Argentina, National Census, 1869 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Date Range
The First Census of Argentina was performed on September 15, 16, and 17 of the year 1869.

Population Coverage
The 1869 National Census of Argentina covers about 1,877,490 inhabitants.

Collection Description
The census enumerations were recorded in registers with legal size papers in landscape orientation. Each book (libreto) is separated by a title page, which includes the name of the province, the section, and the type of population it covers. It is followed by the enumeration sheets containing surname and names of the inhabitants, age, gender, and civil status, nationality, place of birth, occupation, literacy, and special conditions. At the end of each book (libretto) is a global summary page of the register.

Collection History
The First National Census of the Argentine Republic was executed in the whole country simultaneously in three days in the month of September 1869, under the presidency of the nation’s then president Mr. Domingo F. Sarmiento. The country was divided in five areas: North, South, East, West, and the National Territories. Each area was divided into provinces and these in sections or districts (partidos); in some cases the barracks are mentioned. The city of Buenos Aires was divided in police sections (secciones de policía). The census enumeration registers were preserved well.

Why this collection was created?
The census of 1869 was created for demographic and statistical purposes in relation to the growth of the nation. Patrons can get genealogical data, unavailable in other resources, for their ancestors living in Argentina in the year 1869.

Collection Content
The census of 1869 includes the following information:


 * Name of the province
 * Name of the section or district
 * Type of population
 * Last name and given name
 * Age, gender, and civil status
 * Nationality and place of birth
 * Occupation
 * Literacy (read and write)
 * Special conditions

Important genealogical information found in the 1869 census records include:


 * Place-name
 * Names of inhabitants by place
 * Age, gender, and civil status at the time of the enumeration
 * The inhabitant’s nationality
 * Province of birth if Argentine
 * Type of occupation, profession, or means of life
 * Statistics summary of the special conditions, such as legitimacy, race, disabilities, students, and others

Collection Reliability
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.

= See Also   =

Finding Records of Your Ancestors, Argentina

Argentina 1869 Census.pdf