Indian School Service Employee Roster Codebook
The organization of categories in this codebook reflects the order of the columns in the
original documents with some additional inferred columns where relevant.
Format:
Column label – (source of information in the column) description of the information provided
Factor levels: ranges of values, explanation of abbreviations if relevant
Sources:
(ISS) – the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
(census) – United States census data from 1880 and 1900 accessed through Ancestry.com
(inferred from census) - information not directly transferred from a column in the census, but
rather inferred by the data enterer
Instructions for the enumerators of the 1900 census can be found at:
http://usa.ipums.org/usa/voliii/inst1900.shtml
Note: 1. Categories that have large numbers of values for practicality, have been labeled
“Factor levels: numerous”
2. *# -- please see footnote for notes and warnings about these categories
1900 Dataset
No. – order of individuals in the ISS report
Factor levels: 1 - 2138
Last Name – (ISS) the surname of individuals as listed in the annual report
Factor levels – numerous
First Name - (ISS) the first name of individuals as listed in the annual report
Factor levels - numerous
Sex ISS – (ISS) the sex of the individual as listed in the annual report
Factor levels: F – female
M – male
Race ISS – (ISS) the race of an individual as indicated in the annual report
Factor levels: chinese, half-breed, mexican, negro, white
Salary ($) – (ISS) the salary per year in dollars
Factor levels: 100 - 2000
pyr/pm – (ISS) – the form of salary payment of the individual
Factor levels: pm – per month
pyr – per year
Position – (ISS) occupation of the individual as reported in the annual report
Factor Level – numerous
Date of Appt – (ISS) the date on which the individual was appointed to their position *1
Factor Level - numerous
School of Employ – (ISS) – abbreviation for the school at which the individual is employed
Factor levels: (see agency/school document)
Agency – (ISS) if working at a school that operates under the management of a Bureau of
Indian Affairs agency, the associated agency and the state in which the agency is located
Factor levels: (see agency/school document)
type of school – (inferred from ISS) the type of school at which the individual works
Factor levels: day school, field, non reservation boarding, reservation boarding
City/Township – (census) – the city or township in which the individual resides
Factor levels – numerous
County – (census) – the county in which the individual resides
Factor levels – numerous
State – (census) – the state or territory in which the individual resides
Factor levels – numerous
Alt. Spelling Census – indicates differences in how an individuals name is recorded in the
census as compared to the ISS roster
Factor levels: numerous
Rltn to Head – (census) the relation of the individual to the head of the household *2
Factor levels – numerous
Race Census – (census) the race of the individual as listed in the census
Factor levels: black, chinese, indian, white
Sex Census – (census) the sex of the individual as listed in the census
Factor levels: F – female
M - male
DOB month – (census) the month in which the individual was born
Factor levels: 1 (January)  12 (December)
DOB year – (census) the year in which the individual was born
Factor levels: 1830-1891
Age @ last BD – (census) - the age in years of the individual at his or her last birthday
Factor level: 9 - 69
Marital Status – (census) the marital status of the individual
Factor levels: divorced, married, single, or widowed
Years Married – (census) the number of years married (to present husband or wife)
Factor levels: 0 - 41
# in Hshld – (inferred from census) count by data enterer of the number of people living in
the same household
Factor levels: 1 -16
# Kin – (inferred from census) count by data enterer of the number of the people living in the
same household who are kin of the individual in question.
Factor levels: 0 - 9
# Children – (inferred from census) count by data enterer of the number of children of the
individual who are living in the household. This value does not include children have moved
out or died.
Factor levels: 0 - 7
# Dpndnts – (inferred from census) count by data enterer of the number of the people living
in the same household who are a dependent of the individual
Factor levels: 0 - 8
Family link – (inferred from census) a code developed to link related individuals. Each pair
or group has a four letter code for the agency (or if the school operates outside an agency,
the school) where the individuals work. Each pair is then numbered within the agency to give
a count of the number of different family groups employed in each school or agency.
Factor levels: (see agency/school document)
Certainty – describes how certain the data enterer is regarding the relation marked in the
family series.
