Census Records In Argentina

Census records are a cornerstone for genealogy, offering snapshots of families and individuals at specific points in time. In Argentine genealogy, censuses play a key role in tracing ancestors’ locations, household compositions, and personal details such as age, origin, and occupation. Argentina’s census-taking history spans from colonial-era padrones (population registers) to modern national censuses. The first national census was conducted in 1869, followed by periodic counts thereafter. These records can reveal valuable information – names, ages, marital status, birthplaces, etc. – that helps genealogists fill gaps and corroborate other sources. However, historically Argentine census records were underutilized, as civil and church records often took precedence. Not all census returns survived or are accessible (the 1869 and 1895 national censuses are the only ones fully preserved with individual data). Understanding the context and availability of Argentina’s censuses is crucial for using them effectively in family history research.

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Census by Time PeriodCensus by Time Period

Colonial-Era Censuses: During Spanish colonial rule, authorities and the Church conducted occasional population counts. In 1776, the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata was established, and King Carlos III ordered regular censuses in the colonies. This led to the 1778 census, the first official count of the region’s inhabitants. The 1778 “Censo de Vértiz” enumerated population by areas in what is now Argentina, recording about 186,000 persons (e.g. ~40,200 in Córdoba province, ~37,100 in Buenos Aires province). Colonial censuses often categorized people by race or status (Spaniards, Indigenous, Mestizos, enslaved Africans, etc.) reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. The Catholic Church also compiled ecclesiastical padrones (parish censuses) of inhabitants; for example, the Diocese of Córdoba took parish censuses between 1779–1796 listing local families. These early counts provided baseline demographics and are of interest for deep historical research, though they were limited in detail compared to later censuses.

19th-Century Local Censuses (Pre-National): Before national censuses began, several provincial and municipal counts took place. Notably, the city of Buenos Aires (then separate from the Argentine Confederation) held a municipal census in 1855. Conducted on October 17, 1855, it counted 94,000 residents in Buenos Aires, and its individual census returns (names of inhabitants, etc.) survive and can be consulted today. In the interior provinces, the Argentine Confederation government carried out a census in 1857 covering eight provinces (Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe, Córdoba, San Luis, Mendoza, Santiago del Estero, and Tucumán). This 1857 confederation census, considered the first general census of a large part of Argentina, recorded about 1.21 million inhabitants (including indigenous people) in those provinces. Some provinces also undertook their own counts; for example, Santa Fe conducted a provincial census in 1887, its first general census as a province. These local censuses gathered population data (names, ages, occupations, etc.) at the city or provincial level and often served administrative or planning purposes. They are significant to genealogists if an ancestor lived in a place and time not covered by a national census.

First National Census (1869): Argentina’s first national census was carried out September 15–17, 1869, under President Domingo F. Sarmiento. This milestone census enumerated approximately 1.83 million people across the country. It primarily counted the “civilized” population – whites and indigenous people who were settled or assimilated (indigenous groups living in remote regions were largely excluded). The 1869 census collected each person’s name, surname, sex, age, marital status, occupation, birthplace, and other details like religion and literacy. It was organized into geographic districts, with the country divided into five census districts plus three “national territories” (frontier regions not yet provinces). This census provides a crucial snapshot of mid-19th-century families soon after massive European immigration had begun. Genealogists can find entire household listings, often inferring family relationships from the grouping of names. The original 1869 census manuscripts survive and are available – they are kept at the National Archives in Buenos Aires and have been microfilmed and digitized for research. Indexed records and images of the 1869 census can be searched online through genealogy websites.

Second National Census (1895): The 1895 national census (May 10, 1895) was Argentina’s second nationwide count, led by President José E. Uriburu. It came at the height of European immigration, and the population had more than doubled to about 4.04 million inhabitants. This census gathered similar information as 1869 – including names, ages, occupations, education level, birthplace (with country of origin for immigrants), years in Argentina (for foreign-born), marital status, and any physical disabilities. By 1895, roughly a quarter of Argentina’s population was foreign-born, so this census is rich in data on immigrant ancestors. In fact, later analysis showed by the 1914 census about 30% of the population was foreign-born (50% in Buenos Aires city), reflecting the trends already evident in 1895. The 1895 census was very comprehensive for its time and was divided into districts and territories like the first census. Surviving records of the 1895 census are preserved at the National Archives and have been digitized; researchers today can access indexed, name-by-name records of 1895 online. This census is a key resource for finding families in late 19th-century Argentina, including locating immigrant ancestors soon after their arrival.

