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When the 1860 federal census was collected and enumerated, slavery was still legal within most of the states south of the Mason-Dixon line. The 1860 federal census enumerated only free people of color in its population schedule; slaves were enumerated namelessly on a separate schedule, identified only by slave owner, age, gender, and color.

This article is part of a continuing series looking at each federal census individually. Please read the others in the archives of this column.
The 1870 U. S. Census was the Ninth Decennial Census. This census is probably the single most important census for genealogists conducting research on African-American families

Over the last six months, this column has discussed the "Anatomy" of the federal census for the years from 1870-1930, not including the mostly-destroyed 1890 census. In this series of articles, each column of the census questionnaire was examined, and clues that will aid your research were discussed. If you have missed any of these articles, you can read them again using the links below:

Anatomy of the 1930 federal census
Anatomy of the 1920 federal census
Anatomy of the 1910 federal census
Anatomy of the 1900 federal census
Anatomy of the 1880 federal census
Anatomy of the 1870 federal census

In a discussion concerning the federal census as evidence for genealogical research, however, one must also consider the question: are census records reliable sources?

On 20 October 2009, this column addressed the topic of Y-DNA testing for genealogical purposes. This relatively new development in science holds revolutionary potential for genealogy, especially African-American research. The most recent issue of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (Sep 2009) contains the case study of an African-American family where Y-DNA testing revealed direct male line European ancestry.[1]

Many Civil War veterans and their widows or other dependents received pensions from the U. S. government for their support. For those researchers whose ancestors received pensions for service, these files are arguably the single richest record group in terms of information contained within them.

In honor of the many U. S. veterans that have served in our armed forces throughout the history of this great nation, the African American Genealogy Examiner column today will provide instructions on accessing several free records databases available online at the website of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Written by Dr. Margaret Procter, Coordinator, Writing Support, University of Toronto.

The Google Operating System blog points out that Google's integration of Scholar results means that students and researchers have to settle for "subscription required" firewalls when trying to pull up a paper. Hit the "All (x) versions" link, and you'll often find a readable copy on Google's servers.
Read More: Find and Download Higher Resolution Videos on YouTube, Covert Office 2007 .DOCX Files in Gmail, Google, Google Backs Out of Yahoo Ad Deal, Google Groups Now Searches All Web Forums

6:00 AM on Tue Nov 11 2008
By Kevin Purdy
1,997 views

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6:57 AM
Image of gpzbc gpzbc
6:57 AM

This is good to know. Thanks!
gpzbc This is good to know. Thanks!
o
o
6:58 AM
1 reply
Image of eilu eilu
6:58 AM

One of my most-used techniques when I wrote my thesis. These "subscription required" sites are annoying and counterproductive. Journals are supposed to disseminate data, instead they restrict access and deny it to those who need it most (students).
eilu One of my most-used techniques when I wrote my thesis....
1 reply by realityhole
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Image of realityhole realityhole
7:58 AM

@eilu: I think the reason for it is to try and stop (or at least hinder) plagiarism, but of course google are going to want subscriptions anyway
realityhole @ eilu : I think the reason for it is to try and stop...
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o
6:59 AM
2 replies
Image of michaelmc michaelmc
6:59 AM

Scholar is also available from certain (many?) universities such that, if you access the site through the sch

A helpful discussion of where to go to find obituaries online.