Argentina, Capital Federal, Census, 1855 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Censo de 1855 de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Record Description
Each of the census registers is separated by a title page, which includes the name of the parish, the name or number of the ward, and the name or number of the block. It is followed by the enumeration sheets containing the following information in columns: Names and surnames of the inhabitants, relationship to the householder, civil status, gender, age, if the person knows how to read and write, place of birth, nationality, the length of time in the country if the person is a foreigner, and occupation or profession.

This census of the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was performed on Wednesday, October 17, 1855.

The census of 1855 for the city of Buenos Aires was conducted under the direction of the then Statistics Department (Mesa de Estadística), which was directed at the time by Justo Maeso. Authorization for the census was given in July 1855 by the then government council member Valentín Alsina. For the purpose of the census, the city of Buenos Aires was divided in twelve parishes: Montserrat, Catedral al Sud, Concepción, San Miguel, Catedral al Norte, San Nicolás, Piedad, Socorro, Balvanera, San Telmo, Barracas al Norte, and Pilar. Each parish was subdivided into barracks and blocks. The 1855 Census of the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, covers about 92,000 inhabitants.

The Buenos Aires census of 1855 was created for demographic and statistical purposes.

The data element listed in the census is of great value when civil or parish records are not available. It will permit the patron to find information unavailable elsewhere, which will help to continue research for an ancestor. The census records should be considered as a secondary source and used only when civil or church records are not available.

For a list of localities currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
The census of 1855 of the city of Buenos Aires includes the following information:




 * Name of the parish
 * Number or name of the barrack
 * Number or name of the block
 * Address, type of home, and how many floors
 * Complete names of individuals
 * Relationship to the householder
 * Civil status, gender, age, literacy (read and write)
 * Place of birth, country of nationality, and if a foreigner, the length of stay in the country
 * Occupation, profession, or employment

Important genealogical information found in the 1855 census of the city of Buenos Aires includes:


 * Locality and address
 * Names and surnames
 * Relationship, civil status, gender, age, and civil status
 * Place of birth
 * Nationality
 * Estimated year of arrival, if a foreigner

How to Use the Records
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

To search the collection using the browse option, you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select the "Nombre de Parroquia" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "Numero de cuartel" category ⇒Select the "Departamento" category which takes you to the images

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Known Issues with This Collection
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Related Websites

 * Argentina Genealogy Links

Related Wiki Articles

 * Argentina
 * Argentina Census

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

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Argentina, Buenos Aires City Census, 1855," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MW3Y-7L7 : accessed 23 April 2012), Franco Garcia; citing Archivo General de la Nación (Argentina), FHL film 1,154,369; Archivo General de la Nación en Buenos Aires.