Third National Census (1914): Argentina delayed its next census until 1914 (June 1, 1914), making it the third national census. The population at that time reached about 7.9 million. The 1914 census was even more detailed, including extensive questionnaires on population as well as agriculture, industry, and other socio-economic data (published in multiple volumes). For genealogists, the 1914 census would provide names, family members, ages, birthplaces, and possibly information on nationality and literacy, similar to earlier ones. However, access to individual records from 1914 is limited – unlike 1869 and 1895, the original 1914 census schedules were not widely reproduced. The compiled statistics were published, but the detailed returns remain archived. Census records from 1914 are available only at the Archivo General de la Nación (AGN) in Buenos Aires and were not microfilmed for public use. Researchers needing 1914 data may have to consult the AGN or published summaries (for example, statistical tables by locality).

Later Censuses (1947–Present): After a long gap, Argentina resumed national counts with the 1947 census (the 4th national census, under President Juan D. Perón). Taken in April–May 1947, it counted about 15.9 million people. From this point, Argentina aimed for more regular census intervals. The 5th census in 1960 (20 million population) was the first of a roughly decennial schedule. Subsequent censuses took place in 1970, 1980, 1991, 2001, and 2010, reflecting the country’s growth (e.g. 27.9 million in 1980; 36.3 million in 2001). The most recent census was conducted in 2022, recording a population of about 46 million Argentines. These 20th and 21st century censuses collected not only population counts but also data on housing, education, and economic factors, evolving into the modern “Censo de Población, Hogares y Viviendas” format. For privacy reasons, detailed personal information from mid-20th-century and later censuses is not generally available to genealogists. Typically, only aggregated statistical results are published for recent censuses. Thus, for family history purposes the most useful national census records are the older ones (1869 and 1895, and to a lesser extent 1914 and 1947) which are old enough to be open for research. Provincial censuses, like Santa Fe 1887 or others, can also be valuable where they exist, and those records are usually held in provincial archives.

How to Find Argentina Census RecordsHow to Find Argentina Census Records

Locating Argentine census records requires knowing which archives or databases hold the surviving documents:

Archivo General de la Nación (AGN), Buenos Aires: The AGN is the primary repository for national historical records, including census returns. The original 1869 and 1895 census books are available for public inspection at the AGN (7th floor “Censos” section). The AGN also holds many earlier censos y padrones from the colonial and early national period (there are guides to census records 1776–1852 available). Researchers can contact the AGN to view these materials. For example, the 1855 Buenos Aires city census and the 1914 national census schedules are stored in the AGN’s collections. If visiting in person is not possible, it’s worth checking the AGN’s online catalog or publications for any digitized census materials.
Provincial and Municipal Archives: Several provinces maintain archives that preserve local census records or padrones. The Archivo General de la Provincia de Santa Fe, for instance, has the nominative padrones (name lists) from its 1887 provincial census, and has digitized and indexed them for online access. Other provinces like Córdoba, San Luis, etc., may have 19th-century census or padrón records in their historical archives or museums. For example, records of provincial censuses and town enumerations (sometimes called memorias or estadísticas) might be found in provincial archives’ collections. It’s advisable to contact the relevant provincial archive or consult their websites for any census databases. Some municipal archives or local libraries might hold copies of historic censuses for their city or town as well.
FamilySearch (LDS) Collections: The FamilySearch Library (run by the LDS Church) has microfilmed many Argentine census records and offers them online for free. Notably, FamilySearch provides images and indexed records for the 1869 and 1895 national censuses, as well as the 1855 Buenos Aires census and some colonial-era enumerations. For example, “Argentina, National Census, 1869”, “Argentina, National Census, 1895”, “Argentina, Capital Federal Census, 1855”, and “Argentina, Córdoba Censuses, 1778–1874” are searchable collections on FamilySearch. Researchers can search these databases by name or browse the digitized images. FamilySearch also has catalog entries for the 1914 census (though only viewable at the Family History Library or affiliate centers, since that census is not widely published). Utilizing FamilySearch’s free resources is one of the easiest ways to access Argentine census data from abroad.
MyHeritage and Other Genealogy Websites: MyHeritage hosts indexed collections of Argentine censuses, which are very useful for name searches. MyHeritage’s 1895 Argentina National Census collection contains ~3.88 million records, the 1869 National Census has ~1.76 million records, and the 1855 Buenos Aires census ~132,000 records. These databases (accessible with a MyHeritage data subscription) allow genealogists to search by ancestor name and find transcribed details from the census, often linked to the original image. FamilySearch, as mentioned, offers these records free; MyHeritage and provides alternative platforms with possibly enhanced search features or integrations with family trees. For those with Argentine ancestry, checking MyHeritage’s census collections can quickly reveal family groups in 1869 or 1895.

