1870 Census
Objective: To locate a specific person who lived in Pennsylvania in 1870. In this example we are tracking Warren Taylor, who lived in Western Pennsylvania and should have been counted during the Federal Population Census for Pennsylvania in 1870. We want to confirm this information and determine any other information about his family collected by the census enumerator in 1870.
1870 Census: Pennsylvania reel listing located at bottom of guide.The Internet can be a valuable tool to aid in your Census search. There are many sites that provide information. Census Online contains over 44,000 links to US census records, census calculators, and census forms from 1790-1930. The microfilm information and the internet information can be used together to complete a search for an individual. Links to Internet sources have been inserted throughout this document that complement and, in some cases, replace the print indexes or the census microfilm. Please note that the microfilm constitutes the primary source and should be consulted for errors in transcription.
Please ASK the staff at Microforms & Government Information, 2nd floor Paterno Desk at any time for additional help or clarification about how to locate the sources or information.
The indexes for the Pennsylvania Census in 1870 are divided into 3 sections:
- Central PA
- Pennsylvania Central 1870 Census Index Vol. I, A – K, HA605.P46 2001 v. 1
- Pennsylvania Central 1870 Census Index Vol. II, L – Z, HA605.P46 2001 v. 2
- Eastern PA
- 1870 Pennsylvania East Census Index Vol. I, A – K, HA605.P462 1994 v. 1
- 1870 Pennsylvania East Census Index Vol. II, L - Z, HA605.P462 1994 v. 2
- Western PA
- Pennsylvania 1870 West Census Index Vol. I, A – K, HA605.P467 1993 v. 1
- Pennsylvania 1870 West Census Index Vol. II, L – Z, HA605.P467 1993 v. 2
- Pennsylvania 1870 West Census Index Addendum, HA605.P467 1993 addendum
Step 1: Begin in Microforms & Government Information, 2nd floor Paterno, and locate the book titled, Pennsylvania West 1870 Census Index Volume II L - Z (Call number: HA605.P467 1993 v. 2) in the Indexes and Guides Section.
Step 2: Locate the person you are searching in the Pennsylvania West 1870 Census Index. Names are listed in alphabetical order by last name. The name range is found on the top of the page. To follow along with our example, you will find TAYLOR, WARREN listed on page 1646. See Example 1 below.
The Index only includes the name of the Heads-of-Household with the following exceptions:
- Someone residing within the home who has a different surname, regardless of age.
- Any male 50 years of age or older
- Any female 70 years of age or older
- Any color or race change (where the surname stays the same)
- Any individuals living in an orphanage
Example 2: Showing the location of the page number on the original page ledger
Then, you will need to locate Warren Taylor’s name on the ledger page.
Names of individuals are not in alphabetical order on the ledger page. Read the page carefully to locate Warren Taylor’s name. The 19th Century script and the microfilm quality can sometimes present interesting challenges for the researcher!
Example 3: Showing Warren Taylor’s name on the original ledger page
Step 7: Review the information collected for Warren Taylor in the 1870 census. (See example 4)
A blank 1870 census form can be printed to assist your collection of data from the microfilm.
In 1870, the following 20 columns of information were collected:
- Dwelling houses numbered in the order of visitation
- Families numbered in order of visitation
- The name of every person whose place of abode on the first day of June 1870 was in the family
- Description
- Age at last birthday. If under 1 year, month shown in fraction.
- Sex – Males (M), Female (F)
- Color – White (W), Black (B), Mulatto (M), Chinese (C), Indian (I)
- Profession, occupation, or trade of each person, male or female5 years of age
- Real Estate Owned
- Value of Real Estate
- Personal Property
- Place of birth – State or Territory of the U.S., Country if foreign born
- Parentage
- Father of foreign birth
- Mother of foreign birth
- If born within the year, state month
- If married within the year, state month
- Attended school within the year
- Education
- Cannot Read
- Cannot Write
- Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic
- Constitutional Relations
- Male Citizen of the US 21 years of age and upwards
- Male Citizen of US 21 years of age and upwards whose right to vote is denied or abridged on other grounds than rebellion or other crime
Warren Taylor was a 32 year old male who lived in Sharon Boro in Mercer County, PA. He was an Artist born in Ohio. There were 9 people in his household including: Elizabeth Taylor (30 year old female, born in PA), Byers Taylor (10 year old male, born in PA), William Taylor (8 year old male, born in PA), Warren Taylor (6 year old male, born in PA), and Elizabeth Taylor (2 year old female, born in PA). We also know that the value of their real estate was $12,000 and the value of their personal estate was $1,800.
