Are there any census records with unusual or limited returns?
Yes, the 1849 census was taken soon after Minnesota became a territory before any of its current counties had been organized. For the census the territory was divided into six districts: 1) St. Croix County, 2)La Point County, 3)the country west of the Mississippi River south of the Osakis Rapids, 4) the country west of the Mississippi River north of the Osakis Rapids, 5)the Red River of the North country and 6) settlements on the Missouri River. The last two districts include areas that later became part of North Dakota and South Dakota while the first two counties were originally part of Wisconsin Territory. The information on this census was also limited since it followed the form of earlier U.S. Censuses, listing only the names of heads of households and little other information. The 1853 census seems to have included only Washington County (mostly Stillwater) and Dakota (spelled Decota on the original) County. Members of each family are listed sequentially on this record.