Civil Registries and Local Libraries: While civil registry offices (Registro Civil) primarily hold birth, marriage, and death records, sometimes local civil authorities or libraries have copies of old census lists, especially if they were used for administrative purposes (like voter lists, etc.). It can be worthwhile to inquire at a town’s municipal office or library about any preserved historical censuses or resident registries. In smaller towns, church parishes might hold parish censuses or family registries that served a similar purpose as a census (listing all families in the parish by household). These are not government censuses but can be found in parish archives or diocesan archives and can complement census research.
Online Digital Libraries and Archives: Some Argentine institutions have digitized historical census publications. For example, the statistical volumes of the 1869, 1895, 1914, 1947 and other censuses have been scanned by universities and are available online (such as via the Province of Mendoza’s website or the Santa Fe Institute of Statistics). These published reports contain summary tables (population totals, demographic breakdowns) rather than individual names. They are useful for understanding context or finding data on a specific town (e.g., how many people lived in a certain city in 1869). The INDEC (National Institute of Statistics and Censuses) and some provincial statistics bureaus provide historical census results on their websites. Genealogists might use those to get background information, but for individual names and family data, one must refer to the original census returns or indexed databases described above.

Tip: Always verify what you find in online indexes against the original images when possible. The FamilySearch and MyHeritage collections provide images of the actual census sheets, which are invaluable for reading any details that might have been mis-transcribed. Original records are in Spanish, so use the column headings as a guide (many sites provide translations or you can refer to a Spanish genealogical word list).

Tips for Using Argentine Census RecordsTips for Using Argentine Census Records

Using Argentine census records effectively requires some understanding of historical context and conventions:

Interpreting Data and Family Structure: Argentine census forms did not always explicitly state relationships between members of a household. Individuals were usually listed together by household, often starting with the head (jefe) followed by spouse, children, other relatives or boarders. It’s up to the researcher to infer relationships based on ages, surnames, and order. Pay attention to ages and marital status – these help identify spouses and potential parent-child groupings. Ages in early censuses could be inexact, but they can help estimate birth years. The 1869 and 1895 censuses, for example, list each person’s age (in years) and often their civil status (soltero/single, casado/married, viudo/widowed). Use this information alongside other records (like birth or marriage certificates) to confirm identities. Remember that census data may contain errors or omissions: the information was given to the census taker possibly by any household member or even a neighbor, so ages or spellings might be off. Always corroborate key details with other sources.
Historical Naming Conventions: Be mindful of Spanish naming customs when searching census records. Argentine individuals traditionally have two surnames (paternal and maternal), but in many 19th-century records, only the first (paternal) surname might be recorded. Women kept their maiden surnames in official records – a married woman might not be listed under her husband’s last name, but under her own surname. For example, a household could show Juan Pérez and his wife María Gómez – if you’re expecting to find María under Juan’s surname Pérez, you might overlook her. Also, given names might appear in Spanish forms (Guillermo for William, Mateo for Matthew, etc.), so consider variations. It’s useful to familiarize yourself with common Spanish abbreviations on census forms: e.g., “H” or “M” for sex (hombre/male or mujer/female), “Sol.” or “Cas.” for single or married, “Nac.” for birthplace (nacionalidad/origen). Understanding these terms will help you read the entries correctly.
Language and Terminology: The censuses were conducted in Spanish, so expect the headings and notes to be in Spanish. Common column headers include Nombre y Apellido (Name and Surname), Edad (Age), Estado Civil (Marital Status), Profesión u Ocupación (Occupation), Nacionalidad or Lugar de Nacimiento (Nationality or place of birth), Religión, Instrucción (can read/write or education level), etc. If you encounter unfamiliar terms, especially older occupational titles or categories (for example, jornalero for day-laborer, peón for farm hand, criollo meaning locally-born of European descent, etc.), consult a genealogical glossary or Spanish-English dictionary. Regional terms may appear for ethnic groups (e.g., colla for indigenous people of northwest Argentina, gaucho for cowboy) – these provide context about your ancestor’s community. Being comfortable with basic Spanish genealogy terms will greatly smooth your research. Many online resources provide translations for census column headings; you might keep such a reference handy when reviewing images.
Combine Census Data with Other Records: Census findings are most powerful when cross-referenced with other sources. Once you locate an ancestor in a census, use the data as clues for further research. For example, if the 1895 census lists an ancestor’s birthplace as Italy or Spain (common for many immigrants), you can then seek immigration and passenger records to find when they arrived in Argentina. The census might also note an arrival year or years of residence in country (e.g., some 1895 forms recorded how many years the person had been in Argentina), which narrows your search for ship manifests. If a census gives ages and family relationships, you can estimate birth years and then look for church baptism records or civil birth registrations for those individuals. Likewise, use marital status and ages of children to guide you to marriage records or earlier/later census entries. The 1869 and 1895 censuses often serve as a bridge between church records (which in Argentina begin in the 1700s and 1800s) and later civil registrations (which started roughly in 1886 nationwide). For instance, you might find a couple with young children in 1869; you could then find the marriage in church records in the 1860s and baptisms for the children. Or if you find a widowed person in a census, that prompts a search for a spouse’s death record in civil or church archives.
Contextualize with History: Understanding the historical context of each census will help interpret the data. Recognize, for example, that the 1869 census occurred when the country’s frontiers were still expanding – indigenous people on the frontiers were not fully counted, so if you have indigenous ancestry, they might not appear by name until later censuses or special indigenous censuses (there was a separate Indigenous Census in 1966–67). The massive immigration wave from 1880–1914 means you may suddenly see foreign-born names appearing in a family line between the 1895 and 1914 censuses. Additionally, boundaries changed: some areas that were “National Territories” (like Misiones, Chaco, Patagonia regions) became provinces later – in earlier censuses, residents there might be listed under territory sections. Always note the geographic location given and consider any changes in province or territory names over time. For example, if an ancestor is in the 1895 census listed in “Territorio Nacional de Misiones,” by 1947 that area is the province of Misiones – this matters when you go looking for other local records.
Use of Statistical Data: While individual census returns are gold for genealogists, don’t overlook published census summaries for insights. These can tell you things like the population size of your ancestor’s town, predominant occupations, or literacy rates in their area. For instance, the 1869 census report might reveal that your ancestor’s small town had only 500 inhabitants, mostly farmers, or that 1914 census data show a large percentage of foreigners in a city where your family lived. Such context enriches your family story. It can also explain possible gaps: if a region shows a low population in one census and a big jump by the next, perhaps people moved in (or out), or the area only got enumerated later (e.g., after frontier lands were settled).

ConclusionConclusion

Finally, as with any genealogical source, evaluate the reliability of census information. Ages can be off, names misspelled (especially for immigrants – listen for phonetic variants), and sometimes individuals might be counted in unexpected places (someone working away from home, etc.). Use census records in conjunction with birth, marriage, death records, immigration documents, and church records to build a well-supported family history. Argentine census records, when available, are a powerful tool – they put your ancestors in a specific place and time, and when used carefully, they can unlock new paths for your genealogical research.

Explore more about Argentina census recordsExplore more about Argentina census records

Archivo General de la Nación - https://www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/archivo-general-de-la-nacion
Censos De Población En La Argentina - https://censo.gob.ar/index.php/historia/
Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos de la República Argentina: The National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC) - https://www.indec.gob.ar/indec/web/Institucional-Indec-QuienesSomos

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