CENSUS RECORDS

Federal censuses for the state of Kansas began in 1860, continuing every ten years thereafter. They are currently available through 1920 (excepting the mostly destroyed 1890 census). All are indexed in at least one format. The "census enumerations" which were completed between 1855–59, inclusive, are actually voter's lists serving as a census substitute. The researcher must note that some voters boycotted elections, making the lists by no means complete.

The 1860 Kansas territorial census was taken as part of the federal census, and two copies exist. The original copy was sent to Washington, D.C., with a transcription retained by the state. Both copies have been indexed and are available for research at the Kansas State Historical Society, making it possible to check inconsistencies between the two returns. A county census was also completed at the time of application for county organization. Many of these are extant, and some are housed at the Kansas State Historical Society.

Kansas completed state censuses in 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, and 1925. They have been microfilmed, are available for research, and have been partly indexed by the Kansas State Historical Society. A list of those indexed is available from the society. They are also available at the FHL.

Kansas Research Sources

Rydjord, John. Kansas Place Names. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1972.

Socolofsky, Homer E., and Huber Self. Historical Atlas of Kansas. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1972.

Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society. 17 vols. Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society, 1881–1928.

Archives, Libraries and Societies

Kansas Center for Historical Research
6425 SW 6th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66615
Tel: 913-272-8681 ext. 117
Fax: 913-272-8682

Kansas Genealogical Society, Inc.
Village Square Mall, Lower Level
2601 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 103
Dodge City, KS 67801
Tel: 316-225-1951
http://www.dodgecity.net/kgs/

Kansas Heritage Center
1000 2nd Avenue
P.O. Box 1207
Dodge City, KS 67801-1207
Tel: 316-227-1616
Email: info@ksheritage.org
http://ksheritage.org/

Kansas State Historical Society/Library & Archives
The Kansas History Center
6425 SW Sixth Street
Topeka, KS 66615-1099
Tel: 913-272-8681
Email: webmaster@hspo.wpo.state.ks.us

Kansas State Library
Statehouse, 3rd Floor
Topeka, KS 66612
Tel: 913-296-3296
    800-432-3919 (in Kansas)
Fax: 913-296-6650
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/KSL/

Kansas GenWeb Project
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/genweb/index.html