

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
 * Search for vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Search for the family in federal census records
 * Use the information found from the different types of schedules to look for land and probate records
 * Search for church records

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

 * Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
 * 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
 * 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 Nebraska.
 * Nebraska Guided Research
 * Nebraska Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Nebraska Research, 1880-Present

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Schedules of the Nebraska state census of 1885, NARA publication M352
 * Ruby Coleman ; indexed by North Platte Genealogical Society. Nebraska mortality schedules abstracted from the 1885 Nebraska census.2 volumes. Lincoln, Nebraska : Nebraska State Genealogical Society, 2001

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.