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Local Census Records

Two early census records, pre-dating the federal census for Louisiana are preserved in the City Archives. The City Archives also houses several censuses taken of licensed merchants in New Orleans and its Jefferson Parish suburbs.

Note: Although Louisiana conducted several state-level censuses, the information available is statistical only. Lists of names (if any) derived from these censuses are not available.

Census of New Orleans, 1791.    Finding Aid

This census, in Spanish, is dated November 6, 1791 and arranged by street of residence of the enumerated individuals, apparently the heads of households. In addition to the named individuals, each entry also records the numbers of other members of the household by category as follows: white men, white women, free men of mixed blood, free women of mixed blood, free negro men, free negro women, male slaves of mixed blood, female slaves of mixed blood, negro male slaves, and negro female slaves. Within each of these categories, the numbers are further broken down into age groups (although the age groupings themselves are not specified). Also recorded is the occupation of each white head of household, the number of members of the militia resident in each household, and the total number of persons living in each. mf AA840

An English translation, made by the City Archives Department, is filed under call number mf AA840. The census is indexed in New Orleans Genesis, vol. 1; the original index to the census is housed at the Louisiana State Museum.

New Orleans (La.) Commissary of the Second District. Census of the Second District of the City of New Orleans, 1804.    Finding Aid

The record is in English and French and counts residents in three broad categories: whites, free persons of color, and slaves. For whites and free persons of color, the following information is recorded: the names of male residents (sometimes only a surname) and their wives (usually listed only as "Madame ...") or other adult women living in the household, the profession and employment of the male (the distinction between these two categories is blurred), the age of males and females, the number of boys and girls living in the household, and, usually, their ages. The number of male and female adult and juvenile slaves in each household is also tallied; no names are recorded for slaves. A final column, labeled "Observations," indicates the head of household's military status, listing the company in which he served.

Note: It is not clear from the record or from available sources what area of the city was encompassed by the Second District in 1804. It may correspond to the "Second Ward," identified in the Deliberations of the Cabildo as follows: "From [Cavilier's] residence on Orleans Street to Bourbon Street – follow the sidewalk to Bienville Street – down to the river, and up to the Plaza, ending at the Capital House." mf TK840 1804

New Orleans (La.) Street Commissioner’s Office. Census of Merchants and Persons Following Professions Requiring Licenses, 1855-1856.    Finding Aid

One of the varied duties of the Street Commissioner was to take a census of all persons subject to the license taxes (every March and between November 15 and December 15 of each year).

These volumes, covering only two years, give name, residence or place of business, callings or professions, number of license, amount paid, and remarks; individuals are listed together by square of property occupied; related forms are also included at the front of each volume. Volume one (1855) is for the Second Ward; volume two (1855) covers the Third Ward; and volume three (1856) is for the Third Municipal District. Indexed. mf LC840

Lafayette (La.) Commissary of Police. Census of Licensed Merchants, 1844-1846.

The City of Lafayette, covering the area now known as the Garden District and the Irish Channel, was incorporated as part of Jefferson Parish in 1833. In 1852, it was annexed to the City of New Orleans as the Fourth Municipal District. Its original boundaries were the River, Toledano Street, St. Charles Avenue, and Felicity Street. This census, arranged by type of business (e.g., coffee houses or taverns; dry goods merchants), gives the name and location of businesses, the date the license was issued, the term of the license, and its expiration date. mf II LM430 1841-1849

Carrollton (La.) Census, 1854-1857.

The City of Carrollton was incorporated in 1845 as part of Jefferson Parish and, in 1874, was annexed to the City of New Orleans. The boundaries of Carrollton were the River, the present Jefferson Parish line, the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, and Lowerline Street (and its projected extension to the Lake). This census gives the name and occupation of householders in the City of Carrollton and tallies the number of males and females in each household, and the number of children in general age groups. The names are grouped alphabetically by first letter of the name only.
Volume 1:   IV TK840 1854-1855 Unfilmed.
Volume 2:   mf IV TK840 1854-1857

Note: Several additional volumes of the Carrollton Census are housed at Tulane University.