Overview of the U.S. Census - Revision history

Wesexon at 16:12, 14 April 2013

Wesexon — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 16:12:14 GMT

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	Because they contain such important information about individuals, families, and communities, '''U.S. census records''' are the most frequently used records created by the federal government. Recognizing their value to researchers, the [[National Archives and Records Administration\|National Archives]] began to microfilm federal census records in 1941, and with microfilming came the ability to make duplicate copies, then to digitize them. Because of technological developments, federal census records can now be researched via the Internet from a home computer or at the nearest archives or library.		Because they contain such important information about individuals, families, and communities, '''U.S. census records''' are the most frequently used records created by the federal government. Recognizing their value to researchers, the [[National Archives and Records Administration\|National Archives]] began to microfilm federal census records in 1941, and with microfilming came the ability to make duplicate copies, then to digitize them. Because of technological developments, federal census records can now be researched via the Internet from a home computer or at the nearest archives or library.

-	Beyond the records resulting from the population head counts conducted by the federal government, there are a number of other census records that should not be overlooked by researchers. [[Non-Population Schedules and Special Censuses\|Agricultural, industry and manufacturing, mortality, slave, and other special census schedules]] created by the federal government are also worth exploring, as are [[State and Local Censuses\|state and local censuses]]. [[Non-Population Schedules and Special Censuses\|Special censuses]] reveal a great deal about American territories, and some provide hard-to-find details about Native Americans. While the latter vary greatly in content and availability, information not available elsewhere can often be found in them.	+	Beyond the records resulting from the population head counts conducted by the federal government, there are a number of other [http://search.ancestry.com/search/category.aspx?cat=35 census records] that should not be overlooked by researchers. [[Non-Population Schedules and Special Censuses\|Agricultural, industry and manufacturing, mortality, slave, and other special census schedules]] created by the federal government are also worth exploring, as are [[State and Local Censuses\|state and local censuses]]. [[Non-Population Schedules and Special Censuses\|Special censuses]] reveal a great deal about American territories, and some provide hard-to-find details about Native Americans. While the latter vary greatly in content and availability, information not available elsewhere can often be found in them.

	=Uses of the Census=		=Uses of the Census=

Jutley at 20:58, 4 June 2010

Jutley — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:58:00 GMT

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	[[Category:The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]		[[Category:The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]
		+	[[Category: U.S. Census and Voter Lists]]
	{{Template:Census series (The Source)}}		{{Template:Census series (The Source)}}
	'''This article originally appeared in "Census Records" by [[Loretto Dennis Szucs]] and [[Matthew Wright]] in ''[[The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]'''''		'''This article originally appeared in "Census Records" by [[Loretto Dennis Szucs]] and [[Matthew Wright]] in ''[[The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]'''''

Matrayback: Reverted edits by Biebberfever1923 (Talk) to last revision by Matrayback

Matrayback — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:46:49 GMT

Reverted edits by Biebberfever1923 (Talk) to last revision by Matrayback

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	When evaluating any source, it is always wise to consider how, when, and under what conditions the record was made. By understanding some of the difficulties encountered by enumerators, it becomes easier to understand why some individuals cannot be found in the census schedules or their indexes.		When evaluating any source, it is always wise to consider how, when, and under what conditions the record was made. By understanding some of the difficulties encountered by enumerators, it becomes easier to understand why some individuals cannot be found in the census schedules or their indexes.

-	From the first enumeration in 1790 to the most recent in 2000, the government has experienced difficulties in gathering precise information for a number of reasons. At least one of the problems experienced in extracting information from individuals for the first census continues to vex officials today: there were and still are many people who simply do not trust the government’s motives. ~~ms. nes*n doesnt know what shes talking about. and guess what now i~~ have to go to ~~unf for tutoring lessons over summer break~~.	+	From the first enumeration in 1790 to the most recent in 2000, the government has experienced difficulties in gathering precise information for a number of reasons. At least one of the problems experienced in extracting information from individuals for the first census continues to vex officials today: there were and still are many people who simply do not trust the government’s motives. Many citizens have worried that their answers to census questions might be used against them, particularly in regards to taxation, military service, and immigration. Some have simply refused to answer enumerators’ questions; others have lied.

