CENSUS RECORDS

The first federal census for North Dakota was 1870, as the Dakota Territory. They were taken every ten years thereafter, and are currently available through 1920 (excepting the mostly destroyed 1890 census). Enumerations as early as 1836 exist, though they are found included with the 1836 Iowa Territory census. North Dakota State Archives and Historical Research Library of the State Historical Society of North Dakota holds microfilmed copies of 1850 Pembina County Minnesota, which included the Dakota Territory, and the censuses for 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, and 1910 of Dakota Territory. Dakota Territory agriculture schedules for 1870 and 1880 are on microfilm at the South Dakota State Historical Society.
There is also an 1857 census for Pembina County, then part of Minnesota Territory, which is located at the State Archives and Historical Research Library. Part of the special, pre-statehood, federal 1885 census is available in print. Only part of the indexing has been completed by Accelerated Indexing Systems. This schedule included a special veterans and mortality return. This and the unindexed 1915 and 1925 state censuses are available on microfilm at the State Archives and Historical Research Library and through interlibrary loan.

North Dakota Research Sources

Wick, Douglas A. North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck: Hedemarken Collectibles, 1988.
Hennesey, W. B. Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota. Chicago: George A. Ogle & Co., 1900.
Hennesey, W. B. History of North Dakota. Bismarck: Bismarck Tribune, 1910.
Collections of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. 7 vols. Bismarck: North Dakota Historical Society, 1906–25. (Vol. 4 [1913] contains a transcription of the 1885 census for some counties.)

Archives, Libraries and Societies
State Archives and Historical Research Library
State Historical Society of North Dakota
North Dakota Heritage Center
612 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0830

North Dakota State Library
Liberty Memorial Building
Capitol Grounds
Bismark, ND 58505

Red River Valley Genealogical Society/Library
Manchester Building, Suite L-116
112 N. University Drive
P.O. Box 9284
Fargo, ND 58106