United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940
Native American census rolls for various tribes. Original records are NARA Series M595. This NARA series also includes some vital records.
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United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940
What Is in the Collection?
This collection consists of an index & images of census and other records created by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The records are from the National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75. Census rolls were usually submitted annually by agents or superintendents in charge of Indian reservations as required by an 1884 act of Congress. In some years, agents only compiled a summary of additions and deductions from the populations. In some years separate lists of births and deaths are included. The collection covers the years 1885 to 1940. Not all years are available for all tribes. Birth and deaths microfilmed as part of this National Archives microfilmed publication have been published on FamilySearch. See United States, Native American Birth and Death Records, 1885-1940. Additional information on this collection may be found at War Department. Office of Indian Affairs. Office of the Commissioner, Administrative History Note
Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.
What Can These Records Tell Me?
The record content varies by year, but the records generally contain the following:
- Indian name
- English name
- Sex
- Age
- Relationship
- Tribe
- Reservation.
- Current year's roll number
- Previous year's roll number
- Some censuses show the names of persons who were born or died during the year, along with date of birth and death.
Beginning in 1929, the following was added:
- An annuity or allotment number is included if the tribe receives an annuity or allotment
Beginning in 1930, the following was added:
- Surname
- Given name
- Degree of blood
- Jurisdiction where enrolled
- Name of the post office, county, and state
- May list how many live or still births a woman had
Births
- Census roll number (if born before the census was taken)
- Full name
- Birth date
- If born live
- Sex
- Tribe
- Degree of Indian blood
- Parents degree of Indian blood
- If living at jurisdiction where enrolled
- If living at another jurisdiction and where
- If living off reservation and where
Deaths
- Census roll year and number
- Full name
- Death date
- Age
- Sex
- Tribe
- Degree of Indian blood
- Cause of death
- If living at jurisdiction where enrolled
- If living at another jurisdiction and where
Collection Content
Sample Images
1885 Menominee Indian Census
1888 Menominee Indian Census
1889 Menominee Indian Census
1890 Blackfeet Indian Census
1891 Bloods, Blackfeet & Piegan Indian Census
1895 Menominee Indian Census
1916 Digger Indian Census
1920 Digger Indian Census
1923 Danville Agency Indian Census
1932 Hopi Indian Census
1926-1927 Hopi Indian Births
1930-1931 Hopi Indian Deaths
Inventory
An inventory that describes the contents of each film/digital folder in this collection is available at United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940 - Inventory. It includes the film notes (collection content) from the 692 rolls of National Archives Microfilm Publication M595 of the annual agency censuses and supplemental birth and death records.
Collection Details
Location of Original Records
National Archives and Records Administration
"United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940." Database. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 23 August 2025. Citing NARA microfilm publication M595. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1967.
