Indians and the Census 1790-1950

by Roberta Estes

Census enumerators had a big influence on our genealogy records.

These people we don’t know decided who was of what race and
recorded the family as such
 1790
◼ 1790 – “Omitting Indians not taxed,
distinguishing free persons, including
those bound to service, from all
others.” Indians living “wild,”
generally meaning plains Indians in
the west, or on reservations were not
taxed.
◼ but those who were enumerated
were recorded in the “all other free”
column on the census form
 1800-1820
◼ 1800 – Indians living off of reservations and not
“wild” would have been recorded in the “all other
free persons” column on the census form. Options
were free white, slave and “all other free persons.”

◼ 1810 – Indians living off of reservations would have

been recorded in the “all others” column on the
census form. Options were free white, slave and “all
other

◼ 1820 – Indians living off of reservations would have

been recorded in the “free colored persons”
categories. Other options were free whites, slaves
and “all others except Indians not taxed.”
 1830-1840
◼ 1830 – Indians living off of reservations
and not “wild” would have been recorded in
the “free colored persons” category. Other
options were free whites and slaves.

◼ 1840 – Essentially the same as 1830 with

the exception that an additional column
labeled “pensioners for revolutionary or
military services” with a blank for the
pensioner’s name to be included and
applies to all individuals.
 1850
◼ 1850 is the first census in which every individual in the
household was enumerated.

◼ In prior years, only the name of the head of household

was recorded and other household members were
recorded by age grouping by category.

◼ In 1850, the instructions say that Indians not taxed

(meaning on reservations) were not to be enumerated
and the categories for race were white, black, mulatto.

◼ So if your ancestor looked “dark” and was an Indian,

chances are they were recorded as M for mulatto.

◼ There was no “Indian” category until 1860

 1860
◼ 1860 – Indians not taxed were not
enumerated. However, the categories
differed a bit this year.

◼ “The families of Indians who have

renounced tribal rule, and who under State
or Territorial laws exercise the rights of
citizens, are to be enumerated. In all such
cases write “Ind.” opposite their names, in
column 6, under heading ‘Color.’”

◼ There is a census in Indian Territory, but

Indians are not included.
 1870
◼ 1870 – Instructions said, “”Indians not taxed’ are not to be
enumerated on schedule 1. Indians out of their tribal
relations, and exercising the rights of citizens under State
or Territorial laws, will be included.

◼ In all cases write “Ind.” in the column for “Color.” Although

no provision is made for the enumeration of “Indians not
taxed,” it is highly desirable, for statistical purposes, that
the number of such persons not living upon reservations
should be known.

◼ Assistant marshals are therefore requested, where such

persons are found within their subdivisions, to make a
separate memorandum of names, with sex and age, and
embody the same in a special report to the census office.”

◼ The form gave these race options: Color – White (W),

black (B), mulatto (M), Chinese (C), Indian (I).
 Footnote

◼ There was no census of Indian

people in Indian Territory.
◼ There are articles at the National
Archives discusses Indians in the
census between 1860 and 1880 and
states that in 1870 half-breed people
who had assimilated and adopted
white ways were to be recorded as
white.
 1880
◼ 1880 – Instructions said, “It is the prime
object of the enumeration to obtain the
name, and the requisite particulars as to
personal description, of every person in the
United States, of whatever age, sex, color,
race, or condition, with this single
exception, viz.: that “Indians not taxed”
shall be omitted from the enumeration.

◼ By the phrase “Indians not taxed” is meant

Indians living on reservations under the
care of Government agents, or roaming
individually, or in bands, over settled tracts
of country
 1880 Continue
◼ Indians, not in tribal relations, whether full-
bloods or half-breeds, who are found
mingled with the white population, residing
in white families, engaged as servants or
laborers, or living in huts or wigwams on
the outskirts of towns or settlements are to
be regarded as a part of the ordinary
population of the country for the
constitutional purpose of the apportionment
of Representatives among the States, and
are to be embraced in the enumeration.
 1880 A- Continue
◼ However, the 1880 instructions for “color” are not specific as to
how to record Indians or those of mixed heritage. “Color.-It must
not be assumed that, where nothing is written in this column,
“white” is to be understood.

◼ The column is always to be filled. Be particularly careful in

reporting the class mulatto.

◼ The word is here generic, and includes quadroons, octoroons,

and all persons having any perceptible trace of African blood.

◼ Important scientific results depend upon the correct

determination of this class in schedules 1 and 5.”

◼ The form gave these options: Color – White, W; black, B;

Mulatto, Mu; Chinese, C; Indian, I.

◼ Beginning in 1885, special Indian Census were taken on

reservations. This continued until 1940.
 1890
◼ The 1890 census was destroyed, but here are the instructions:

◼ “Whether white, black, mulatto. quadroon, octoroon, Chinese,

Japanese, or Indian.-Write white, black, mulatto, quadroon,
octoroon, Chinese, Japanese, or Indian, according to the color or
race of the person enumerated.

◼ Be particularly careful to distinguish between blacks, mulattos,

quadroons, and octoroons.

