Time to Complete: Five months
U.S. Population: 38.6 million
On June 1, 1870 the Bureau of the Census began taking the 9th decennial census of the United States. All responses were to reflect the individual's status as of 1 June 1870, even if the status had changed between June 1st and the day of the actual enumeration (i.e. children born after 1 June should not be listed, and people who died after 1 June should still be counted).
For genealogists looking to identify immigrant ancestors, the 1870 census is the first census which indicates parents of foreign birth. A mortality schedule was also taken with the 1870 census, with a separate set of questions regarding those who died in the twelve months prior to the enumeration.
Questions Asked in the 1870 Census
- name, age, and sex of each individual in the household
- month of birth, if born within the previous year
- race (white, black, mulatto, Indian, or Chinese)
- profession, occupation, or trade of each individual over the age of 15
- value of real estate
- value of personal property
- place of birth (state, territory, or country)
- whether parents were "of foreign birth"
- month of marriage, if married within the year
- whether attended school within the year
- whether able to read and write, if over the age of 20
- whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, a pauper, or a convict
- whether a male citizen over the age of 21
- whether a male citizen over the age of 21 and the right to vote had been denied on grounds other than rebellion or other crime
1870 Census Online
Colorado 1870 Federal Census Index Free!
Maryland State Archives 1870 Census Index Free!
Michigan 1870 Census Index & Images Free!
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Genealogy.com - 1870 Head of Household Census Index & Images (requires a subscription or Free 14-day Trial)
Ancestry.com - 1870 Census Images & Partial Every Name Index (requires a subscription or Free 14-Day Trial)
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