Factor levels - Y – certain - the individuals are explicitly connected in the census
(adjacent to one another with shared surname and relationship described in the
relation to the head of household column)
T – tentative – the individuals share a surname but either census information
was missing for one or both individuals or the relationship was inferred by the
data enterer (from the place of birth of the parents and the age difference
between potential siblings)
POB – (census) the place of birth of the individual (state or territory if born in the United
States, country if born abroad)
Factor levels – numerous
POB Father – (census) the place of birth of father of the individual (state or territory if born in
the United States, country if born abroad)
Factor levels – numerous
POB Mother – (census) the place of birth of mother of the individual (state or territory if born
in the United States, country if born abroad)
Factor levels – numerous
POB_R – (aggregated from POB)- the region of birth of the individual
Factor Levels: US PL – (Plains): KS, NE, ND, OK, SD, TX
US S – (South): AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
US MW – (Midwest): IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI
US NE – (Northeast): CT, DE, ME, MA. NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
US FW – (Far West): AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY
FOREIGN – other countries
POB Father_R – (aggregated from POB Father) the region of birth of father of the individual
Factor levels: same as POB_R
POB Mother_R – (aggregated from POB Mother) the region of birth of mother of the
individual
Factor levels: same as POB_R
Yr. Imm to US – (census) – if the individual was born abroad, the year he or she entered the
United States.
Factor levels: 1846 - 1890
Yrs in US – (census) - if the individual was born abroad, the number of years since his or her
arrival in the United States
Factor levels: 10 - 48
Naturalization – (census) the state of the individual’s progress toward US naturalization; this
column only applies to foreign-born males 21 years of age and older
Factor Levels: Na – If he was born abroad and “he has become a full citizen by taking
out second or final papers of naturalization”
Pa – If he was born abroad, “has declared his intention to become an
American citizen and taken out his "first" papers””
no – If he was born abroad and has not become an American citizen *3
blank – “if the person is a native of the United States”
Occupation – (census) the self-reported occupation of the individual
Factor levels: numerous
Attd School (mths) – (census) the number of months (or parts of months) of school attended
during the school year ending June 1, 1900.
Factor levels: 0
: the individual was of school age but did not attend school
1 – 12: number of months of school attendance
blank : the individual was not of school age
> 12 : *4
Read – (census) – indicates whether an individual over the age of 10 can read in any
language
Factor levels: N – no
Y – yes
Write – (census) - indicates whether an individual over the age of 10 can write in any
language
Factor levels: N – no
Y – yes
Spk English – (census) – indicates whether an individual over the age of 10 can speak
English
Factor levels: N – no
Y – yes
Owned/Rented – (census) – whether the home of the individual is owned or rented
Factor Levels: O – owned “the title, in whole or in part, is vested in any member of the
family (not a boarder) by which the house is occupied,” “any member
of the family has a life interest or estate in it; or it is occupied by a
settler on the public domain who has not "proved up;" or if it is held
under a contract or bond for a deed, or occupied for redemption
purposes after having been sold for debt. It is not necessary that full
payment for the property should have been made.”
R – rented
gov bldg – government building *5
Form of Hous. – (census) – specifies whether the owned or rented house of the individual
includes a farm or is just a house
Factor levels: F – farm
H – house
gov bldg, govt school building *6
Special Inquiries Related to Indians –
In 1900, this extra section of the census recorded additional information about native
people
Native Name – (census) – the native name of the individual
Factor levels – numerous
Tribe – (census) – the tribal affiliation of the individual
Factor levels – numerous
Tribe Father – (census) – the tribal affiliation of the father of the individual
Factor levels – numerous
Tribe Mother – (census) – the tribal affiliation of the mother of the individual
Factor levels – numerous
% White – (census) – the percentage of “white” blood
Factor levels – 0 - 0.94
Taxed – (census) – whether or not an indian individual is taxed
Factor levels: no – not subject to taxation, “an Indian on a reservation, without an
allotment, or roaming over unsettled territory”
yes – “subject to taxation whether he or she actually pays taxes or not,”
an Indian “detached from his or her tribe and living among white
people as an individual” or “living with his or her tribe but has
received an allotment of land, and thereby has acquired citizenship”
Year Acq Ctznshp – (census) - the year the individual acquired citizenship if “born in tribal
relations”
Factor levels: 1843 – 1899
Acqd by Alltmnt? – (census) - indicates the method through which the indian individual
acquired citizenship
Factor levels: yes – acquired citizenship through “receiving an allotment of land from
the government”
no – acquired citizenship by other means
blank – has not acquired citizenship yet *7
Fixed/ Movable – (census) - describes the type of housing the individual occupies
Factor levels: movable – “tent, teepee, or other movable structure”
fixed – “a permanent dwelling of any kind”
Extra Columns –
calculations and comparisons performed with the data
Lkd?
