Locating Native American ancestors enumerated in Federal census returns prior to 1900 is a challenge unless they resided on designated reservations visited by Federal enumerators. Native Americans first appear in the 1870 census identified in column 6 by “I” or “IN” , the recognized abbreviations for Indians at that time. Some reservations were identified separately; others were lumped into the general area being enumerated.
In 1860, the Federal census of the Indian Territory in Oklahoma listed only white settlers. In the 1880 census Indians are listed in column 4 in the same manner as described in the 1870 census. Regardless of which census is examined, it was common practice for Indians to be listed under their Anglicized name, not their Indian names. Indians of mixed blood were often listed as White or Black, not Indian, depending on the race of the spouse or the race of one of the parents.
The 1900 Federal census was the first to formally list Indians enumerated on the reservations and in the general population, as shown in column 5. Special Indian schedules were usually found at the end of each county’s census or on the last microfilm roll for the state. Thanks to advanced indexes online, especially on Ancestry, Heritage Quest, and Family Search, the process of locating individuals has become easier.
In the 1910 Federal census Indians on reservations and in the general population are identified in column 6. Special Indian schedules are also found in returns for the county of residence. Indians living with non-Indian families outside of reservations are found in the general population. In the 1920 Federal census this information is found in column 10, but no special Indian schedules were posted. In the 1930 Federal census Indians on reservations and in the general population are identified in column 12 (Color or Race). Census enumerations conducted on reservations indicate the degree of Indian blood in column 19. The tribe is noted in column 20. In the general population schedules this information is not provided. There were no special Indian schedules.
If you have known ancestors living on a reservation from 1900-1930 you will have much better luck in finding a match on Federal census records. Census records prior to those dates may show your ancestor, but little information will be given regarding whether or not they were Indian. Watch for different spellings of last names, and unusual first and last names. In some cases this can indicate Indian ancestry.
BLM 4/16/2015