◼ The word “black” should be used to describe those persons who

have three-fourths or more black blood.

◼ “mulatto,” those persons who have from three-eighths to five-

eighths black blood; “quadroon.

◼ Those persons who have one-fourth black blood; and “octoroon,”

those persons who have one-eighth or any trace of black blood.”
 1900
◼ In 1900, the instructions become less specific: Although they
don’t say so here, we know that Indians on reservations are still
not consistently enumerated.

◼ “Column 5. Color or race.-Write “W” for white; “B” for black

(negro or of negro descent); “Ch” for Chinese; “JP” for Japanese,
and “In” for Indian, as the case may be.”

◼ The census bureau says that beginning in 1900, Indians on

reservations were also enumerated in the general census, but I
have not found this to always be the case. I do find them
consistently by 1930.

◼ A special Indian census form with separate instructions was

included, although these are often only recorded at the end of
the county census roll and sometimes not indexed when indexing
occurred.

◼ These were supposed to be for people both on reservations and

off who considered themselves to be Indian. These are
particularly valuable records.
 1910
◼ 1910 instructions: “Color or race.-
Write “W” for white; “B” for black;
“Mu” for mulatto; “Ch” for Chinese;
“Jp” for Japanese; “In” for Indian.

◼ For all persons not falling within one

of these classes, write “Ot” (for
other), and write on the left-hand
margin of the schedule the race of
the person so indicated.”

◼ Again a special Indian census form

and instructions were included.
 1920
◼ 1920 instructions: “Color or race.-Write “W” for white, “B”
for black; “Mu” for mulatto; “In” for Indian; “Ch” for
Chinese; “Jp” for Japanese; “Fil” for Filipino; “Hin” for
Hindu; “Kor” for Korean.

◼ for all persons not falling within one of these classes,

write “Ot” (for other), and write on the left-hand margin of
the schedule the race of the person so indicated.”

◼ Things changed dramatically between 1920 and 1930 for

Indians. In 1924, Indians were made American citizens.

◼ Before 1924, Indians who lived on reservations were

considered to be citizens of their tribe and not American
citizens. This harkens back to the 1830s lawsuits about
sovereign tribal rights
 1930
◼ Before the 1930 census, Indians living on reservations were not
always enumerated on the general census.

◼ There were special Indian census schedules taken, but not on

the decade marks like the regular census, and not as detailed,
generally lists of families with ages.

◼ But in 1930, all Indians were included in the census, and the
instructions became much more robust as well.

◼ Some Indians were included in the 1900-1920 census

schedules, but not all, although according to the instructions,
they were all supposed to be included.

◼ Mixed race people and Indians living off of the reservation were
included. Indians living on reservations are the people missing
from the census prior to 1930.

◼ Fortunately for genealogists, if your ancestor was living on a

reservation in the 1900s, you likely know about it.
 1930 Instructions
◼ 1930 instructions:

◼ “150. Column 12. Color or race.-Write “W” for white, “B” for black;
“Mus” for mulatto; “In” for Indian; “Ch” for Chinese; “Jp” for
Japanese; “Fil” for Filipino; “Hin” for Hindu; “Kor” for Korean.

◼ For a person of any other race, write the race in full.

◼ “151. Negroes.-A person of mixed white and Negro blood should

be returned as a Negro, no matter how small the percentage of
Negro blood.

◼ Both black and mulatto persons are to be returned as Negroes,

without distinction.

◼ A person of mixed Indian and Negro blood should be returned a

Negro, unless the Indian blood predominates and the status as
an Indian is generally accepted in the community.
 152

◼ 152. Indians.-A person of mixed

white and Indian blood should
be returned as Indian, except
where the percentage of Indian
blood is very small, or where he
is regarded as a white person by
those in the community where
he lives. (See par. 151 for mixed
Indian and Negro.)
 153
◼ 153. For a person reported as Indian
in column 12, report is to be made in
column 19 as to whether “full blood”
or “mixed blood,” and in column 20
the name of the tribe is to be
reported.

◼ For Indians, columns 19 and 20 are

thus to be used to indicate the
degree of Indian blood and the tribe,
instead of the birthplace of father
and mother.
 154
◼ 154. Mexicans.-Practically all Mexican laborers are of a
racial mixture difficult to classify, though usually well
recognized in the localities where they are found.

◼ In order to obtain separate figures for this racial group, it

has been decided that all person born in Mexico, or
having parents born in Mexico, who are not definitely
white, Negro, Indian, Chinese, or Japanese, should be
returned as Mexican (“Mex”).

◼ 155. Other mixed races.-Any mixture of white and

nonwhite should be reported according to the nonwhite
parent. Mixtures of colored races should be reported
according to the race of the father, except Negro-Indian
(see par. 151).”

◼ In the “place of birth” section, we find these instructions

for Indians:
 174
◼ 174a. For the Indian population, which is practically all of native
parentage, these columns are to be used for a different purpose.

◼ In column 19 is to be entered, in place of the country of birth of

the father, the degree of Indian blood, as, “full blood” or “mixed
blood.”