Factor levels: 0= linked
1= not linked
NS? – (Native Schedule)?
Factor levels: 0= on native schedule
1= note on native schedule (native schedule exists)
2= no native schedule
3= information not linked
Discrepancy? -Factor levels: 0=yes
1=no
employed 1894 – indicates whether the individual was employed in the school service in
1894
Factor levels: N – no
Y – yes
familyworking1894 – indicates individuals in 1894 who were noted using family series to
have some sort of relation (parent, child, sibling, spouse) working at the same school in 1900
Factor levels: N – no relation working at the same school 1900
Y – only one member of a pair found in 1900 are working in 1894
B – both member of a pair found in 1900 are working in 1894
POE = POB – indicates whether the state in which an individual is employed is the same as
the state in which the individual was born
Factor levels:
y= yes
n= no
b= no place of birth known
POE = POB + surroundings – indicates whether the state in which an individual is
employed is either the same as the state in which the individual was born or an adjacent state
Factor levels:
y= yes
n= no
b= no place of birth known
*1 – it is not clear whether the date represents when the individual entered the service, started
working at the school, started at their present position, or is an inconsistent mixture.
*2 – in 1900 there was not a standardized way of notating residents of boarding houses, the
housing situation of many of the school service staff. It was at the discretion of the
enumerator to decide on a method thus “boarder,” “lodger,” “employee,” “head,” occupation,
and at one school “son” or “daughter” all seem to refer to similar housing situations. It may
be possible to infer which were boarders but this would involve going back through the
original documents again.
*3 – in the original instructions the options were Na, Pa, and Al – “If he was born abroad, and
has taken no steps toward becoming an American citizen” It has been left as “no” in the
database since not naturalized does not necessarily mean “no steps” taken, it could also
imply not yet having finished the paperwork
*4 – if the enumerators were following the instructions, the range of months should not have
exceeded twelve. This data still holds potentially interesting information, but it is not the data
which the census originally intended to be gathered.
*5 – this category was not an option in the enumerator instructions therefore it may not
represent a proper sample of those living in government buildings.
*6 – Since according to the instructions, this column was apt to be interpreted as not being
applicable in a living environment as one would expect in the boarding schools, gov bldg,
govt school bldg may not capture the full population of this value.
*7 – The difference in the number of total responses between Yr Acq Ctznshp and Acqd by
Alltmnt suggests that some or all of the “no” value involves enumerator error, representing
people who have not acquired citizenship rather than people who have citizenship just not by
allotment.
1894 Dataset
No. – order of individuals in the ISS report
Factor level: 1 - 1730
Last Name – (ISS) the surname of individuals as listed in the annual report
Factor levels – numerous
First Name - (ISS) the first name of individuals as listed in the annual report
Factor levels – numerous
Position – (ISS) the occupation of the individual as reported in the annual report
Factor Level – numerous
Salary ($) – (ISS) - salary per year in dollars
Factor levels: 12 - 2000
Sex ISS – (ISS) the sex of the individual as listed in the annual report
Factor levels: F – female
M – male
Race ISS – (ISS) the race of an individual as listed in the annual report
Factor levels: chinese, half-breed, indian, mexican, negro, white
Date of Appt – (ISS) The date on which the individual was appointed to their current (1894)
position
Factor Level - numerous
School of Employ – (ISS) – abbreviation for the school at which the individual is employed
Factor levels: (see agency/school document)
Agency – (ISS) if the individual is working at a school that operates under the management
of a Bureau of Indian Affairs agency, the associated agency and the state in which the
agency is located
Factor levels: (see agency/school document)
type of school – (inferred from ISS) - type of school at which the individual works
Factor levels: day school, field, non reservation boarding, reservation boarding
employed ISS 1900 – indicates whether the individual was employed in the school service in
1900
Factor levels: N – no
M – maybe – there are significant differences in the way the name of the
linked individual is spelled.
