Monroe County Census Index (1855-1950)
The following censuses are indexed and posted on this website for researching:
Monroe County Federal Census Indexes
- 1860
- 1870
- 1880
- 1900
- 1910
- 1920
- 1950
Monroe County State Census Indexes
- 1855
- 1875
- 1885
- 1895
Census records can be a helpful resource for locating a person’s residence, age, birthplace, occupation, and family members. The 1900, 1910, and 1920 Censuses may even record an individual’s immigration year and naturalization status and year. The Population Schedules for the 1950 Census include standard information such as: first and last name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, marital status, residence, and occupation. However, unlike earlier censuses, census takers for Monroe County were much better at recording an accurate address for each household as well as the number of hours each individual worked the previous week. Children under the age of 1 had their birth month recorded in place of age. Supplemental questions about residence, parentage, schooling, wages, and family information were asked of six individuals on each page (every fifth person) instead of just the two done in 1940. The 1905 State and 1930 and 1940 Federal Censuses will be added to this index in the near future.
The State Censuses often do not provide as much information on an individual/family as the Federal Censuses do. The 1855, 1875, 1885, and 1895 State Censuses are strictly Head of Household indexes that only provide the total number of people living in a particular household and country of birth. The 1905 State Census is the only one to record by name every member of the household.
These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, hand-written censuses. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Illegible names are identified with a question mark "(?)" in part or in whole.
Census Page Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the census record page listing the information of a given individual/household for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a census record will be added to the “shopping cart.”
Tomah Indian Agency Census Index (1911-1939)
This database is an index of names and accompanying information listed on U.S. Indian Census Rolls filled out by the Tomah Indian Agent based at the Tomah Indian Industrial School. Unlike the U.S. Federal Census which was filled out every ten years, these Census Rolls were completed on an annual basis. The Tomah Indian Agency existed from 1911-1915 and 1927-1939. It covered Native American populations in and around Western and Central Wisconsin and at various times included members of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Oneida, and Stockbridge-Munsee Nations among others. Between 1916 and 1926, the region was overseen by the Grand Rapids Indian Agency based in Wisconsin Rapids, so those records are not included within this index.
The U.S. Indian Census Rolls are valuable for anyone researching a Native American family member who lived during the first half of the twentieth century. Information on the records may include: tribe or nation, English name, Indian name, age, relationship to head of household, birth date, degree of blood, death date, and cause of death. Beginning in 1931, the U.S. Indian Census Rolls also included special pages recording births and deaths. Specialized marriage pages occurred in 1936. Alternate names are noted in parentheses ( ) or brackets [ ].
Not all of the information recorded on the U.S. Indian Census Rolls is listed in the index. Also note that some of the terminology used within the records is not the same as considered appropriate today and is only used now for the purpose of accurate indexing of an original document.
Tomah Indian Agency Census Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the U.S. Indian Census Roll record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on "Get Copy of Record" and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a Census Roll will be added to the "shopping cart."
Civil War Veteran Census Index (1885-1905)
This index contains a listing of Monroe County Civil War Veterans who either served in Wisconsin organizations (ie. regiments) or of other states living in Monroe County. Census years include: 1885, 1890, 1895, 1905.
Census Entry Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of census entries for particular veterans indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per page). Simply find your person in the index, and click on “Add Census Record to Cart.” All census entries you wish copies of will be added to a Shopping Cart. To submit your request, print off your Order Form and mail payment to our address.
NOTE: We will not send copies of Census entries requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.
Monroe County Dependent (DDD) Population Census Index (1880)
This database is an index of 140 names and accompanying information listed on the supplemental Schedule of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes (DDD) from the 1880 US Federal Census for Monroe County. The schedule included different forms for listing the following classes of individuals at the time: Insane, Idiots, Deaf-mutes, Blind, Paupers and Indigent persons, Homeless children, and Prisoners. The index does include individuals residing at the time at the Monroe County Poor Farm located in Adrian Township and the St. Francis Orphan Asylum for Girls in Sparta. Besides an individual’s name and classification, additional information may include the following: residence (at time of census and before institutionalization), race, gender, age, medical history, and when and where institutionalized if applicable.
These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, handwritten DDD Census Schedule. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Also note that some of the terminology used to describe certain populations in 1880 is not the same as considered appropriate today and is only used now for the purpose of accurate indexing of an original document.
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the DDD Census Schedule record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on "Get Copy of Record" and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a DDD Census Schedule record will be added to the "shopping cart."
Monroe County Mortality Schedule Index (1859-1880)
This database is an index of names and accompanying information listed on mortality schedules from the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal Censuses for Monroe County. A person was listed on a mortality schedule if he or she died within the previous year of when the census was taken, so anytime between June 1 of the year prior to the census thru May 31 of the census year.
Mortality schedule information may be useful, as death records were not required by the State of Wisconsin until 1907. Not all of the information recorded on the mortality schedule is listed in the index. Additional information may include: place of birth, father and mother's nativity, profession, cause of death, and number of days ill.
These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, hand-written census mortality schedules. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Illegible names are identified with a question mark "(?)" in part or in whole.
Mortality Schedule Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the census mortality schedule record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on "Get Copy of Record" and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a mortality record will be added to the "shopping cart."
Monroe County Agricultural Schedule Index (1860-1880)
This database is an index of names and accompanying information listed on agricultural schedules from the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal Censuses for Monroe County. Agricultural schedule information may be useful in determining the size, specialty, and valuation of an ancestor’s farm. Not all of the information recorded on the agricultural schedule is listed in the index. Additional information on the record may include: cash, implement, and farm values; amount and types of livestock, crops, and produce grown and sold; amount paid for hired labor; and breakdown of improved, unimproved, and wooded acreage. The 1880 Agricultural Schedule in particular includes a very detailed listing of farm statistics for an individual with 100 potential columns of information that could be recorded.
These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, handwritten census agricultural schedules. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Illegible names are identified with a question mark "(?)" in part or in whole.
Agricultural Schedule Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the agricultural census schedule record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting an agricultural record will be added to the “shopping cart.”