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."