U.S. 1890 Census Destroyed by Fire
A January 1921 fire in the Commerce Department Building in Washington, D.C., destroyed most of the 1890 U.S. census records. Only fragments survived, preserving information on just over 6,000 individuals.
Records of Almost 63 Millions Destroyed
The 1880s marked the peak of Swedish emigration to America. The 1890 U.S. census could therefore have been an invaluable resource for Swedish-American genealogy research. With nearly 63 million people recorded, this census could have provided crucial insights into the lives of Swedish immigrants in America.
The photo above was taken in 1894 (source: Library of Congress). It shows the tabulation machine used in the 1890 census. The machine made counting the results less time consuming. Punched cards were used to work the machine. The results were presented by the dials on the machine and written down manually. The man at the machine is Herman Hollerith who invented it a couple of years earlier.
The photograph above shows some of the damaged remains of the 1890 U.S. census. Source: Library of Congress
A Rare Survivor: Swedish Clara in the 1890 Census
Among the few surviving records from the 1890 census is one documenting Clara Anderson. She was a 26-year-old Swedish immigrant working as a servant in the household of Emily Chisolm, 56, and her 24-year-old son. Clara’s census entry provides details such as these:
- She was single and employed as a domestic worker.
- She, along with her parents, was born in Sweden.
- She could read, write, and speak English.
- She had no chronic illnesses, disabilities, or legal troubles.
While only a handful of Swedish individuals appear in the surviving 1890 census records, Clara Anderson’s case is a rare census glimpse into the lives of Swedish immigrants during that era.
Alternative Records for 1890 Research
If your Swedish-American ancestors are not among the few recorded in the 1890 U.S. census, there are other records that may be of use to you. State censuses can serve as valuable substitutes. Many states conducted their own censuses between federal census years. For example, Minnesota conducted state censuses in 1885 and 1895, which can provide comparable information. Other states with large Swedish immigrant populations also have state census records that may be useful.
Several other 1890 U.S. census alternative records can also help bridge the 1890 census gap. Here are some examples:
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City and County Directories, which list residents, their addresses, and occupations.
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Tax Records can be used to confirm an ancestor’s residence and property details.
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Voter Registration Lists can verify an ancestor’s location and political affiliations, but women were generally excluded from voting at that time.
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Newspapers, such as local U.S. newspapers or Swedish American ones, often included obituaries, marriage announcements, and community news.
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Church Records most often included registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials.
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Land and Property Records, such as deeds and land grants, can provide information on residency and property ownership.
Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna
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