Y – yes
1900 census info – indicates individuals who have been linked to though 1900 census
though they were no longer working for the service
Factor levels: C – linked because they are related to someone working in 1900 (proximity
in the census record)
G – linked based entirely on information from 1894 (unusual characteristics
or proximity in 1900 to another employee with a common surname) and
therefore a guess
Alt. Spelling 1900– indicates differences in how an individual’s name is recorded in the 1900
ISS as compared to the 1894 ISS roster
Factor levels: numerous
Alt. Spelling Census – indicates differences in how an individual’s name is recorded in the
1900 Census as compared to the 1900 ISS roster
Factor levels: numerous
For the remaining variables, see the 1900 dataset. In the 1894 datasets, the column titles
pertaining to 1900 ISS and census information are prefixed by 00 in order to keep them
straight from similar columns of data from 1894.
1894/1900 Dataset – extra columns
transfersch - records whether an individual is working at the same school in 1900 as in
1894.
Factor levels: 0 = yes, same school, no movement
1 = no, different school, transfer has occured
transferag - records whether an individual is working for the same agency in 1900 as in
1894. Some issues with changes in the organization of agencies in the intervening period and
does not record very much change.
Factor levels: 0 = yes, same agency
1 = no, different agency
transferst - records whether an individual is working in the same state in 1900 as in 1894.
Factor levels: 0 = yes, same state
1 = no, different state
transfersta – (interpretation of transfersch and transferst) records the amount which an
individual has moved between 1884 and 1900
Factor levels: different school, different state
different school, same state
same school
1885 Dataset
No. – order of individuals in the ISS report
Factor levels: 1 -1125
Last Name – (ISS) surname of individuals as listed in the annual report
Factor levels – numerous
First Name - (ISS) first name of individuals as listed in the annual report
Factor levels - numerous
Repeat – indicates whether the individual is listed multiple times on the roster
Factor Levels: *1 – first appearance
*2 – second appearance
:
:
*6 – sixth appearance
Sex ISS – (ISS) sex of the individual as listed in the annual report
Factor levels: F – female
M – male
Race ISS – (ISS) race of an individual as indicated in the annual report
Factor levels: chinese, half-breed, indian, negro, white
Age ISS - (ISS) the age of the individual
Factor levels: 15 – 67
DOB Inferred – (ISS) the year of birth for an individual calculated based on age given in the
annual roster.
Factor levels: 1818 - 1870
Married or single - (ISS) the marital status of the individual
Factor levels: M – married
S – single
Wid – widow
Position – (ISS) the occupation of the individual as reported in the annual report
Factor Level – numerous
School of Employ – (ISS) the name of the school at which the individual is employed as
written in the roster
Factor levels: numerous
school code – (ISS) abbreviation for the school at which the individual is employed
Factor levels: (see agency/school document)
Agency – (ISS) if the individual is working at a school that operates under the management
of a Bureau of Indian Affairs agency, the associated agency and the state or territory in which
the agency is located
Factor levels: (see agency/school document)
month comm – (ISS) – the month in which an individual started a period of work at the
school for the listed position and salary
Factor levels: 1 (January) – 12 (December)
day comm – (ISS) the day on which an individual started a period of work at the school for
the listed position and salary
Factor levels: 1 - 31
yr comm – (ISS) the year in which an individual started a period of work at the school for the
listed position and salary
Factor levels: 1884, 1885
month term – (ISS) the month in which a period of work at the school for the listed position
and salary ended
Factor levels: 1 (January) – 12 (December)
day term – (ISS) the day on which a period of work at the school for the listed position and
salary ended
Factor levels: 1 - 31
yr term – (ISS) the year in which a period of work at the school for the listed position and
salary ended
Factor levels: 1884, 1885
POB ISS – (ISS) the place of birth of the individual (state or territory if born in the United
States, country if born abroad)
Factor levels: numerous
POB_R – (aggregated from POB ISS) the region of birth of the individual
Factor Levels: US PL – Plains: KS, NE, ND, OK, SD, TX
US S – South: AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
US MW – Midwest: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI
US NE – Northeast: CT, DE, ME, MA. NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