A search for Warren Taylor in 1870 at Census online provided the following information for Warren Taylor. This information was a confirmation to the information that I had previously discovered, however, I noticed that the real estate property value was incorrect (noted as 2,000 instead of 12,000)
282A 22 6 6 Taylor Warren, 32, m, w, Artist 2000 1800 OH, citiz,
282A 23 6 6 Taylor Elizabeth, 30, f, w, Keeps House, PA, f.f.b.,m.f.b.,
282A 24 6 6 Taylor Byers, 10, m, w, At School, PA, school,
282A 25 6 6 Taylor William, 8, m, w, At School, OH, school,
282A 26 6 6 Taylor Warren, 6, m, w, PA,
282A 27 6 6 Taylor Frank, 4, m, w, PA,
282A 28 6 6 Taylor Elizabeth, 2, f, w, PA,
282A 29 6 6 Roberts Elizabeth, 58, f, w, Grand Mother, Wales,f.f.b., m.f.b.,
282A 30 6 6 Todd Molly, 18, f, w, Tailoress, PA
| Reel No. | Names of Counties (Pennsylvania) | Note |
|---|---|---|
|
Reel 1289 |
Adams |
[Volume 1] pg.1-397A |
|
Reel 1290 |
Allegheny (City) |
[Volume 2] pg. 1-331 Wards 1- 3 |
|
Reel 1291 |
Allegheny (City) |
[Volume 2] pg. 333-674 Wards 4-8 |
|
Reel 1292 |
Allegheny |
[Volume 2] pg. 675-794A and [Volume 3] pg. 1-301A Excluding cities of Allegheny and Pittsburg |
|
Reel 1293 |
Allegheny |
[Volume 3] pg. 302-676A Excluding cities of Allegheny and Pittsburg |
|
Reel 1294 |
Allegheny |
[Volume 4] pg. 1-349 Excluding cities of Allegheny and Pittsburg |
|
Reel 1295 |
City of Pittsburg |
[Volume 4] pg. 350-583 Wards 1-5 |
|
Reel 1296 |
City of Pittsburg |
[Volume 5] pg. 1-335 Wards 6-10 |
|
Reel 1297 |
City of Pittsburg |
[Volume 5] pg. 337-630 Wards 11-15 |
|
Reel 1298 |
City of Pittsburg |
[Volume 6] pg. 1-242A Wards 16-23 |
|
Reel 1299 |
Allegheny |
[Volume 6] pg. 243-679 Excluding cities of Allegheny and Pittsburg |
|
Reel 1300 |
Armstrong |
[Volume 7] pg. 1-259 |
|
Reel 1301 |
Armstrong |
[Volume 7] pg. 260-572A |
|
Reel 1302 |
Beaver |
[Volume 7] pg. 574-712 |
|
Reel 1303 |
Beaver |
[Volume 8] pg. 1-341A |
|
Reel 1304 |
Bedford |
[Volume 8] pg. 342-732A |
|
Reel 1305 |
Berks |
[Volume 9] pg. 1-409A Excluding the city of Reading |
|
Reel 1306 |
Berks |
[Volume 9] pg. 411-663A Excluding the city of Reading |
|
Reel 1307 |
City of Reading |
[Volume 9] pg. 665-851A and [Volume 10] 1-245A |
|
Reel 1308 |
Berks |
[Volume 10] pg. 246-532A Excluding the city of Reading |
|
Reel 1309 |
Blair |
[Volume 11] pg. 1-255A |
|
Reel 1310 |
Blair |
[Volume 11] pg. 256-496 |
|
Reel 1311 |
Bradford |
[Volume 12] pg. 1-364A |
|
Reel 1312 |
Bradford |
[Volume 12] pg. 365-696 |
|
Reel 1313 |
Bucks |
[Volume 13] pg. 1-437A |
|
Reel 1314 |
Bucks |
[Volume 13] pg. 438-831 |
|
Reel 1315 |
Butler |
[Volume 14] pg. 1-254 |
|
Reel 1316 |
Butler |
[Volume 14] pg. 255-493 |
|
Reel 1317 |
Cambria |
[Volume 15] pg. 1-262 |
|
Reel 1318 |
Cambria |
[Volume 15] pg. 263-485A |
|
Reel 1319 |
Cameron |
[Volume 15] pg. 486-543A |
|
Reel 1320 |
Carbon |
[Volume 16] pg. 1-365 |
|
Reel 1321 |
Centre |
[Volume 16] pg. 366-617 |
|
Reel 1322 |
Centre |
[Volume 16] pg. 618-829 |
|
Reel 1323 |
Chester |
[Volume 17] pg. 1-343A |
|
Reel 1324 |
Chester |
[Volume 17] pg. 345-687A |
|
Reel 1325 |
Chester |
[Volume 18] pg. 1-342 |
|
Reel 1326 |
Clarion |
[Volume 18] pg. 343-697 |
|
Reel 1327 |
Clearfield |
[Volume 19] pg. 1-346 |
|
Reel 1328 |
Clinton |
[Volume 19] pg. 347-660 |
|
Reel 1329 |