	==Boundaries==		==Boundaries==

Biebberfever1923: /* Problems Created at the Time the Census Was Taken */

Biebberfever1923 — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:14:21 GMT

Problems Created at the Time the Census Was Taken

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	When evaluating any source, it is always wise to consider how, when, and under what conditions the record was made. By understanding some of the difficulties encountered by enumerators, it becomes easier to understand why some individuals cannot be found in the census schedules or their indexes.		When evaluating any source, it is always wise to consider how, when, and under what conditions the record was made. By understanding some of the difficulties encountered by enumerators, it becomes easier to understand why some individuals cannot be found in the census schedules or their indexes.

-	From the first enumeration in 1790 to the most recent in 2000, the government has experienced difficulties in gathering precise information for a number of reasons. At least one of the problems experienced in extracting information from individuals for the first census continues to vex officials today: there were and still are many people who simply do not trust the government’s motives. ~~Many citizens~~ have ~~worried that their answers~~ to ~~census questions might be used against them, particularly in regards~~ to ~~taxation, military service, and immigration. Some have simply refused to answer enumerators’ questions; others have lied~~.	+	From the first enumeration in 1790 to the most recent in 2000, the government has experienced difficulties in gathering precise information for a number of reasons. At least one of the problems experienced in extracting information from individuals for the first census continues to vex officials today: there were and still are many people who simply do not trust the government’s motives. ms. nes*n doesnt know what shes talking about. and guess what now i have to go to unf for tutoring lessons over summer break.

	==Boundaries==		==Boundaries==

Matrayback at 19:12, 26 May 2010

Matrayback — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:12:20 GMT

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	Article I, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution required that an enumeration of the people be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress. In March 1790, after President Washington signed the first census act, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson sent a copy of the law to each of the seventeen U.S. marshals and instructed them to appoint as many assistants as they needed to take the census.		Article I, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution required that an enumeration of the people be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress. In March 1790, after President Washington signed the first census act, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson sent a copy of the law to each of the seventeen U.S. marshals and instructed them to appoint as many assistants as they needed to take the census.

-	From 1790 to 1880, census districts were aligned with existing civil divisions. The district marshals were authorized to subdivide each district into reasonable geographical segments to facilitate supervision of the enumeration. Enumeration districts were limited in size to 10,000 individuals by the Census Act of 1850, but final tallies show that the number was usually less than 6,000. In 1880, the Census Office appointed supervisors to further subdivide the districts. In that year, the average population of each of the 28,000 enumeration districts was less than 2,000.1	+	From 1790 to 1880, census districts were aligned with existing civil divisions. The district marshals were authorized to subdivide each district into reasonable geographical segments to facilitate supervision of the enumeration. Enumeration districts were limited in size to 10,000 individuals by the Census Act of 1850, but final tallies show that the number was usually less than 6,000. In 1880, the Census Office appointed supervisors to further subdivide the districts. In that year, the average population of each of the 28,000 enumeration districts was less than 2,000.<ref>Carmen R. Delle Donne, ''Federal Census Schedules, 1850–80: Primary Sources for Historical Research'' (Reference Information Paper 67, 1973) is filled with interesting details on why and how the census was taken, 1850 to 1880.</ref>

