The United States mortality index, 1850–1880, can help you find an ancestor whose death appears in a census mortality schedule. These records can offer clues when a death certificate is unavailable. Use the free lookup form below to request a name search in this collection.
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What this index covers
Federal mortality schedules for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 recorded deaths during the year before each census. They are separate from the regular population schedules. For example, the 1860 mortality schedule covers deaths from June 1, 1859, through May 31, 1860.
An entry may give a person’s name, age, birthplace, marital status, month of death, occupation, cause of death, or length of illness. Details and surviving coverage vary. The mortality index is not a continuous list of all deaths between 1850 and 1880.
How to use a possible match
Enter the ancestor’s full name and include the state, county, and approximate death date in Helpful Information. An estimated age or birthplace can help distinguish people with the same name. If you know alternate spellings, include them with your request.
Treat a mortality index result as a pointer to the schedule. Compare the person’s age and location with your existing records, then consult the original image when available. Record the census year, county, and page so you can return to the entry.
A missing result does not prove that a person was alive or living elsewhere. The death may fall outside the reporting period, the schedule may not survive, or the name may have been recorded differently. Other death, burial, probate, or church records may help you investigate further.
Please read the free lookup guidelines before submitting. Requests are for an index search for one ancestor.
Research source
National Archives guide to mortality and other nonpopulation schedules