Columbia |
[Volume 20] pg. 1-384A |
|
Reel 1330 |
Crawford |
[Volume 21] pg. 1-447A |
|
Reel 1331 |
Crawford |
[Volume 21] pg. 449-843A |
|
Reel 1332 |
Cumberland |
[Volume 22] pg. 1-334A |
|
Reel 1333 |
Cumberland |
[Volume 22] pg. 335-573 |
|
Reel 1334 |
Dauphin |
[Volume 23] pg. 1-443A |
|
Reel 1335 |
Dauphin |
[Volume 23] pg. 444-793 |
|
Reel 1336 |
Delaware |
[Volume 24] pg. 1-265A |
|
Reel 1337 |
Delaware |
[Volume 24] pg. 266-520A |
|
Reel 1338 |
Elk |
[Volume 25] 1-109 |
|
Reel 1339 |
Erie |
[Volume 25] pg. 111-275 Excluding the city of Erie |
|
Reel 1340 |
City of Erie |
[Volume 25] pg. 276-430A Wards 1-3 and [Volume 26] pg. 1-97A Wards 4-6 |
|
Reel 1341 |
Erie |
[Volume 26] pg. 99-541A Excluding the city of Erie |
|
Reel 1342 |
Fayette |
[Volume 27] pg. 1-287 |
|
Reel 1343 |
Fayette |
[Volume 27] pg. 288-571A |
|
Reel 1344 |
Forest |
[Volume 28] pg. 1-60 |
|
Reel 1345 |
Franklin |
[Volume 28] pg. 62-322A |
|
Reel 1346 |
Franklin |
[Volume 28] pg. 323-647A |
|
Reel 1347 |
Fulton |
[Volume 29] pg. 1-126 |
|
Reel 1348 |
Greene |
[Volume 29] pg. 127-469 |
|
Reel 1349 |
Huntingdon |
[Volume 29] pg. 471-887A |
|
Reel 1350 |
Indiana |
[Volume 30] pg. 1-273 |
|
Reel 1351 |
Indiana |
[Volume 30] pg. 274-485A |
|
Reel 1352 |
Jefferson |
[Volume 31] pg. 1-293A |
|
Reel 1353 |
Juniata |
[Volume 31] pg. 294-823 |
|
Reel 1354 |
Lancaster |
[Volume 32] pg. 1-272 |
|
Reel 1355 |
Lancaster |
[Volume 32] pg. 274-479A |
|
Reel 1356 |
Lancaster |
[Volume 33] pg. 1-417A |
|
Reel 1357 |
Lancaster |
[Volume 33] pg. 418-562 |
|
Reel 1358 |
Lancaster |
[Volume 34] pg. 1-243 |
|
Reel 1359 |
Lancaster |
[Volume 34] pg. 244-528A |
|
Reel 1360 |
Lawrence |
[Volume 35] pg. 1-357A |
|
Reel 1361 |
Lebanon |
[Volume 36] pg. 1-443 |
|
Reel 1362 |
Lehigh |
[Volume 37] pg. 1-388A |
|
Reel 1363 |
Lehigh |
[Volume 37] pg. 389-778 |
|
Reel 1364 |
Luzerne |
[Volume 38] pg. 1-367A Excluding the city of Scranton |
|
Reel 1365 |
Luzerne |
[Volume 38] pg. 368-725 Excluding the city of Scranton |
|
Reel 1366 |
Luzerne |
[Volume 39] pg. 1-412A Excluding the city of Scranton |
|
Reel 1367 |
Luzerne |
[Volume 39] pg. 414-627 Excluding the city of Scranton |
|
Reel 1368 |
City of Scranton |
[Volume 40] pg. 1-445A |
|
Reel 1369 |
Luzerne |
[Volume 40] pg. 446-721A Excluding the city of Scranton |
|
Reel 1370 |
Lycoming |
[Volume 41] pg. 1-312 |
|
Reel 1371 |
Lycoming |
[Volume 41] pg. 313-633 |
|
Reel 1372 |
McKean |
[Volume 41] pg. 634-754 |
|
Reel 1373 |
Mercer |
[Volume 42] pg. 1-430A |
|
Reel 1374 |
Mercer |
[Volume 43] pg. 1-227A |
|
Reel 1375 |
Mifflin |
[Volume 43] pg. 228-461 |
|
Reel 1376 |
Monroe |
[Volume 44] pg. 1-241 |
|
Reel 1377 |
Montgomery |
[Volume 44] 242-682A |
|
Reel 1378 |
Montgomery |
[Volume 45] pg. 1-323A |
|
Reel 1379 |
Montgomery |
[Volume 45] pg. 323-618A |
|
Reel 1380 |
Montour |
[Volume 46] pg. 1-208A |
|
Reel 1381 |
Northampton |
[Volume 46] pg. 209-444A |
|
Reel 1382 |
Northampton |
[Volume 47] pg. 1-253A |
|
Reel 1383 |
Northampton |
[Volume 47] pg. 254-560A |
|
Reel 1384 |
Northumberland |
[Volume 48] pg. 1-233 |
|
Reel 1385 |
Northumberland |
[Volume 48] pg. 234-547 |
|
Reel 1386 |
Perry |
[Volume 49] pg. 1-343A |
|
Reel 1387 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 49] pg. 344-677A Ward 1 |
|