-	Early censuses were essentially an enumeration of inhabitants, but as the nation grew, so did the need for statistics that would reflect the characteristics of the people and the conditions under which they were living. The logical means for obtaining a clearer picture of the American populace was to solicit more information about individuals. In 1850, the focus of the census was radically broadened. Going far beyond the vague questions previously asked of heads of households, the 1850 census enumerators were instructed to ask various questions about every individual in the household, including their age, sex, color, occupation, and birthplace, along with several other questions. Succeeding enumerations solicited more information; by 1930, census enumerators asked more than thirty questions of every head of household and almost as many questions of everyone else in the residence. As W. S. Rossiter, chief clerk of the Bureau of the Census around the first part of the twentieth century, stated, “The modern census is thus the result of evolution.”2	+	Early censuses were essentially an enumeration of inhabitants, but as the nation grew, so did the need for statistics that would reflect the characteristics of the people and the conditions under which they were living. The logical means for obtaining a clearer picture of the American populace was to solicit more information about individuals. In 1850, the focus of the census was radically broadened. Going far beyond the vague questions previously asked of heads of households, the 1850 census enumerators were instructed to ask various questions about every individual in the household, including their age, sex, color, occupation, and birthplace, along with several other questions. Succeeding enumerations solicited more information; by 1930, census enumerators asked more than thirty questions of every head of household and almost as many questions of everyone else in the residence. As W. S. Rossiter, chief clerk of the Bureau of the Census around the first part of the twentieth century, stated, “The modern census is thus the result of evolution.”<ref>U.S. Department of Commerce, ''Bureau of the Census. A Century of Population Growth from the First Census of the United States to the Twelfth, 1790–1900'' (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1909; reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1967). This resource includes much information about the 1790 census and a list of common surnames and their distribution in the states.</ref>

	=The Census Bureau=		=The Census Bureau=
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	Although the Constitution called for a census every ten years, there was no special government agency to conduct and tabulate the results of this massive survey. Until 1840, federal marshals managed the process as best they could. In 1850, the first Census Office was opened in Washington, D.C. However, it was disbanded after the 1850 census and only reestablished in time to take the census and tally the results in 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, and 1900.		Although the Constitution called for a census every ten years, there was no special government agency to conduct and tabulate the results of this massive survey. Until 1840, federal marshals managed the process as best they could. In 1850, the first Census Office was opened in Washington, D.C. However, it was disbanded after the 1850 census and only reestablished in time to take the census and tally the results in 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, and 1900.

-	It was not until 1902 that the [[Bureau of the Census]] was established as a permanent bureau in the Department of the Interior. In 1903 the bureau was transferred to the Department of Commerce. The Bureau of the Census is responsible for providing statistics about the population and economy of the nation and for collecting, tabulating, and publishing a wide variety of statistical data for government and private users.3	+	It was not until 1902 that the [[Bureau of the Census]] was established as a permanent bureau in the Department of the Interior. In 1903 the bureau was transferred to the Department of Commerce. The Bureau of the Census is responsible for providing statistics about the population and economy of the nation and for collecting, tabulating, and publishing a wide variety of statistical data for government and private users.<ref>Szucs, Loretto Dennis, and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, ''The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches'' (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1988).</ref>

	=Strengths and Limitations of Census Records=		=Strengths and Limitations of Census Records=
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	[[File:Penn1830 lores.jpg\|thumb\|right\|150px\|1830 county boundaries for Pennsylvania.]]		[[File:Penn1830 lores.jpg\|thumb\|right\|150px\|1830 county boundaries for Pennsylvania.]]

-	In the days before regular mail service, government representatives conducted door-to-door canvasses of their appointed districts. Supervisors subdivided districts using existing local boundaries. The town, township, military district, ward, and precinct most often constituted one or more enumeration districts.4 Boundaries of towns and other minor civil divisions, and in some cases counties, were ill defined, so enumerators were frequently uncertain whether a family resided in their district or in an adjoining district. For this reason, it is not unusual to find individuals and families listed twice in the census and others missed entirely. Robert C. Anderson, et al., provide excellent examples and an analysis of this rather common problem in “Duplicate Census Enumerations.”5	+	In the days before regular mail service, government representatives conducted door-to-door canvasses of their appointed districts. Supervisors subdivided districts using existing local boundaries. The town, township, military district, ward, and precinct most often constituted one or more enumeration districts.<ref>Delle Donne, ''Federal Census Schedules''.</ref> Boundaries of towns and other minor civil divisions, and in some cases counties, were ill defined, so enumerators were frequently uncertain whether a family resided in their district or in an adjoining district. For this reason, it is not unusual to find individuals and families listed twice in the census and others missed entirely. Robert C. Anderson, et al., provide excellent examples and an analysis of this rather common problem in “Duplicate Census Enumerations.”<ref>Robert C. Anderson, et al., provide excellent examples and an analysis of this rather common problem in “Duplicate Census Enumerations,” ''American Genealogist'' 62 (April 1987): 97–105; 62 (July 1987): 173–81; 62 (October 1987): 241–44.</ref>

