The Federal Mortality Census Schedule records was taken in 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1885 (applicable state censuses). The census included questions about persons who had died in the year immediately preceding the census.

Mortality schedules record deaths in the year preceding the taking of the census. For example, the 1850 mortality schedules include persons who died between June 1, 1849 and May 31, 1850.

Because death records were not required until the late 1800’s, a mortality schedule can be the only death record available.

These schedules may be the only record of death for some individuals, as many states did not require recording of deaths until the late nineteenth century.

In addition, gravestones or cemetery records may be nonexistent. It may also be the only record of existence for children who have no gravestone.

Researching Death Records

Frequently overlooked by family historians, mortality schedules comprise a particularly interesting group of records. While deaths are under-reported, the mortality schedules remain an invaluable source of information.

By using these schedules to document death dates and family members, it is possible to follow up with focused searches in obituaries, mortuary records, cemeteries, and probate records.

Family Medical History

Mortality schedules are useful for tracing and documenting genetic symptoms and diseases, filling in the gaps of important family medical history. This information can be helpful to family members today.

Cultures not Otherwise Tracked

The Federal Mortality Schedules can also be used to find information about ancestors who were not normally included in the census.

For example, they can be used to verify and document African American, Chinese, and Native American ancestry.

Unfortunately,  African Americans are often not included, especially if they were slaves.

Information Provided in Mortality Schedules

1850-1885 U S Federal Census Mortality Schedules
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Sample of 18805 U S Federal Census Mortality Schedules

Mortality schedules asked for the following information about the deceased:

  • Name
  • Sex
  • Age
  • color (white, black, mulatto)
  • whether widowed
  • place of birth (state, territory, or country)
  •  month in which the death occurred
  • profession/occupation/trade
  • disease or cause of death
  • number of days ill.

In 1870, parents’ birthplaces were added. In 1880, the place where a disease was contracted and how long the deceased person was a citizen or resident of the area were included (fractions mean months when less than one year).

1850 to 1885 Mortality Census Resources

You may find the following resources helpful in your research of the 1850 to 1885 U.S. Mortality Census data.

The U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 database

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at Ancestry.com contains an index to individuals enumerated in these mortality schedules. In addition, each individual is linked to the census image on which they appear.

Not all information that is recorded on the actual census is included in the index. Therefore, it is important that you view the image on which your ancestor is recorded to obtain all possible information about him/her.

This database often included the names of the slave owners whose slaves had passed – please search in the ‘Other’ field to locate slave owners.

In addition to the Federal Mortality Schedules, this database also includes Mortality Schedules from three State Censuses – Colorado, Florida, and Nebraska conducted in 1885.

The federal act of 1879 that regulated the 1880 census also requested states and territories to conduct semi-decennial state censuses offering monetary compensation to those who did.

Fifty percent of the amount states and territories paid supervisors and enumerators would be remunerated to the state or territory from the Federal Treasury on completion of the census. These records were later transferred from state archives to the National Archives.

The U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index, 1850-1880

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at Ancestry.com contains the following mortality schedules:
Alabama 1850, 1860
Arkansas 1850, 1860, 1870
Arizona 1850, 1880
Connecticut 1850, 1860, 1870
California 1850
Colorado 1870, 1880
Dakota Territory 1860, 1880
Delaware 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
District of Columbia 1860, 1870, 1880
Florida 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
Georgia 1850, 1860
Iowa 1850
Idaho 1870, 1880
Illinois 1850
Indiana 1850, 1860
Kansas 1860, 1870, 1880
Kentucky 1850, 1860
Louisiana 1850, 1860
Michigan 1850
Minnesota 1850, 1870
Missouri 1860
Mississippi 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
Montana 1870, 1880
North Carolina 1850
North Dakota 1870, 1880
Nebraska 1860, 1870, 1880
New Hampshire 1850
New Jersey 1850
Nevada 1860, 1870, 1880
Ohio 1850
Oregon 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
Pennsylvania 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
South Carolina 1850, 1860
South Dakota 1860, 1870, 1880, 1885
Tennessee 1850, 1860
Texas 1850, 1860, 1870
Utah 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
Virginia 1850
Vermont 1850, 1860, 1870
Washington 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
Wisconsin 1850
West Virginia 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880
Wyoming 1870, 1880