US FW – Far West: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY
FOREIGN – other countries
POA – (ISS) state in which an individual was appointed
Factor levels: numerous states, U.S. army
Salary (annum) – (ISS) salary per annum in dollars
Factor levels: 60 – 2000
amount paid – (ISS) amount paid in dollars
Factor levels: 2 - 2000
Limited Census Work
why not – related to attempts to connect the ISS information to the 1880 census, if an
individual could not be linked this column indicates why not
Factor levels: cf – can’t find – there are no individuals considered close enough to link
hs – husband single – when searching for a woman who is married in 1885, if
her husband is found in 1880 to be single, she will not have his surname
yet and therefore cannot be found
m – multiple – there are several individuals that reasonably match the
information available and, at this time, no way to distinguish the best
match
nei - not enough information – a component of ISS information crucial to
making a link is missing such as surname, date of birth, or place of birth
confidence – related to attempts to connect the ISS information to the 1880 census, if an
individual was found this column indicates the confidence of the match
Factor levels: 1 – as sure as possible given the data available
2 – a reasonable match but not enough information to be confident
3 – guesswork
* – part of the data does not match but a reasonable explanation can be
provided for why
Alt. Spelling Census - indicates differences in how an individuals name is recorded in the
census as compared to the ISS roster
Factor levels: numerous
Race Census – the race of the individual as listed in the census
Factor levels: white
Sex Census – the sex of the individual as listed in the census
Factor levels: F – female
M – male
Age Census – the age in years of the individual in 1880 as listed in the census
Factor levels: 9 – 51
Rltn to Head – (census) the relation of the individual to the head of the household
Factor levels: daughter, son, wife
Marital Status – (census) the marital status of the individual
Factor levels: divorced, married, single
Occupation – (census) the self-reported occupation of the individual
Factor levels: numerous
POB – (census) the place of birth of the individual - state or territory if born in the United
States, country if born abroad
Factor levels: numerous
POB Father – (census) the place of birth of father of the individual - state or territory if born in
the United States, country if born abroad
Factor levels: numerous
POB Mother – (census) the place of birth of mother of the individual - state or territory if born
in the United States, country if born abroad
Factor levels: numerous
# in Hshld – (inferred from census) count by data enterer of the number of people living in
the same household
Factor level: 2 - 30
# Kin – (inferred from census) count by data enterer of the number of the people living in the
same household who are kin of the individual in question.
Factor level: 0 - 11
# Children – (inferred from census) count by data enterer of the number of children of the
individual who are living in the household. This value does not include children have moved
out or died.
Factor level: 0 - 3
# Dpndnts – (inferred from census) count by data enterer of the number of the people living
in the same household who are a dependent of the individual
Factor level: 0 - 4
Family link 85 – (inferred from ISS, census) a code developed to link related individuals.
Each pair or group has a four letter code for the agency (or if the school operates outside an
agency, the school) where the individuals work. Each pair is then numbered within the
agency to give a count of the number of different family groups employed in each school or
agency.
Factor levels: (see agency/school document)
If there is a T after code, the link is tentative. Either the individuals were found
in the census but not married yet or the possibility of relation was
inferred entirely based on a common surname.
City/Township – (census) – the city or township in which the individual resides in 1880
Factor levels – numerous
County – (census) – the county in which the individual resides in 1880
Factor levels – numerous
State – (census) – the state or territory in which the individual resides in 1880
Factor levels – numerous
Extra Columns –
calculations and comparisons performed with the data
POE = POB – indicates whether the state in which an individual is employed is the same as
the state in which the individual was born
Factor levels:
y= yes
n= no
b= no place of birth known
POE = POB + surroundings – indicates whether the state in which an individual is
employed is either the same as the state in which the individual was born or an adjacent state
Factor levels:
y= yes
n= no
b= no place of birth known