-	Over the years, state, county, township, and city ward boundaries have changed. Any census search can be thrown off by these changes and inconsistencies. For a thorough discussion of boundaries with detailed maps, see William Thorndale’s and William Dollarhide’s ''Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses'', 1790–1920.6 The introduction to this useful work includes a discussion of duplication in census records.	+	Over the years, state, county, township, and city ward boundaries have changed. Any census search can be thrown off by these changes and inconsistencies. For a thorough discussion of boundaries with detailed maps, see William Thorndale’s and William Dollarhide’s ''Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses'', 1790–1920.<ref>William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, ''Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790–1920'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987).</ref> The introduction to this useful work includes a discussion of duplication in census records.

	=Census Taking=		=Census Taking=
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	As the enumeration of each sub district was completed, the enumerator was to make two copies, which were to be carefully compared to the original for accuracy. Hand copying, of course, frequently produces mistakes. Experience with the various copies of the census shows that most copies were not error free. It was cumbersome and tedious to copy names and endless columns of personal information. Most enumerators probably never thought their copies would be read again once the statistical tabulations were completed, so it is easy to believe that many became careless as the job wore on.		As the enumeration of each sub district was completed, the enumerator was to make two copies, which were to be carefully compared to the original for accuracy. Hand copying, of course, frequently produces mistakes. Experience with the various copies of the census shows that most copies were not error free. It was cumbersome and tedious to copy names and endless columns of personal information. Most enumerators probably never thought their copies would be read again once the statistical tabulations were completed, so it is easy to believe that many became careless as the job wore on.

-	As the process was completed, the enumerator was to sign each page of the census, and at the end of each set of copies, to certify that the census had been taken and copied according to instructions. One set was to be filed with the clerk of the county court, and the other two were to be forwarded to the supervisor. As the supervisor received the completed schedules, it was his or her duty to see that every part of the district had been visited and that the copies were in good order. One set was then sent to the state or territory, and the other was forwarded to the U.S. Census Office for statistical analysis. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to distinguish the original census taken by the enumerator—the one likely to be most accurate—from the copies. While it is usually not possible to know if the original census or a copy was sent, it is relatively easy to recognize the census that was sent to the Census Office. “Researchers can distinguish the latter set from the other two because the Census Office made tabulations directly on the schedules; consequently, the central office copy bears pencil, crayon, and red ink markings on virtually every page.”7	+	As the process was completed, the enumerator was to sign each page of the census, and at the end of each set of copies, to certify that the census had been taken and copied according to instructions. One set was to be filed with the clerk of the county court, and the other two were to be forwarded to the supervisor. As the supervisor received the completed schedules, it was his or her duty to see that every part of the district had been visited and that the copies were in good order. One set was then sent to the state or territory, and the other was forwarded to the U.S. Census Office for statistical analysis. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to distinguish the original census taken by the enumerator—the one likely to be most accurate—from the copies. While it is usually not possible to know if the original census or a copy was sent, it is relatively easy to recognize the census that was sent to the Census Office. “Researchers can distinguish the latter set from the other two because the Census Office made tabulations directly on the schedules; consequently, the central office copy bears pencil, crayon, and red ink markings on virtually every page.”<ref>Ibid., xxi.</ref>

	In 1880, the procedure of making three sets of returns was abandoned. Enumerators forwarded the originals to the Census Office and did not make copies. In an attempt to correct errors, however, the Census Act of 1880 called for “public exhibition of the population returns,” and for this purpose it authorized enumerators to make a document listing the name, age, sex, and color of each person enumerated in the district to be filed with the clerk of the county court. If any of these lists have survived, they will be found at the county level.		In 1880, the procedure of making three sets of returns was abandoned. Enumerators forwarded the originals to the Census Office and did not make copies. In an attempt to correct errors, however, the Census Act of 1880 called for “public exhibition of the population returns,” and for this purpose it authorized enumerators to make a document listing the name, age, sex, and color of each person enumerated in the district to be filed with the clerk of the county court. If any of these lists have survived, they will be found at the county level.
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	=References=		=References=

-	~~To be added soon.~~	+	<references/>

	=External Links=		=External Links=

66.43.20.41: /* Strengths and Limitations of Census Records */ cp

66.43.20.41 — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:00:32 GMT

Strengths and Limitations of Census Records: cp

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	Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do the U.S. federal censuses. The population schedules are successive “snapshots” of Americans that depict where and how they were living at particular periods in the past. Census records since 1850 suggest dates and places of birth, relationships, family origins, changes in residence, schooling, occupations, economic and citizenship status, and more.		Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do the U.S. federal censuses. The population schedules are successive “snapshots” of Americans that depict where and how they were living at particular periods in the past. Census records since 1850 suggest dates and places of birth, relationships, family origins, changes in residence, schooling, occupations, economic and citizenship status, and more.

-	Once [[Home Sources\|home sources]] have been exhausted, the census is often the next best starting point for U.S. genealogical research. The availability of statewide indexes for almost every census year makes them logical tools to locate individuals whose precise residence is unknown. While some inaccuracies are to be expected in census records, they still provide some of the most fascinating and useful pieces of personal history to be found in any source. If nothing else, census records are important sources for placing individuals in specific places at specific times. Additionally, information found in the census will often point to other sources critical to completing research, such as [[Overview of Court Records\|court]], [[Overview of Land Records\|land]], [[Overview of Military Records\|military]], [[Overview of Immigration Records\|immigration]], [Naturalization Records\|naturalization]], and [[Overview of Vital Records\|vital records]].	+	Once [[Home Sources\|home sources]] have been exhausted, the census is often the next best starting point for U.S. genealogical research. The availability of statewide indexes for almost every census year makes them logical tools to locate individuals whose precise residence is unknown. While some inaccuracies are to be expected in census records, they still provide some of the most fascinating and useful pieces of personal history to be found in any source. If nothing else, census records are important sources for placing individuals in specific places at specific times. Additionally, information found in the census will often point to other sources critical to completing research, such as [[Overview of Court Records\|court]], [[Overview of Land Records\|land]], [[Overview of Military Records\|military]], [[Overview of Immigration Records\|immigration]], [[Naturalization Records\|naturalization]], and [[Overview of Vital Records\|vital records]].

	The importance of census records does not diminish over time in any given research project. It is always wise to return to these records as discoveries are made in other sources because, as new evidence about individuals is found, some data that seemed unrelated or unimportant in a first look at the census may take on new importance.		The importance of census records does not diminish over time in any given research project. It is always wise to return to these records as discoveries are made in other sources because, as new evidence about individuals is found, some data that seemed unrelated or unimportant in a first look at the census may take on new importance.

66.43.20.85: /* External Links */

66.43.20.85 — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:29:54 GMT

External Links

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	*Search the Census on [http://search.ancestry.com/search/default.aspx?cat=35 Ancestry.com]		*Search the Census on [http://search.ancestry.com/search/default.aspx?cat=35 Ancestry.com]
		+	*[http://go.footnote.com/census/ Search the Interactive Census on Footnote.com]
	*[http://www.census.gov/ Census Bureau]		*[http://www.census.gov/ Census Bureau]

Matrayback at 19:50, 28 April 2010

Matrayback — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:50:42 GMT

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	=Historical Background=		=Historical Background=

-	[[File:Enumerator-on-horse.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Each decade, enumerators have used different modes of travel to take them from interview to interview. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office.)]]	+	[[File:Enumerator-on-horse-lores.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Each decade, enumerators have used different modes of travel to take them from interview to interview. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office.)]]

