New Mexico Census Records

The federal government of the United States conducts an enumeration of the nation every ten years. Since the first census in 1790, the returns from these censuses have become an invaluable source of information for genealogists and others. This collection of census records contains a vast amount of information on millions of Americans.

Over the years the questions asked and information provided has changed since that first census. Name of the head of the household has not changed from the first census. In 1800, age and residence was added to the other questions regarding slaves, and number of males and females (no names provided). In 1820, occupation was added. In 1830, deaf, dumb, and blind persons was added. In 1850, the name, age, sex, color, place of birth, and literacy was added to the census. In 1860, the value of real estate was an added feature of the enumeration. And in 1880 the census added questions relative to marital status, and parents’ place of birth.

As all of us who uses census records for our research for their wealth of information, there limitations. These include incomplete information, mis-transcribed information, mis-recorded information, and incorrect information. The incorrect information include persons who refused to answer the enumerators questions, persons who lied in answer to the enumerators questions, persons missed by the enumerators, and human error in writing down the information originally or transmitted incorrectly.

1750 – 1830

“Censuses of the Spanish and Mexican eras in New Mexico are filled with valuable information for Hispanic and Native American genealogists. This collection of censuses, together with a first volume, Spanish and Mexican Colonial Censuses of New Mexico, 1790, 1823 and 1845 (Book B2), gives the researcher a century of New Mexico families before the area came under the jurisdiction of the United States.

“Although the 1750 census of New Mexico is a complete census, the information recorded by the enumerators varies with each locality and official. I have compiled the censuses with all information given by the friars or civil officials who recorded the original documents. The archaic spellings and the abbreviations of baptismal names and surnames have been retained.”  Compiled by Virginia Langham Olmsted, G.R.S.

1750 Colonial Census for Belen
1740 Original Settlers of the Village of Belen
1825 Head of Household, Tax list

1850 Census Records

San Miguel County

Santa Ana County

Santa Fe County

Taos County

Valencia County

1860 Census Records

Arizona/New Mexico Territory

Bernalillo County

Doña Ana County

Doña Ana/Grant

Lincoln County

Mora County

Rio Arriba County

San Miguel County

Santa Ana County

Santa Fe County

Socorro County

Taos County

Valencia County

1870 Census Records

Bernalillo County

Colfax County

Doña Ana County

Grant County

Lincoln County

Mora County

Rio Arriba County

San Miguel County

Santa Ana County

Santa Fe County

Socorro County

Taos County

Valencia County

1880 Census Records

All Counties

Lincoln County

Socorro County

1890 Census Records

1900 Census Records

Doña Ana County

Hidalgo County

Lincoln County

Santa Fe County

1910 Census Records

Lincoln County

Roosevelt County

Taos County

1920 Census Records

Hidalgo County

Lincoln County

Roosevelt County

Torrance County

1930 Census Records

Bernalillo County

Catron County

Colfax County

Doña Ana County

Eddy County

Guadalupe County

Hidalgo County

Lea County

Lincoln County

Luna County

McKinley County

Otero County

Quay County

Rio Arriba County

Roosevelt County

San Juan County

San Miguel County

Sandoval County

Santa Fe County

Sierra County

Torrance County

Union County

Valencia County