South Dakota, State Census, 1905

What is in This Collection?

The collection consists of an index to the census of South Dakota taken by that state in 1905. This 1905 South Dakota State Census is an every-name list of the state's inhabitants as of 1905. The records are handwritten on printed cards and are arranged alphabetically by surname. People enumerated in the census are recorded individually; the census records do not show individuals in family groups. The census was filmed at the South Dakota State Historical Society.

In 1885 the South Dakota State Legislature mandated that a census be taken in June of that year and every 10 years thereafter. The last census was taken in 1945. The completed cards were then sent to the Secretary of State. The census covers approximately 90% of the population.

The state census was taken in order to enumerate the population for representation purposes. Censuses are generally reliable, depending on the knowledge of the informant and the care of the census enumerator. Information may have been given to a census taker by any member of the family or by a neighbor. Some information may therefore be incorrect.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Town and county or ward and city in which the census was taken Name Age Occupation

Birthplace Birthplace of parents Gender Race

Marital status Literate or illiterate Number of years living in the United States Number of years in South Dakota Physical defects

Collection Content

Sample Image

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  1905 State Census Cards

Digital Folder Number List

This collection was published as a DGS browse collection. The list does not contain any description of the DGS folder's content. A table listing each DGS number and its contents can be found at South Dakota State Census, 1905 Digital Folder Number List.