Locating your ancestors on the U.S. Census is the crucial first step in your journey to uncover their history, including their potential connection to enslaved ancestors. The wealth of information contained in census records—such as family members, ages, occupations, and locations—provides a strong foundation for your research. These details are vital in helping you trace your lineage and ultimately discover records that document the lives of your enslaved ancestors.
[printfriendly]
The 1870 U.S. Census holds special significance as it was the first census conducted after the Civil War and the abolition of slavery in 1865. It is often the earliest record in which formerly enslaved African Americans are listed by name, making it a critical resource for genealogy and historical research. Here are some key details about the 1870 Census:
- First Census After Emancipation: This was the first time African Americans were recorded as free individuals, and they were listed by their full names. Prior to this, enslaved people were typically recorded as property in Slave Schedules (1850 and 1860) without identifying details like names.
- Census Date: The 1870 Census was taken beginning on June 1, 1870, and recorded the information as of that date. All data collected reflect the status of individuals as of that day.
- Population Coverage: The census covered all individuals living in the U.S. at the time, including newly freed African Americans. It was the ninth census of the U.S. and recorded a population of about 38.5 million people.
- Information Collected:
- Names: For the first time, all individuals were listed by name, including African Americans.
- Age: Age at last birthday was recorded.
- Race: People were categorized as white (W), Black (B), mulatto (M), Chinese (C), and Indian (I).
- Occupation: The primary occupation of each individual was recorded.
- Place of Birth: The state or country where the individual was born was listed, which helps track family migration patterns.
- Marital Status: Information about whether an individual was married within the year or widowed was noted.
- Parents' Birthplaces: The census asked for the birthplace of the individual's parents, providing clues to family origins.
- Real Estate and Personal Property: The value of real estate and personal property was recorded for some individuals.
- Challenges for Researchers:
- Surname Changes: Many formerly enslaved individuals adopted the surnames of their former enslavers, which can help in tracing their lineage, but some also chose new names.
- Proximity to Former Enslavers: In many cases, formerly enslaved individuals continued to live near or work for their former enslavers, so identifying neighboring households on the census can offer clues.
- Incomplete Information: Some census takers made errors in recording data, or certain details were missed, which can make tracing ancestors challenging.
- Importance for African American Genealogy: For African Americans, the 1870 Census is often the starting point for genealogical research. It bridges the gap between the end of slavery and earlier historical records that may not have listed enslaved people by name. This makes it a key document in tracing African American ancestors back to the slavery era.
- Post-Civil War Context: The census provides a snapshot of the U.S. during the Reconstruction era, capturing the social and economic conditions of both formerly enslaved people and the country as a whole during a time of major transition.
Research Tips for Using the 1870 Census:
- Examine Nearby Households: Look at neighboring households to identify possible connections between your ancestors and formerly enslaving families.
- Follow the Paper Trail: Use the information from the 1870 Census to search for earlier records, such as slave schedules, wills, deeds, or probate records that may mention your ancestors as property.
- Cross-reference with Other Censuses: Compare data from the 1880 Census and beyond to build a clearer picture of family relationships and migration patterns.
Slave Schedules (1850 and 1860):
- These special schedules only applied to states where slavery was legal.
- Enslaved individuals were listed under the names of their enslavers. While their names were not recorded, demographic details like age, gender, and color (usually "black" or "mulatto") were included.
- Researchers can sometimes cross-reference these schedules with plantation records, wills, or other documents to identify individuals by name.
- Slave Schedules: Separate documents from the main population schedules, listing the number of enslaved people in each household, their age, gender, and color (black or mulatto), but still not their names. Only the names of enslavers were listed.
- The 1860 census was the last before the abolition of slavery in the U.S., and like 1850, included detailed Slave Schedules.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota (became a state in 1858)
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon (became a state in 1859)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Dakota Territory (created in 1861 but included in 1860 census data)
- Kansas Territory
- Nebraska Territory
- New Mexico Territory
- Utah Territory
- Washington Territory
Slave Schedules (1850 and 1860):
- These special schedules only applied to states where slavery was legal.
- Enslaved individuals were listed under the names of their enslavers. While their names were not recorded, demographic details like age, gender, and color (usually "black" or "mulatto") were included.
- Researchers can sometimes cross-reference these schedules with plantation records, wills, or other documents to identify individuals by name.
- Slave Schedules: Separate documents from the main population schedules, listing the number of enslaved people in each household, their age, gender, and color (black or mulatto), but still not their names. Only the names of enslavers were listed.
- The 1860 census was the last before the abolition of slavery in the U.S., and like 1850, included detailed Slave Schedules.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California (became a state in 1850)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida (became a state in 1845)
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa (became a state in 1846)
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas (became a state in 1845)
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin (became a state in 1848)
- Minnesota Territory
- New Mexico Territory
- Oregon Territory
- Utah Territory
- Washington Territory
1800–1840 Censuses: Followed similar patterns, enumerating free individuals and enslaved individuals in separate columns, but not identifying enslaved persons by name. Only the heads of the households were listed.
In 1840, the sixth U.S. federal census was conducted. The states and territories included in this census were:
- Alabama
- Arkansas (became a state in 1836)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan (became a state in 1837)
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Florida Territory
- Iowa Territory
- Wisconsin Territory
1800–1840 Censuses: Followed similar patterns, enumerating free individuals and enslaved individuals in separate columns, but not identifying enslaved persons by name. Only the heads of the households were listed.
In 1830, the fifth U.S. federal census was conducted. The states and territories included in this census were:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Arkansas Territory
- Michigan Territory
- Florida Territory (still a U.S. territory at the time)
1800–1840 Censuses: Followed similar patterns, enumerating free individuals and enslaved individuals in separate columns, but not identifying enslaved persons by name. Only the heads of the households were listed.
In 1820, the fourth U.S. federal census was conducted. The states and territories included in this census were:
- Alabama (became a state in 1819)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Illinois (became a state in 1818)
- Indiana (became a state in 1816)
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (became a state in 1812)
- Maine (became a state in 1820, having previously been part of Massachusetts)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (without Maine, as it became a separate state)
- Mississippi (became a state in 1817)
- Missouri Territory (though Missouri became a state in 1821, it was still counted as a territory in the 1820 census)
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Arkansas Territory
- Michigan Territory
- Florida Territory (acquired in 1819, but not officially a U.S. state at the time)
1800–1840 Censuses: Followed similar patterns, enumerating free individuals and enslaved individuals in separate columns, but not identifying enslaved persons by name. Only the heads of the households were listed.
In 1810, the third U.S. federal census was conducted. The states and territories included in this census were:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (became a state in 1812, but was part of the territory covered)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (which included the District of Maine)
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio (became a state in 1803)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
1800–1840 Censuses: Followed similar patterns, enumerating free individuals and enslaved individuals in separate columns, but not identifying enslaved persons by name. Only the heads of the households were listed.
In 1800, the second U.S. federal census was conducted. The states and territories included in this census were:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kentucky (became a state in 1792)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (which included the District of Maine)
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee (became a state in 1796)
- Vermont (became a state in 1791)
- Virginia