American Indians in the Federal Decennial Census, 1790-1930

Microfilmed Records, Records in the National Archives Catalog, 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).

Additional resources on the National Archives web site: