Genealogy Clues in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census

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The 1870 US Federal Census provides many genealogy clues we can use to grow our family tree in our family history research. Learn how to find all the clues about your ancestors in this great genealogical source.


Watch This Episode, or Continue Reading Below


What is the Federal Census?

The U.S. Government began taking a census of each person living within its boundaries every 10 years starting in 1790. The census helps the government determine the population of each state, as well as other statistics used for a variety of government purposes. In this case, we are covering the genealogy clues available in the population portion of the census schedules.

Each census year, the questions were a little different. See all the questions asked in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census here: https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/index_of_questions/1870_1.html


The 1870 Census Sample Page

In this video, we examine the family and household of William Cotton, enumerated in Nations, Spencer, Kentucky. Below is the full census page. Please watch the video for the full details.


Citation for this census:

“United States Census, 1870,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX43-YCY : 12 April 2016), Richard Stephens in household of William Cotton, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 9, family 54, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,998.

Link to this exact record:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRGS-F6X?i=7&cc=1438024


What is the most interesting clue you have found in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for your ancestors?


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See you next time,

Melissa


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