Reel 1388 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 50] pg. 1-381A Ward 2 |
|
Reel 1389 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 50] pg. 383-625 Ward 3 |
|
Reel 1390 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 51] pg. 1-391 Ward 4 |
|
Reel 1391 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 52] pg. 1-224A Ward 5 & 6 |
|
Reel 1392 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 52] pg. 225-614A Ward 7 |
|
Reel 1393 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 53] pg. 1-333 Ward 8 |
|
Reel 1394 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 54] pg. 1-149A Ward 9 |
|
Reel 1395 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 54] pg. 151-593 Ward 10 |
|
Reel 1396 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 55] pg. 1-243A Ward 11 & 12 |
|
Reel 1397 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 55] pg. 244-500 Ward 13 |
|
Reel 1398 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 56] pg. 1-286 Ward 14 |
|
Reel 1399 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 56] pg. 287-683A Ward 15 |
|
Reel 1400 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 57] pg. 1-163A Ward 15 |
|
Reel 1401 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 57] pg. 165-510 Ward 16 |
|
Reel 1402 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 58] pg. 1-161A Ward 17 |
|
Reel 1403 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 58] pg. 163-481 Ward 18 |
|
Reel 1404 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 59] pg. 1-235A Ward 19 |
|
Reel 1405 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 59] pg. 236-562 Ward 19 |
|
Reel 1406 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 60] pg. 1-424 Ward 20 |
|
Reel 1407 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 60] pg. 426-694A Ward 20 |
|
Reel 1408 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 61] pg. 1-291 Ward 21 |
|
Reel 1409 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 61] pg. 292-475A Ward 22 |
|
Reel 1410 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 62] pg. 1-261A Ward 23 |
|
Reel 1411 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 62] pg. 262-664A Ward 24 |
|
Reel 1412 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 63] pg. 1-151A Ward 25 |
|
Reel 1413 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 63] pg. 152-341A Ward 26 |
|
Reel 1414 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 63] pg. 342-603A Ward 26 |
|
Reel 1415 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 64] pg. 1-341A Ward 1 |
|
Reel 1416 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 64] pg. 343-733 Ward 2 |
|
Reel 1417 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 65] pg. 1-245 Ward 3 |
|
Reel 1418 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 65] pg. 246-567A Ward 4 |
|
Reel 1419 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 66] pg. 1-348 Ward 5 & 6 |
|
Reel 1420 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 66] pg. 349-752A Ward 7 |
|
Reel 1421 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 67] pg. 1-312A Ward 8 |
|
Reel 1422 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 67] pg. 313-525A Ward 9 |
|
Reel 1423 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 68] pg. 1-312A Ward 10 |
|