◼ In column 20 is to be entered, in place of the country of birth of

the mother, the tribe to which the Indian belongs.’

◼ 1940 – The 1940 census is the last census that has been
released, and the instructions that year were:

◼ “453. Column 10. Color or Race.-Write “W” for white; “Neg” for
Negro; “In” for Indian; “Chi” for Chinese; “Jp” for Japanese; “Fil”
for Filipino; “Hi” for Hindu; and “Kor” for Korean. For a person of
any other race, write the race in full.
 1940 instructions
◼ 454. Mexicans.-Mexicans are to be regarded as
white unless definitely of Indian or other nonwhite
race.

◼ 455. Negroes.-A person of mixed white and Negro

blood should be returned as Negro, no matter how
small a percentage of Negro blood

◼ Both black and mulatto persons are to be returned

as Negroes, without distinction.

◼ A person of mixed Indian and Negro blood should

be returned as a Negro, unless the Indian blood
very definitely predominates and he is universally
accepted in the community as an Indian.
 456-457
◼ 456. Indians.-A person of mixed white and Indian
blood should be returned as an Indian, if enrolled on
an Indian agency or reservation roll, or if not so
enrolled, if the proportion of Indian blood is one-
fourth or more, or if the person is regarded as an
Indian in the community where he lives.

◼ 457. Mixed Races.-Any mixture of white and

nonwhite should be reported according to the
nonwhite parent. Mixtures of nonwhite races should
be reported according to the race of the father,
except that Negro-Indian should be reported as
Negro.”

◼ In addition, the “mother tongue” recorded was to be

the tribal language.
 1950 Instructions
◼ 1950 – Although the 1950 census has not been released, the
categories are quite interesting and the 1950 census should help
genealogists who are attempting to sort through their family
history.

◼ This census took into consideration special mixed communities.

The instructions for “Race” are as follows.

◼ “114. Item 9. Determining and entering race.-Write “W” for white;

“Neg” for Negro; “Ind” for American Indian; “Chi” for Chinese;
“Jap” for Japanese; “Fil” for Filipino.

◼ For a person of any other race, write the race in full. Assume that
the race of related persons living in the household is the same as
the race of your respondent, unless you learn otherwise.

◼ For unrelated persons (employees, hired hands, lodgers, etc.)

you must ask the race, because knowledge of the housewife’s
race (for example) tells nothing for the maid’s race.
 1950 Continue
◼ 115. Mexicans.-Report “white” (W) for Mexicans unless they are definitely
of Indian or other nonwhite race.

◼ 116. Negroes.-Report “Negro” (Neg) for Negroes and for persons of mixed
white and Negro parentage.

◼ A person of mixed Indian and Negro blood should be returned as a Negro,

unless the Indian blood very definitely predominates and he is accepted in
the community as an Indian. (Note, however, the exceptions described in
par. l18 below.)

◼ 117. American Indians.-Report “American Indian” (Ind) for persons of

mixed white and Indian blood if enrolled on an Indian Agency or
Reservation roll; if not so enrolled, they should still be reported as Indian if
the proportion of Indian blood is one-fourth or more, or if they are regarded
as Indians in the community where they live.

◼ (See par. 116 for persons of mixed Indian and Negro blood and also
exceptions noted in par. 118.) In those counties where there are many
Indians living outside of reservations, special care should be taken to
obtain accurate answers to item 9
 1950-1960
◼ 118. Special communities.-Report persons of mixed
white, Negro, and Indian ancestry living in certain
communities in the Eastern United States in terms of the
name by which they are locally known.
◼ The communities in question are of long standing and are
locally recognized by special names, such as ‘”Croatian,”
“Jackson White,” “We-sort,” etc. Persons of mixed Indian
and Negro ancestry and mulattoes not living in such
communities should be returned as “Negro” (see par.
116). When in doubt, describe the situation in a footnote.
◼ 119. Mixed parentage.-Report race of nonwhite parent for
persons of mixed white and nonwhite races. Mixtures of
nonwhite races should be reported according to the race
of the father. (Note, however, exceptions detailed in pars.
116 and 118 above.)
◼ 120. India.-Persons originating in India should be reported
as ‘Asiatic Indians.’”
◼ The 1960 census is unremarkable and includes Indian as
a category with no specific instructions.
 1970
◼ Then came 1970 and the census changed dramatically. People were
asked about their race and race was no longer recorded based on the
interpretation of the census taker. For Indian, there was a blank beside the
category with the word “tribe” that was to be filled in.

◼ As of the 2010 census, this tribal question remains on the forms.

◼ Between 1980 and 2000, the Native American population in the US

increased 110%.

◼ Now clearly, this was not a matter of actual population growth, but the
difference between what the previous census takers saw and the self-
identification of individuals. There seems to be quite a chasm between
perception and identity.

◼ How to identify an Indian or an Indian mixed race person, especially one

not living on a reservation, seems to have been a problem that has
plagued census takers and therefore the government, and now
genealogists, since the beginning of the census records more than 200
years ago.

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