LESSON ONE |
| In Michigan Native Americans were counted in 1850 in Wayland Township, Allegan County. In 1860 they were counted in Traverse Township, Grand Traverse County; Milton Township, Grand Traverse County (now Antrim County); Danby Township in Ionia County; Mount Pleasant Township in Isabelle County; Leelanau and Centerville Townships in Leelanau County; parts of Mason and Oceana Counties, and Garden Island in Manitou County. |
| Native Americans are found in with the other population in 1870, 1880, the 1890 Special Census, and the 1920 census. In 1900 and 1910 they were enumerated on Indian Schedules which asked additional questions. 1880 Antrim Co., 1880 Mason Co. |
| In 1900 the census asked for person's tribe; tribe of father; tribe of mother; any white blood; polygamy; taxed; year of citizenship; by allotment; home fixed or moveable. |
| In 1910 the census asked for person's tribe; tribe of father; tribe of mother; amount Indian/white/negro; times married/ polygamy; graduate of; taxed; living in own home; civilized. 1910 Leelanau Co. ; 1910 Antrim Co. |
| While the 1890 census (other than the Special Civil War Veterans and Widows schedules) no longer exists, from the Department of Interior's 1894 publication, Report on Indians Taxed and Indians Not Taxed in the U.S. at the Eleventh Census 1890 comes the number of Indians in each county. |
| Alcona 26; Alger 78; Allegan 71; Antrim 184; Arenac 120; Baraga 287; Bay 92; Berrien 32; Calhoun 71; Cass 35; Charlevoix 222; Cheboygan 132; Chippewa 441; Delta 217; Emmet 914; Grand Traverse 35; Iosco 50; Isabella 355; Kalamazoo 21; Lapeer 22; Leelanau 295; Mackinac 227; Manistee 22; Manitou 56; Marquette 56; Mason 335; Mecosta 44; menominee 129; Muskegon 32; Newaygo 18; Oceana 271; Ontonagon 59; Osceola 21; Ottawa 51; Saginaw 232; Schoolcraft 42; Tuscola 61; Van Buren 59; other counties (17 or less in each) 206 |
| Native Americans were also included on the state censuses taken in Michigan in 1874, 1884 and 1894. Unfortunately these census records have not survived for all counties and all years. Not all townships are represented in those censuses that have survived. Those that have been found are: |
| Allegan - 1894 Barry - 1884, 1894 Bay - 1884, 1894 Benzie - 1884, 1894 Dickinson - 1894 Eaton - 1874 Emmet - 1884 Gratiot - 1894 Hillsdale - 1884, 1894 Houghton - 1874 Ingham - 1884, 1894 Iosco - 1894 Isabella - 1884, 1894 Jackson - 1884, 1894 Kalamazoo - 1884, 1894 Kent - 1884, 1894 Keweenaw - 1884, 1894 Lapeer - 1884, 1894 Leelanau - 1894 Menominee - 1884, 1894 Midland - 1894 Montcalm - 1884, 1894 Muskegon - 1884, 1894 Newaygo - 1884, 1894 Ottawa - 1884, 1894 Roscommon - 1884 St. Clair - 1884, 1894 St. Joseph - 1884, 1894 |
| When using a census record it may be necessary to look at entire families in order to find the family you are researching. It is possible to find the head of household using his or her Indian name in one census, English name in another census and a combination of the two in still another census. Look at the names and ages of the children, compared with the information learned on those children from other sources to construct the different family identities. |