Massachusetts State Census, 1855 - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Collection Time Period
This census was taken beginning June 1, 1855.

How to Use the Records
Census records are the best source to quickly identify a family group and residence. Use the place of residence and the birthplace for each person along with his or her age to search for other record types. The census identifies other persons in the household. The census may identify persons for whom other records do not exist.

Record Description
The census schedules consisted of large sheets with rows and columns. The schedules were arranged by street in order of visitation. The census schedules are well preserved at the Massachusetts State Archives and they have been microfilmed.

Record Content
Genealogical information in the census:


 * Name
 * Age
 * Birthplace
 * Sex
 * Color
 * Condition
 * Occupation

Record History
In 1855 the legislature directed that a census be taken on June 1 of that year and every 10 years thereafter. The census schedules were delivered to the State Secretary and eventually sent to the State Archives for safe keeping. The census schedules are well preserved at the Massachusetts State Archives and they have been microfilmed.

Why this Record Was Created
The state census of Massachusetts 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.

Related Web Sites
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Related Wiki Articles

 * Massachusetts Census

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections

Please add sample citations to this article following the format guidelines in the wiki article listed above. Examples of citations:


 * United States. Bureau of the Census. 12th census, 1900, digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: September 29, 2006), Arizona Territory, Maricopa, Township 1, East Gila, Salt River Base and Meridian; sheet 9B, line 71
 * Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, Massachusetts. Census page. From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org), April 23, 2010. Thomas Romney, male, 19, residence: Ware, Hampshire, Massachusetts, image number 00181.

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Style Guide
For guidelines to use in creating wiki articles that describe collections of images and indexes produced by FamilySearch, see: FamilySearch Wiki: Guidelines for FamilySearch Collections pages

Sources of Information for This Collection:
"Massachusetts State Census, 1855", database, FamilySearch; from Massachusetts. Secretary of the Commonwealth. "Massachusetts State Census, 1855-1865" Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, Massachusetts. FHL microfilm, 68 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections, including how to cite individual archives is found in the following link: How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections