Diane <genmail@1st.net> wrote: > You can either browse through one page at a > time, or you should be able to mathematically figure and fill in the > image number you wish in the "Go to image" box or come very close, > (keeping in mind that most page numbers have at least an A and B, > and some also have C and D. (As you browse, you'll usually notice > the same page number at the top of the screen at least twice, though > the actual page or sheet number originally placed on the census > image is different.) Diane and all: When you can see only one image at a time on your screen, as is the case for the on-line census images, it is difficult to get a grasp of how the pages are numbered. I've been doing some checking in the 1880 census and here is how I think the number goes. Keep in mind these two words: Recto and Verso. A "recto" is a right-hand page in a book. A "verso" is a left-hand page - the opposite side of a recto page. Some time before the census volumes were microfilmed (in the 1940s?) each page in each census volume was numbered using a stamp. Only the recto pages were numbered; the verso pages are the "other side" of whatever page number the recto is. As an example, suppose you start on the first page of a NARA microfilm. That recto page would be numbered (with a stamp) "1" in upper right-hand corner. The verso of page 1 is not numbered. The next page, immediately following is numbered "2" in the upper-right. Its verso also is not numbered. Thus each two images at one of the on-line census images is one page - the recto page (with the number stamped on it) and its verso with no number. What about the letters. This can provide a little bit of additional guidance but can also be misleading. The pages in the 1880 census carry printed letters in the upper right hand corner (for recto pages) and the upper left (for verso pages). The sequence starts with A on a right-hand page. Its verso is B. The next recto is C (upper right) and its opposite side is D (upper left). One thing to note is that you will not find a sequence such as 3A, 3B. 3C and 3D. Instead, there will be (on the images) 1A - B (no number but the verso of 1A, 2C and D (no number, but the verso of C. The letters are not essential to locating the page, but they can be of some guidance. Usually only A and C - the recto sides - are given in indexes. If B or D is given, then you know these images are on the page following the page with the stamped number. I am not certain why the 1880 census has sheets printed with A, B, C and D in the upper outside corner, for this is not always the case. Remember, as noted below each linked image in Genealogy.com, if you don't find your family be sure to go to the next image - a "page" consists of two images: the numbered image and the image following (the recto and verso images). If anyone has experience with using the indexes and census page numbers that is at variance with the above, I would appreciate a note on it. Regards, Richard "Richard A. Pence" <richardpence@pipeline.com>