Reel 1424 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 68] pg. 320-709A Ward 11 & 12 |
|
Reel 1425 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 69] pg. 1-259A Ward 13 |
|
Reel 1426 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 69] pg. 260-552A Ward 14 |
|
Reel 1427 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 70] pg. 1-321 Ward 15 |
|
Reel 1428 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 70] pg. 322-582 Ward 15 |
|
Reel 1429 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 70] pg. 583-833 Ward 16 |
|
Reel 1430 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 71] pg. 1-277 Ward 17 |
|
Reel 1431 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 71] pg. 278-621 Ward 18 |
|
Reel 1432 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 72] pg. 1-275 Ward 19 |
|
Reel 1433 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 72] pg. 276-588A Ward 19 |
|
Reel 1434 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
Volume 73] pg. 1-381 Ward 20 |
|
Reel 1435 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 73] pg. 383-733A Ward 20 |
|
Reel 1436 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 74] pg. 1-180A Ward 21 |
|
Reel 1437 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 74] pg. 181-498A Ward 22 |
|
Reel 1438 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 74] pg. 499-775A Ward 23 |
|
Reel 1439 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 75] pg. 1-339A Ward 24 |
|
Reel 1440 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 75] pg. 348-591A Ward 25 |
|
Reel 1441 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 76] pg. 1-195 and 451-478A Ward 26 |
|
Reel 1442 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 76] pg. 196-449A Ward 26 |
|
Reel 1443 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 77] pg. 1-264A Ward 27 |
|
Reel 1444 |
City of Philadelphia (second enumeration) |
[Volume 77] pg. 265-395A Ward 28 |
|
Reel 1445 |
City of Philadelphia (first enumeration) |
[Volume 78] pg. 1-338A Ward 27 & 28 |
|
Reel 1446 |
Pike and Potter |
[Volume 78] pg. 339-619A |
|
Reel 1447 |
Schuylkill |
[Volume 79] pg. 1-366 |
|
Reel 1448 |
Schuylkill |
[Volume 79] pg. 367-717A |
|
Reel 1449 |
Schuylkill |
[Volume 80] pg. 1-366A |
|
Reel 1450 |
Schuylkill |
[Volume 80] pg. 388-797A |
|
Reel 1451 |
Snyder |
[Volume 81] pg. 1-211 |
|
Reel 1452 |
Somerset |
[Volume 81] pg. 212-579A |
|
Reel 1453 |
Sullivan |
[Volume 82] pg. 1-86A |
|
Reel 1454 |
Susquehanna |
[Volume 82] pg. 88-333A |
|
Reel 1455 |
Susquehanna |
[Volume 82] pg. 334-592A |
|
Reel 1456 |
Tioga |
[Volume 83] pg. 1-218A |
|
Reel 1457 |
Tioga |
[Volume 83] pg. 219-461A |
|
Reel 1458 |
Union |
[Volume 83] pg. 462-668 |
|
Reel 1459 |
Venango |
[Volume 84] pg. 1-295A |
|
Reel 1460 |
Venango |
[Volume 84] pg. 297-598A |
|
Reel 1461 |
Warren |
[Volume 85] pg. 1-318A |
|
Reel 1462 |
Washington |
[Volume 85] pg. 319-515 |
|
Reel 1463 |
Washington |
[Volume 86] pg. 1-446A |
|
Reel 1464 |
Wayne |
[Volume 87] pg. 1-443A |
|
Reel 1465 |
Westmoreland |
[Volume 88] pg. 1-399 |
|
Reel 1466 |
Westmoreland |
[Volume 88] pg. 400-764A |
|
Reel 1467 |
Wyoming |
[Volume 89] pg. 1-194 |
|
Reel 1468 |
York |
[Volume 89] pg. 196-552 |
|
Reel 1469 |
York |
[Volume 90] pg. 1-358 |
|
Reel 1470 |
York |
[Volume 90] pg. 360-644A |