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If you haven't used this index before please read the following:

The 1856 census is the only census for Iowa which asked the question how long people had been a resident of the state of Iowa. Because of this one question the 1856 Iowa State Census stands out as one of the most helpful early census records for the genealogist searching for ancestors in Iowa.

This census is hard to read in many respects. As we all know, older records are inherently hard to decipher. Capital L and I are almost indistinquishable one from the other as are W, H and N. Lower case n and v are also hard to determine. Even though every attempt has been made to check and double check these records for errors the researcher is advised to look at all possible spellings when using this index. I'm sure there are errors on the part of the enumerator as well as in creating the index.

The researcher is always encouraged to view the actual census for other information not included in this index, such as marital status, alien, militia, land, etc. There are a total of 45 columns included in the full census which I have listed below. By viewing the census as a whole you will see family units and neighbors of your ancestors. Also, many people were actually living with other families and you may be able to find a family connection between the two, but assuming family relationships from this index may lead you down the wrong road.

Columns in the 1856 Iowa State Census:

1 - Number of dwelling houses
2 - Number of families
3 - Names of persons
4 - Age
5 - Sex
6 - Color
7 - Married
8 - Widowed
9 - Years resided in the state
10 - In what state, or foreign country born
11 - Profession, trade of occupation
12 - Native voters
13 - Naturalized voters
14 - Aliens
15 - Militia
16 - Deaf and dumb
17 - Blind
18 - Insane
19 - Idiotic
20 - Owners of land
21 - Paupers
22 - (Unreadable-I'll get back to you)
23 - Acres of unimproved land
24 - Acres of meadow
25 - Tons of hay
26 - Bushels of grass seed
27 - Wheat - Acres of spring wheat
28 - Wheat - Bushels harvested
29 - Wheat - Acres of winter wheat
30 - Wheat - Bushels harvested
31 - Oats - Acres of oats
32 - Oats - Bushels harvested
33 - Corn - Acres of corn
34 - Corn - Bushels harvested
35 - Potatoes - Acres of potatoes
36 - Potatoes - Bushels harvested
37 - Hogs - Number of hogs sold
38 - Hogs - Value of hogs sold
39 - Cattle - Number of cattle sold
40 - Cattle - Value of cattle sold
41 - Pounds of butter manufactured
42 - Pounds of cheese
43 - Pounds of wool
44 - Value of domestic manufactures
45 - Value of general manufactures
46 - Remarks