American Indians in the Federal Decennial Census, 1790-1930
Microfilmed Records, Records in ARC, and Additional Resources
Prior to 1900 few Indians are included in the decennial Federal census. Indians are not identified in the 1790-1840 censuses. In 1860, Indians living in the general population are identified for the first time. Nearly all of the 1890 census schedules were destroyed as the result of the fire at the Department of Commerce in 1921.
Beginning with the 1900 census, Indians are enumerated on reservations as well as in the general population. For information on other Bureau of the Census Indian schedules, see American Indians in Bureau of the Census Records, Selected Records Relating to Enumeration of Pueblo Indians, 1790-1939, and Selected Microfilm Pertaining to Eastern Cherokee Enumeration.
Indexes: Usually, it is necessary to consult a name index for a particular federal census to find an Indian ancestor. These indexes are available for nearly all states and territories, and the following should be kept in mind when consulting them:
- If the person is not found under their Indian name, check the anglicized name
- In Soundex indexes, Indian names may be coded one of two ways; for example, Black Hawk may be found under Black (B420) or Hawk (H200).
Microfilm Publication Title | Microfilm Pub ID / Catalog Info | ARC Descriptions |
---|---|---|
1850 Census
Note: This is the first census to list all family members and record information about each person. People are identified as white, black, or mulatto; although in rare instances as Indian. There was no census in Indian Country (most of the mid-West). |
M432: M432A M432B M432C M432D M432E M432F |
View series in ARC |
1860 Census
Note: People were identified as white, black, or mulatto; although in rare instances as Indian (usually in column 6, with the notation "Ind" or "In." There was a census of Indian Territory (Oklahoma), but no Indians are included; it can be found at end of the Arkansas schedules, roll 52. |
M653: M653A M653B M653C M653D M653E M653F M653G M653H |
|
1870 Census
Note: Indians in the general population were identified in column 6, Color, by "I" or "In." Some reservations were identified, but very few, if any, Indians were identified. No census was taken in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). |
M593: M593A M593B M593C M593D M593E M593F M593G M593H M593I |
|
1880 Census
Note: Indians in the general population were identified in column 4, Color, by "I" or "In." Some reservations were identified, but very few, if any, Indians were identified. No census was taken in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). |
T9: T9A T9B T9C T9D T9E T9F T9G T9H |
|
1900 Census
Note: Indians on reservations and in the general population are identified in column 5, Color or Race. A special Indian schedule added additional questions to the general schedule. Special Indian schedules usually are found at the end of the county, but sometimes grouped together on last roll of microfilm for the state. Indians living with non-Indian families outside of reservations were enumerated on general schedule with those families. There was a census of Indian Territory (Oklahoma) taken (See T1082, rolls 1,843-1,854). Twelth Census of the U.S. (1900): Special Inquiries Relating to Indians (Data Collection Sheet) |
T623: T623A T623B T623C T623D T623E T623F T623G T623H T623I T623J |
|
1910 Census
Note: Indians on reservations and in the general population are identified in column 6, Color or Race. Special Indian schedule added additional questions to the general schedule. Special Indian schedules are found in county where Indian was living. Indians living with non-Indian families outside of reservations were enumerated on general schedule with those families. Thirteenth Census of the U.S. (1910): Special Inquiries Relating to Indians (Data Collection Sheet) |
T624: T624A T624B T624C T624D T624E T624F T624G T624H T624I |
|
1920 Census
Note: Indians on reservations and in the general population are identified in column 10, Color or Race, in the county where they were living. There were no special Indian schedules. |
T625: T625A T625B T625C T625D T625E T625F T625G T625H T625I T625J T625K |
|
1930 Census
Note: Indians on reservations and in the general population are identified in column 12, Color or Race, in the county where they were living. The degree of Indian blood is noted in column 19; the tribe is noted in column 20. There were no special Indian schedules. |
T626: T626A T626B T626C T626D T626E T626F T626G T626H T626I T626J T626K T626L T626M T626N |
View series in ARC |
Additional resources on the National Archives web site:
- Online Tutorial for Genealogists and Family Historians: The Dawes Rolls
- About Census Records
- About Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940
- American Indians in Bureau of the Census Records
- Native American Records at the National Archives
PDF files require the free Adobe Reader.
More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.