Census Records
Motley County wasn't created until 1876 so the first census is 1880. Before then, the area's inhabitants will be found in Bexar County census records.The 1880 Federal Census is the first census to ask for marital status and relationships within a household. You can search and view this census at FamilySearch.org. The 1880 for Motley County consists of one page containing information on 24 people comprising 9 households. There are 2 small children (both girls), a teenaged boy, and 4 women.
The 1890 Federal Census burned before it could be copied; there is nothing existing for Motley.
The 1900 census is the first census to ask for years married and asks women how many children they've borne and how many are living. It also asked for the month and year that each person was born, the year they immigrated and whether they own or rent their homes. There are also colums for street addresses but they were not generally used in rural areas. We have a surname index for 1900 Motley County.
1910 - This is the second census that asked for number of years married, number of children borne by females and number of living children. The index to this census is available to everyone with a free account at the LDS on-line library. There is a 1910 Head of Household Index
The 1920 census was enumerated in January and many families were missed, likely due to weather. It offers very little in the way of extra information except for the names of the roads on which the people lived. The index to this census is available to everyone with a free account at the LDS on-line library.
The 1930 offers addresses for folks in town, age at first marriage and veteran status. The index to this census is available to everyone with a free account at the LDS on-line library.
The 1940 offers addresses for folks in town, education level, residence in 1935, employment status and total income for 1939. The index to this census is available to everyone with a free account at the LDS on-line library.