United States Census Territorial

United States   U.S. Census    Territorial Census

Availability
These censuses are usually incomplete and most are not indexed.

1885-- A special census was made for Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

The Family History Library has copies of most of the territorial censuses. These are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under [STATE] - CENSUS - [YEAR].

Historical Background
Territorial censuses were taken to petition for statehood, apportion the legistature and also for taxation purposes.

The population of territories was often listed by the federal government in anticipation of statehood. These were generally taken in the years between the federal censuses.

Value

 * Supplement information found in the federal censuses
 * Track individuals in the areas before statehood.