1870
Census questions as they appeared on the schedule or questionairre.
| Questions | Options Appearing on Schedule or Questionairre | Instructions to Marshalls and Assistant Marshalls | Column/Question Number |
| Color Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions 1790-1980. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1979. pp. 18 |
White, Black, Mulatto, Chinese, or Indian | It must not be assumed that, where nothing is written in this column, "White" is to be understood. The coloumn is always to be filled. Be particularly careful in reporting the class Mulatto. The word is here generic, and includes quadroon, octoroons, and all persons having any perceptible trace of African blood. | 6 |
| Place of Birth, Naming State or Territory of U.S.;
or Country if of Foreign Birth Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions 1790-1980. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1979. pp. 18 |
If of foreign birth, the country will be named as specifically as possible. Instead of writing "Great Britain" as the place of birth, give the particular country, as England, Scotland, Wales. instead of "Germany," specify the State, as Prussia, Baden, Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Hesse Darmstadt, etc. | 10 | |
| Father of Foreign Birth Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions 1790-1980. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1979. pp. 19 |
The inquiries in columns numbered 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 are of such a nature that these columns only require to be filled when the answer to the inquiry is "Yes." | 11 | |
| Mother of Foreign Birth Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions 1790-1980. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1979. pp. 19 |
The inquiries in columns numbered 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 are of such a nature that these columns only require to be filled when the answer to the inquiry is "Yes." | 12 | |
| Male Citizens of the U.S. of 21 years of age and
upwards Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions 1790-1980. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1979. pp. 19 |
Every male person born within the United States, who has attained the age of 21 years, is a citizen of the United States by the force of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution; also, all persons born out of the limits and jurisdiction of the United States, whose fathers at the time of their birth were citizens of the United States (act of February 10, 1855); also, all persons born out of the limits and jursidiction of the United States, who have been declared by judgment of court to have been duly naturalized, having taken out both "papers." | 19 | |
| Male Citizens of the U.S. of 21 years of age and
upwards, whose right to vote is denied or abridged on other grands than
rebellion or other crime. Twenty Censuses: Population and Housing Questions 1790-1980. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1979. pp. 19 |
Every male person born within the United States, who has attained the age of 21 years, is a citizen of the United States by the force of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution; also, all persons born out of the limits and jurisdiction of the United States, whose fathers at the time of their birth were citizens of the United States (act of February 10, 1855); also, all persons born out of the limits and jursidiction of the United States, who have been declared by judgment of court to have been duly naturalized, having taken out both "papers." | 20 |