The New York State 1865 Census is one of the best early census reports around.  For one thing, it is the first post Civil War Census conducted, as you can see in the list below, lines 25-28 provide military service information.  Locating your ancestor in this census may be the fastest way to determine if he was possibly a Civil War Vet.

Another very usual line is #11 “Of how many children the parent.”.   This line indicates how many children the parent has parented, and can be useful if this number is different from the amount of children in the home, indicated another children either has moved out if old enough, or died.

Unfortunately, the 1865  census does not yet include address’s.  Luckily, there are several other sources a genealogist can use to find an address during this period.  The 1875 New York State Census is the first census that includes the home address.

1865 New York State Census Columns

• 1  – Numbered in order of visitation.
• 2  – Of what material built.
• 3  – Value.
• 4  – Families numbered in order of visitation.
• 5  –  Name of every person whose usual place of abode was in the Family on the first day of June 1865.
• 6  – Age.
• 7  – Sex.
• 8  – Color: White, black or mulatto.
• 9  – Relation to the head of the family.
• 10 – In what county of this state or in what other state or foreign country born.
• 11 – Of how many children the parent.
• 12 – Number of times married.
• 13 – Now married.
• 14 – Now widowed.
• 15 – Single.
• 16 – Profession, trade or occupation.
• 17 – Usual place of employment, if out of the city or town, where the family resides.
• 18 – VOTERS- Native.
• 19 – VOTERS- Naturalized.
• 20 – Alien.
• 21 – Colored person not taxed.
• 22 – Owner of land.
• 23 – Over 21 and not able to read or write.
• 24 – Deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic.
• 25 – Now in army.
• 26 – Now in navy.
• 27 – Formerly in army.
• 28 – Formerly in navy.

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