After spending several hours tonight on stevemorse fabulous site scrolling through microfilm images, some of which were so faded as to be nearly blank; I got to wondering if the original copies of the 1870 Federal census still exist. Anyone know?

Pat, The originals are at the Archives in Washington. At one time if the film was unreadable the staff could get the relevant volumes to searchers. An email to the Archives ought to give you an answer. Jim Owens