Montana Historical Society
Archives
MC 42
United States. Bureau of the
Census. Montana
U.S. Bureau of the Census. Montana Territory
records
1870-1880
.5 linear feet of shelf space
These records of the U.S. Bureau of the Census consist of
Montana Territory census enumeration sheets (1870) for three districts in Lewis and Clark
County, including mortality, social statistics, agricultural production, and products of
industry; and census enumeration sheets (1880) for eleven counties, including mortality,
defective, dependent, and delinquent classes, and products of industry.
1:5-5 (oversize box shelf)
English
A census of the United States was first taken in 1790. It was not until 1850, however,
that a decennial census for the country was instigated.
In the early years, the Superintendent of the Census worked as a part of the Department of
the Interior. In March 1902 the Bureau of the Census was created under the Department of
Commerce to collect general purpose statistics for use by Congress, the executive branch,
and the public in development of economic and social programs.
The statistics gathered in 1870 form the Ninth Census of the U.S. The work commenced on
June 1, 1870, and was completed on January 9, 1871. The 1880 census was the Tenth Census of
the U.S.
These records include enumeration sheets and schedules for the Ninth and Tenth U.S.
Censuses in Montana Territory. For 1870 there are enumeration sheets for the population of
three districts of Lewis and Clarke County. Also for 1870 there are sheets for schedules 2,
3, 4, and 5 for ten of the eleven counties in the territory (Beaverhead, Choteau, Dawson,
Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clarke, Madison Meagher, and Missoula; Big Horn
is missing).
For 1880 there are enumeration sheets for all eleven counties in the territory
(Beaverhead, Choteau, Custer [Big Horn in 1870], Dawson, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Jefferson,
Lewis and Clarke, Madison, Meagher, and Missoula). Also for 1880 there are sheets for
schedules 3 (with special schedules) and 5, plus supplemental schedules.
Arranged by series.
Also available in MF 34 and MF 108.
Collection is open for research.
The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and
makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission
must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not
necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases,
permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright
owners.
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers.
Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.
Acquisition information available upon request
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society
Archives catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places
should search under these terms.
United States. Bureau of the
Census. Montana
Montana--Census
Census--Montana
Montana
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection
Census Schedules
1 / 1
Schedule 1 (population enumeration): Lewis and Clarke
County: Helena
1870
1 / 2
Schedule 1 (population enumeration): Lewis and Clarke
County: Helena, Unionville, Ten Mile, Nelson Gulch, Grizzly Gulch, Silver Creek,
Trinity, Piegan, Canyon Creek, Quartz Gulch, Green Horn Creek, Little Prickly Pear,
South Fork, and Silver City
1870
1 / 3
Schedule 1 (population enumeration): Lewis and Clarke
County: Prickly Pear Valley, Fort Shaw, Sun River, Missouri Valley
1870
1 / 4
Schedule 2 (list of persons who died during the year
ending 1 June 1870): all counties except Big Horn; Schedule 3 (productions of
agriculture--listed by person): all counties except Big Horn and Dawson; Schedule 4
(products of industry--listed by person/corporation): all counties except Beaverhead
and Big Horn; Schedule 5 (social statistics): all counties except Big Horn
1870
2 / 1
Schedule 1 (population enumeration): all counties
[RESTRICTED: Fragile]
1880
2 / 2
Schedule 3 (manufactures/products of industry):
Choteau, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Lewis and Clarke, Madison, Meagher, Missoula counties;
Special Schedules 3 and 4 (boots and shoes/leather- tanned and curried): Deer Lodge,
Lewis and Clarke, and Madison counties; Special Schedules 5 and 6 (lumber mills and
saw-mills/brick yards and tile works): Choteau, Custer, Deer Lodge, Gallatin,
Jefferson, Lewis and Clarke, Madison, Meagher, and Missoula counties; Special
Schedules 7 and 8 (flour and grist mills/ cheese, butter, and condensed milk
factories): Gallatin, Deer Lodge, Jefferson, Madison, Meagher, and Missoula counties;
Special Schedules 9 and 10 (slaughtering and meat-packing/salt works): Deer Lodge,
Lewis and Clarke, Madison, and Missoula counties
1880
2 / 3
Schedule 5 (list of persons who died during the year
ending 31 May 1870): all counties
1880
2 / 4
Supplemental Schedules 1 to 7 for "defective,
dependent, and delinquent classes" ("insane; idiots; deaf-mutes; blind; homeless
children; inhabitants in prison; pauper and indigent inhabitants in institutions,
poor-houses, or boarded at public expense in private houses"--listed by person): all
counties except Dawson
1880