The database was compiled by Albert Plant, Jr., Eugene Felsman, Jani Costilla and Robert Bigart.

Before 1924, the decennial United States Census of Population counted only United States citizens, so Indian people in tribal relations were not included, because they were not citizens. In 1900 and 1910, however, special Indian censuses were conducted on reservations including the Flathead Indian Reservation. The original 1900 Flathead Reservation census forms have been published in microfilm: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 12th Census of Population, 1900, National Archives Microfilm Publication T623, reel 913, Missoula County. The original 1910 Flathead Reservation census forms have been published in microfilm: U.S. Bureau of the Census, “13th Census, 1910,” National Archives Microfilm Publication T624, Montana, reels 834 (Missoula County), 832 (Flathead County), and 835 (Sanders County).

The 1905 Downs enrollment has been published in U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, “Selected Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Relating to Enrollment of Indians on the Flathead Indian Reservation, 1903-1908,” National Archives Microfilm Publication M1350, reel 1, frames 1-79.

The database has been checked, but entry mistakes may have been missed. Viewers are encouraged to use the censuses corroborated by other sources and are also encouraged to refer back to the microfilms of the original sources.

Viewers also need to be aware that the original census takers also made mistakes in 1900 and 1910. For example, the 1900 census taker listed some of the Lumprys as white, despite their father being part Indian and their mother a full blood Indian.

Viewers with questions or comments should contact Bob Bigart at bob_bigart@skc.edu.

Al Anderson, Salish Kootenai College, wrote and maintains this web application.