Territorial Censuses (1752-1819) and Tax Lists (1814-1821)
The first known census for inhabitants of what would later become Missouri was taken by France in 1752 for Ste. Genevieve. Only eight heads of households are listed; the total census includes 23 individuals.
France transferred the Louisiana Territory to Spain in 1763. Spain conducted several censuses, the first in 1770. By 1791, Missouri’s population had grown to 326 households and 2,556 individuals. In all, Spanish censuses were taken in 1770, 1779, 1791, 1794, 1795, 1796, and 1797. The Archives has transcriptions of the 1752, 1791 and 1797 censuses.
Spain controlled the Territory until October 1800 when it was sold back to France. A census was taken in December of that year. The United States bought the entire Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, the same year as the final French census. The first census for an American Missouri Territory occurred in October 1814. The Territorial General Assembly required a census to be taken every two years after that: 1816, 1818, 1820, etc. The 1814, 1816, and 1820 censuses have not survived. A portion of the 1818 census – Ste. Genevieve only – does exist. These territorial censuses list names of heads of households only.
Territorial tax lists are good substitutes when census records are form not available. Several are available from the Archives (see the list below). Tax lists include the name of the head of the household as well as the value of their property. Additional territorial tax lists may be available in local courthouses or on Archives’ microfilm.
To request a search of a census or tax list, please complete and submit a research request. In addition, fillable sample forms can be downloaded and/or printed.
Censuses | Tax List
Territorial Censuses
| Year | District/Area | Reel Number | Transcribed? | Sample Form |
|---|
| 1732 |
Illinois Country (no MO content) |
On DVD |
No |
|
| 1752 |
Ste. Genevieve |
#C9991 |
Yes |
Click for PDF |
| 1766 |
Spanish Louisiana Territories |
On DVD |
Partial |
Click for Details |
| 1770 |
Ste. Genevieve |
On DVD |
No |
|
| St. Louis |
On DVD |
No |
| 1779 |
Ste. Genevieve |
On DVD |
No |
|
| St. Louis |
On DVD |
No |
| 1787 |
Ste. Genevieve |
On DVD |
No |
|
| St. Louis |
On DVD |
No |
| 1791 |
St. Louis |
On DVD |
Yes |
|
| St. Ferdinand (Florissant) |
On DVD |
Yes |
| St. Charles |
On DVD |
Yes |
| Vide Poche (Carondelet) |
On DVD |
Yes |
| Meramec to Platin Creek |
On DVD |
Yes |
| Ste. Genevieve and Its Districts |
On DVD |
Yes |
| St. Louis and Its Districts (Products)* |
On DVD |
No |
| 1792 |
New Madrid |
On DVD |
No |
|
| 1793 |
New Madrid |
On DVD |
No |
|
| 1794 |
New Madrid |
On DVD |
No |
|
| 1795 |
New Madrid |
On DVD |
No |
|
| 1796 |
New Madrid |
On DVD |
No |
|
| 1797 |
New Madrid |
#C9991 |
Yes |
Click for PDF |
| 1800 |
Cape Girardeau |
#C9991 |
Yes |
Click for PDF |
| St. Louis** |
#C9991 |
N/A |
Click for PDF |
| 1803 |
Cape Girardeau |
On DVD |
Yes |
|
| New Madrid |
On DVD |
Yes |
|
| 1817 |
St. Charles*** |
Print |
Yes |
|
| 1818 |
Ste. Genevieve |
#C9991 |
No |
|
| 1819 |
St. Charles*** |
Print |
Yes |
|
*this is a list of products (animal pelts, crops, and lead) for St. Louis and its districts; no names included
**aggregate data only; no names included
***the Archives has a printed transcription of this document on the county shelf
Censuses | Tax List
Tax Lists
| Year | County | Reel | Transcribed? |
|---|
| 1814 |
Arkansas* |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1814 |
Arkansas* |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1814 |
Cape Girardeau |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1814 |
St. Charles |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1814 |
Washington |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1814-7 |
New Madrid (non-resident) |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1815-8 |
New Madrid (non-resident) |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1815 |
Arkansas* |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1815 |
Lawrence* |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1815 |
Cape Girardeau |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1815 |
New Madrid |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1816 |
New Madrid (non-resident) |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1816 |
Arkansas* |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1816 |
Lawrence* |
On CD |
Yes |
| 1821 |
Ste. Genevieve |
On CD |
Yes |
*a majority of Territorial Arkansas and Lawrence Counties are now located in the state of Arkansas