The printed version of the index received the Paul W. Thurston award in 1993 as a notable government document.

Paper copies of individual volumes or the full set are available for purchase from the Library of Michigan.

Through the Library of Michigan Foundation, the Talbert and Leota Abrams Foundation graciously provided the Library of Michigan with funding to support the indexing research.

The index lists the names of heads-of-household if only one surname was present in a dwelling.  In certain cases, surnames of other persons are indexed.  For example:

• a brother living with another brother and his family
• a married son living with his parents
• several persons of the same name living in a hotel or boarding house, or working in the household of another family
• surnames that were present in the dwelling as boarder, in-laws, etc. were indexed

The census returns are available at the Abrams Foundation Historical Collection within the Library of Michigan and at many libraries across the state.  Errors found or surnames not listed in the index may be reported to the Public Services Division at the Library of Michigan by sending email to 1870censusgroup@michigan.gov.