3. About the Census

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.

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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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
The 1870 Census serves as a vital tool for understanding the lives of formerly enslaved people and their families, providing the first federal documentation of African Americans as free citizens.

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.
1850 & 1860 Census: These introduced significant changes, particularly the "Slave Schedules":
  • 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.
In 1860, the eighth U.S. federal census was conducted. The states and territories included in this census were:
  1. Alabama
  2. Arkansas
  3. California
  4. Connecticut
  5. Delaware
  6. Florida
  7. Georgia
  8. Illinois
  9. Indiana
  10. Iowa
  11. Kentucky
  12. Louisiana
  13. Maine
  14. Maryland
  15. Massachusetts
  16. Michigan
  17. Minnesota (became a state in 1858)
  18. Mississippi
  19. Missouri
  20. New Hampshire
  21. New Jersey
  22. New York
  23. North Carolina
  24. Ohio
  25. Oregon (became a state in 1859)
  26. Pennsylvania
  27. Rhode Island
  28. South Carolina
  29. Tennessee
  30. Texas
  31. Vermont
  32. Virginia
  33. Wisconsin
In addition to these states, the census also covered several U.S. territories:
  • Dakota Territory (created in 1861 but included in 1860 census data)
  • Kansas Territory
  • Nebraska Territory
  • New Mexico Territory
  • Utah Territory
  • Washington Territory
These territories were counted, though they had not yet achieved statehood by the time of the 1860 census.

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.
1850 & 1860 Census: These introduced significant changes, particularly the "Slave Schedules":
  • 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.
In 1850, the seventh U.S. federal census was conducted, and it was the first to list every individual by name, not just the head of household. The states and territories included in this census were:
  1. Alabama
  2. Arkansas
  3. California (became a state in 1850)
  4. Connecticut
  5. Delaware
  6. Florida (became a state in 1845)
  7. Georgia
  8. Illinois
  9. Indiana
  10. Iowa (became a state in 1846)
  11. Kentucky
  12. Louisiana
  13. Maine
  14. Maryland
  15. Massachusetts
  16. Michigan
  17. Mississippi
  18. Missouri
  19. New Hampshire
  20. New Jersey
  21. New York
  22. North Carolina
  23. Ohio
  24. Pennsylvania
  25. Rhode Island
  26. South Carolina
  27. Tennessee
  28. Texas (became a state in 1845)
  29. Vermont
  30. Virginia
  31. Wisconsin (became a state in 1848)
Additionally, several U.S. territories were included in the 1850 census:
  • Minnesota Territory
  • New Mexico Territory
  • Oregon Territory
  • Utah Territory
  • Washington Territory
These territories were counted in the census even though they had not yet achieved statehood.
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:
  1. Alabama
  2. Arkansas (became a state in 1836)
  3. Connecticut
  4. Delaware
  5. Georgia
  6. Illinois
  7. Indiana
  8. Kentucky
  9. Louisiana
  10. Maine
  11. Maryland
  12. Massachusetts
  13. Michigan (became a state in 1837)
  14. Mississippi
  15. Missouri
  16. New Hampshire
  17. New Jersey
  18. New York
  19. North Carolina
  20. Ohio
  21. Pennsylvania
  22. Rhode Island
  23. South Carolina
  24. Tennessee
  25. Vermont
  26. Virginia
Additionally, the census included several territories:
  • Florida Territory
  • Iowa Territory
  • Wisconsin Territory
These territories were counted in the 1840 census, even though they had not yet achieved statehood.
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:
  1. Alabama
  2. Connecticut
  3. Delaware
  4. Georgia
  5. Illinois
  6. Indiana
  7. Kentucky
  8. Louisiana
  9. Maine
  10. Maryland
  11. Massachusetts
  12. Mississippi
  13. Missouri
  14. New Hampshire
  15. New Jersey
  16. New York
  17. North Carolina
  18. Ohio
  19. Pennsylvania
  20. Rhode Island
  21. South Carolina
  22. Tennessee
  23. Vermont
  24. Virginia
Additionally, the 1830 census included several territories:
  • Arkansas Territory
  • Michigan Territory
  • Florida Territory (still a U.S. territory at the time)
These regions were counted, even though some were not yet states.
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:
  1. Alabama (became a state in 1819)
  2. Connecticut
  3. Delaware
  4. Georgia
  5. Illinois (became a state in 1818)
  6. Indiana (became a state in 1816)
  7. Kentucky
  8. Louisiana (became a state in 1812)
  9. Maine (became a state in 1820, having previously been part of Massachusetts)
  10. Maryland
  11. Massachusetts (without Maine, as it became a separate state)
  12. Mississippi (became a state in 1817)
  13. Missouri Territory (though Missouri became a state in 1821, it was still counted as a territory in the 1820 census)
  14. New Hampshire
  15. New Jersey
  16. New York
  17. North Carolina
  18. Ohio
  19. Pennsylvania
  20. Rhode Island
  21. South Carolina
  22. Tennessee
  23. Vermont
  24. Virginia
Additionally, the 1820 census covered the following territories:
  • Arkansas Territory
  • Michigan Territory
  • Florida Territory (acquired in 1819, but not officially a U.S. state at the time)
These regions were counted as part of the census, although not all were states 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:
  1. Connecticut
  2. Delaware
  3. Georgia
  4. Kentucky
  5. Louisiana (became a state in 1812, but was part of the territory covered)
  6. Maryland
  7. Massachusetts (which included the District of Maine)
  8. New Hampshire
  9. New Jersey
  10. New York
  11. North Carolina
  12. Ohio (became a state in 1803)
  13. Pennsylvania
  14. Rhode Island
  15. South Carolina
  16. Tennessee
  17. Vermont
  18. Virginia
Additionally, the census covered territories such as the Mississippi Territory (which included parts of present-day Mississippi and Alabama), the Indiana Territory, the Illinois Territory, and the Michigan Territory. These areas were organized territories at the time but had not yet gained statehood.
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:
  1. Connecticut
  2. Delaware
  3. Georgia
  4. Kentucky (became a state in 1792)
  5. Maryland
  6. Massachusetts (which included the District of Maine)
  7. New Hampshire
  8. New Jersey
  9. New York
  10. North Carolina
  11. Pennsylvania
  12. Rhode Island
  13. South Carolina
  14. Tennessee (became a state in 1796)
  15. Vermont (became a state in 1791)
  16. Virginia
Additionally, the 1800 census also included the Northwest Territory (which would later become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and the Mississippi Territory (which covered areas that are now part of Mississippi and Alabama).
The first U.S. census listed free people and counted enslaved individuals separately, but only by numbers, not by name. Categories included:
    • Free White Males (16 and over)
    • Free White Females
    • All other free persons
    • Enslaved persons (counted only by number per household)
In 1790, the first U.S. federal census was conducted, covering the original 13 states, along with some additional territories. The states included in the 1790 census were:
  1. Connecticut
  2. Delaware
  3. Georgia
  4. Maryland
  5. Massachusetts (which included present-day Maine)
  6. New Hampshire
  7. New Jersey
  8. New York
  9. North Carolina
  10. Pennsylvania
  11. Rhode Island
  12. South Carolina
  13. Virginia (which included present-day West Virginia)
Additionally, the 1790 census also included the Southwest Territory (now Tennessee) and some areas of the District of Maine (part of Massachusetts at the time).
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