Massachusetts Census

"Massachusetts took state censuses in 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925, 1935, and 1945. General summaries have been published for most of these censuses, but the actual town-by-town census schedules exist for only 1855 and 1865. The original schedules for 1855 and 1865 are currently held by the Massachusetts State Archives. The original schedules for the other years appear to have been lost.

The 1855 and 1865 Massachusetts state censuses complement the United States federal censuses, allowing researchers to trace a family every five years between 1850 and 1870. The state census can also occasionally provide additional information not present in the federal census, such as town or county of birth. For the 1855 census, an individual's town of birth was recorded for most residents of Abington, Andover, Brimfield, Brookline, Carlisle, Dennis, Enfield, Harwich, Holland, Ipswich, Marshfield, New Ashford, North Attleboro, Pembroke, Provincetown, Shutesbury, Wayland, Wellfleet, Westport, Wilmington, and Yarmouth."

Paragraphs attributed to Sam Sturgis, Digital Collections Administrator, and Christopher Carter, Digital Collections Coordinator, New England Historic Genealogical Society, July 2014. Visit the New England Genealogical Society online.

--Kim 09:27, July 21, 2014 (EDT)

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