Statewide New York Census records that exist are 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940.
There are Industry and Agriculture Schedules 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. The Union Veterans Schedules exist for 1890.
Missing New York Censuses
New York census records that are missing include the following:
- 1810 census is missing for Cortland County and part of Broome County
- 1860 census for Chenango County and Columbia County is damaged
- 1880 census for Suffolk County and New York City Wards 21 and 22 are damaged
- pre-1825 state censuses and state copies of those for 1855 to 1905 were destroyed in the state library fire in 1911
New York State Censuses
The New York State Population Census was conducted for the following years: 1808, 1814 and 1822, not all counties completed the census.
New York began taking formal state censuses in 1825 both to determine representation in state government and to produce statistics the government might find useful.
The state took a census every ten years in 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, another in 1892, and then every ten years again in 1905, 1915, and 1925.
The original records for the State’s pre-1915 census are kept at the county level. You may contact the county clerk’s office to find out their availability and location.
Original manuscripts of the 1915 and 1925 census records are maintained by the State Archives. The 1865 and 1875 New York State Census also includes mortality schedules in the census which records the marriages and deaths for the year.
State censuses like these are useful because they fall in between federal census years and provide an interim look at a population.
1855 New York State Census
The 1855 New York State Census database contains an index and images of the 1855 New York state census records the following details:
- state, county, and town, township, or city (and ward and district in cities)
- material of which dwelling is built and value
- name
- age, sex, and color (black or mulatto)
- relation to head of family (something not found on federal censuses until 1880)
- county, state, or country of birth
- marital status
- how long a resident in the city or town
- occupation
- whether native or naturalized voters, alien, or colored not taxed
- literacy for those over 21
- whether owner of land
- whether deaf, dumb, or blind
Records are available for all counties that existed at the time except the following: Clinton, Dutchess, Genesee, Hamilton, Putnam, Queens, St. Lawrence, Seneca, Suffolk, Tompkins, Westchester, and Wyoming Counties.
1892 New York State Census
The 1892 New York State Census database is an index to the 1892 New York state census. It should be noted that the 1892 NY State Census original copies were held by the individual county’s courthouse. Several of the counties did not keep copies of the original records and are therefore not included in this database. There are no known copies of the following counties:
- Bronx (part of New York & Westchester Counties in 1892)
- Chenango
- Columbia
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Jefferson
- Livingston
- New York
- Oneida
- Orange
- Putnam
- Rensselaer
- Richmond
- St. Lawrence
- Schuyler
- Seneca
- Suffolk
- Sullivan
- Ulster
- Westchester
- Wyoming
Since the 1890 Federal Census was damaged and destroyed by fire in 1921, the 1892 census is especially important as it is able to provide information that would otherwise be obtainable from the 1890 Federal Census.
Information available in this index includes:
- Name
- Age
- Birthplace
- Enumeration place (town and county)
- Relationship to head of household (only listed in 1905)
Additional information, such as an occupation, may be listed on the actual census.
1915 New York State Census
The 1915 New York State Census database contains an index and images of the 1915 New York state census.
The 1915 NY State Census also took place during an era of heavy immigration; between the 1910 and 1920 federal censuses, the state would add almost 1.3 million inhabitants.
The census form included columns for
- permanent residence
- name
- relationship to head of household
- color
- sex
- age
- nativity (country)
- citizenship (if naturalized, where, when)
- occupation
- inmates of institutions and infants under one year of age (to record residence when admitted)
The final column for inmates and infants served a dual purpose. It was used to list the “residence (Borough, City or Town and County) given by or for the inmates when admitted,” unless the inmate had no other permanent residence.
For children under one year of age, enumerators were told to “write the exact number of days of its age on June 1, 1915.
Searchable New York Census Databases and other Helpful Links
- New York, State Census, 1925
- New York Census, 1790-1890 collection contains the following indexes: 1790 Federal Census Index; 1800 Federal Census Index; 1810 Federal Census Index; 1815 Port Arrivals Index; 1820 Federal Census Index; 1830 Federal Census Index; 1840 Federal Census Index; 1840 Pensioners List; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1870 Federal Census Index; 1890 Veterans Schedule; 1890 Naval Veterans Schedule; Early Census Index.
- U.S. Census Non-Population Schedules, New York, 1850-1880 database include agriculture, industry/manufacturers, social statistics, and supplemental schedules.
- U.S. Census Mortality Schedules, New York, 1850-1880
- New York, Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1830-1920 database contains an index and images of records for residents of poorhouses and almshouses in New York State. The Tenth Annual Report of the State Board of Charities of the State of New York, released in 1877, reported 64 poorhouses and almshouses in the state housing 12,614 residents.
- New York, Orphans Placed in the New York Foundling Hospital and Children’s Aid Society, 1855-1925
- The Children’s Aid Society of New York
- New York Census Books