Iowa State Census, 1905 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains a name index of the Iowa state census taken in 1905. 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
 * County, township and city of residence
 * Mailing address
 * Name
 * Sex
 * Can read and write
 * Color
 * Age
 * Birthplace
 * Birthplace of parents
 * Owner of home or farm, value of property and amount of incumbrance
 * If naturalized
 * Number of years in the US and in Iowa
 * Marital Status
 * Number of months in school and what type of school
 * Number of months unemployed
 * Occupation
 * Details of military service
 * Signature

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching the collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The place where your ancestor lived
 * The names of other relatives

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 additional 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
 * Search for church 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.