LDS Family Search 1880 National Index and Census Records

THE NATIONAL INDEX

    The National Index is an alphabetical list of the names in the 1880 U. S. census. The index does not contain detailed records of individuals or households, as the full census index does. Instead, it contains selected information, such as the names of individuals and other important reference information to help you locate an individual in the full census index. 

    The information in the National Index is intended to help you locate an entry in the Regional Census Indexes, where a more detailed record will provide additional information about an individual. The National Index is especially helpful if you're not sure exactly where a person was born or where he or she lived when the census was taken. 

THE 1880 UNITED STATES FEDERAL CENSUS

    The compact disc version of the 1880 U.S. census contains an alphabetical index of individuals; a list of individuals grouped by household; and a browse feature that shows neighboring households in enumeration order on either side of the household or across the street from where the individual lived.

    This census on CD lists individuals by last name, first name(s), relationship to the head of the household, calculated birth year, gender, race, birthplace (state or country if born outside the United States), and census place (state, county, and in most instances the town). Searches use a standardized last name and given name, birth year with a one-to-five year search option, gender, race, birthplace, and census place. 

    The household view shows the location of the house, including the town or city, county, and state. The full source citation showing how to find the family in the original census is also displayed and includes the Family History Library film call number and the page on the film where the family can be found. The National Archive film number is also given on the source list.

    Information about each individual within a household includes the full name, relationship to the head of the household, gender, marital status, race, age, and birthplace, usually a state or country. The household record includes the person's occupation and the birthplaces of that person's father and mother.

    There are also individuals enumerated within institutions or not listed within a normal household. This includes alms houses, hospitals, schools, religious orders, and military stations to mention a few. The census headers do not always identify these as institutions, but the institutions are recognizable because of a long list of names that sets them apart from regular households. Individuals within an institution are usually listed as an inmate, patient, soldier, or some other title that identifies them as belonging to a particular group.

    The census was recorded on a preprinted form with specific information requested from each person enumerated. It was the census taker's responsibility to see that the information was gathered on each person. Note that information contained in the original census, such as education, health, and property, was not extracted and is not included in this census index. Use the source information to go back to the original census record on microfilm to see if additional information was included.

INSTRUCTIONS - HOW TO REQUEST A SEARCH OF THE 
1880 NATIONAL INDEX AND CENSUS RECORDS

Please read "Tips for Searching" at the end of this page.

Click here to  send a search request message to GWM. 

    Include in the message the following information (as much as is known):

1.    The full name of the individual - first and last names.  
        IF YOU GIVE ONLY A LAST NAME, YOUR REQUEST WILL BE IGNORED.

2.    Gender - male or female.

3.     Birth year - if known, otherwise estimate.

4.    Race - Asian, Black, Mexican, Mulatto, Native American, or White.

5.    Birthplace - be as specific as possible.

6.    Region of residence (see below).

7.    State of residence (see below).

8.     Your correct and complete e-mail address.

        Regions:
            Atlantic states region:
                    Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York City
                     (Greater), New York (Upstate), Pennsylvania.
            Cumberland region:
                    Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West
                    Virginia.
            Great Lakes region:
                    Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin.
            New England region:
                    Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island,
                    Vermont.
            Prairie states region:
                      Dakota Territory, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska.
              Southern states region:
                        Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi,
                        Texas.
                Western states region:
                        Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico.

Tips for Searching

1. The program searches for first and last names only. Middle names and initials cannot be a part of the search. They may show up in the list of results, but they cannot be used in the initial search.  If you know the middle name or initial, include it, it may help to identify your subject in the results.

2. It would be helpful to include the name of the spouse of the individual, and/or the names of any children. Approximate ages, if known, would also be helpful.