State Censuses (1840-1876) and County Tax Lists (varies by county)

A sample page from the 1840 state census
for Scott County. Click to enlarge.
Note the doodle at the bottom of the page!

Missouri began taking state censuses in 1824. The first surviving record – a partial record only – is from 1840. One year later (1841), set the frequency of the state census at every four years beginning in 1844 (it had previously been every two years). After 1876, state censuses appear to have been discontinued until they were officially repealed in April 1885. The entire act reads, “That chapter eighty-eight (88) of the Revised Statutes of the state of Missouri, entitled, ‘of the state census,’ be and is hereby repealed. All representation or other matters heretofore or now based on the state census shall be based on the United States census of this state. This act shall be in force from and after its passage.” (1885 Laws of Missouri p. 46)

Tax lists are good substitutes when census records are form not available. They include the name of the head of the household as well as the value of their property. County tax lists may be available in local courthouses or on Archives’ microfilm.

To request a search of a census or tax list, please complete and submit a research request. In addition, fillable sample forms can be downloaded and/or printed.

State Censuses:

¹aggregate data only; no names included

²these records have not been electronically transcribed or indexed, but printed indexes and/or transcriptions ARE available as part of the Archives’ county book collection

³the Archives has a printed transcription only