	The actual records of civilization’s first population counts have apparently not survived, but there are indications that in early Babylonia, Egypt, and China, inhabitants were counted on a regular basis. There are ancient written accounts of Greek and Romans censuses, but those tallies, too, have been lost over the centuries. On the North American continent, the Spaniards led the way in census-taking, counting heads in 1577 in what was then Mexico.		The actual records of civilization’s first population counts have apparently not survived, but there are indications that in early Babylonia, Egypt, and China, inhabitants were counted on a regular basis. There are ancient written accounts of Greek and Romans censuses, but those tallies, too, have been lost over the centuries. On the North American continent, the Spaniards led the way in census-taking, counting heads in 1577 in what was then Mexico.
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	==Boundaries==		==Boundaries==

-	[[File:Penn1790.jpg\|thumb\|right\|150px\|1790 county boundaries for Pennsylvania.]]	+	[[File:Penn1790-lores.jpg\|thumb\|right\|150px\|1790 county boundaries for Pennsylvania.]]

-	[[File:Penn1830.jpg\|thumb\|right\|150px\|1830 county boundaries for Pennsylvania.]]	+	[[File:Penn1830 lores.jpg\|thumb\|right\|150px\|1830 county boundaries for Pennsylvania.]]

	In the days before regular mail service, government representatives conducted door-to-door canvasses of their appointed districts. Supervisors subdivided districts using existing local boundaries. The town, township, military district, ward, and precinct most often constituted one or more enumeration districts.4 Boundaries of towns and other minor civil divisions, and in some cases counties, were ill defined, so enumerators were frequently uncertain whether a family resided in their district or in an adjoining district. For this reason, it is not unusual to find individuals and families listed twice in the census and others missed entirely. Robert C. Anderson, et al., provide excellent examples and an analysis of this rather common problem in “Duplicate Census Enumerations.”5		In the days before regular mail service, government representatives conducted door-to-door canvasses of their appointed districts. Supervisors subdivided districts using existing local boundaries. The town, township, military district, ward, and precinct most often constituted one or more enumeration districts.4 Boundaries of towns and other minor civil divisions, and in some cases counties, were ill defined, so enumerators were frequently uncertain whether a family resided in their district or in an adjoining district. For this reason, it is not unusual to find individuals and families listed twice in the census and others missed entirely. Robert C. Anderson, et al., provide excellent examples and an analysis of this rather common problem in “Duplicate Census Enumerations.”5
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	==Problems with Accuracy==		==Problems with Accuracy==

-	[[File:~~Lincoln_in_census_web~~.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|1850 and 1860 U.S. federal census entries for the household of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. These entries appear on pages 120 and 130 respectively.]]	+	[[File:Lincoln in census-lores.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|1850 and 1860 U.S. federal census entries for the household of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. These entries appear on pages 120 and 130 respectively.]]

	But obtaining answers directly from the head of household or an adult in the house was no guarantee of accuracy either. For a number of reasons, ages are always suspect in census records. Many people tend to be secretive about their age; women may have been particularly sensitive about revealing the truth. One woman tracked in the census taken in New York from 1850 to 1880 claimed to have aged only twelve years in the thirty-year period. According to the 1850 and 1860 censuses of Springfield, Illinois, Mary, wife of Abraham Lincoln, aged only seven years in the ten-year period (see the accompanying image). She, or someone reporting for her, claimed that she was twenty-eight in 1850 and only thirty-five in 1860. Dozens of cases have been similarly noted; undoubtedly, some honestly could not remember how old they were. If a person’s age was not exactly known, it was frequently rounded off to the closest decade, making ages reported as thirty, forty, fifty, and so on somewhat suspect. Therefore, unless an age reported in the census can be corroborated with another source, it should not be considered totally reliable.		But obtaining answers directly from the head of household or an adult in the house was no guarantee of accuracy either. For a number of reasons, ages are always suspect in census records. Many people tend to be secretive about their age; women may have been particularly sensitive about revealing the truth. One woman tracked in the census taken in New York from 1850 to 1880 claimed to have aged only twelve years in the thirty-year period. According to the 1850 and 1860 censuses of Springfield, Illinois, Mary, wife of Abraham Lincoln, aged only seven years in the ten-year period (see the accompanying image). She, or someone reporting for her, claimed that she was twenty-eight in 1850 and only thirty-five in 1860. Dozens of cases have been similarly noted; undoubtedly, some honestly could not remember how old they were. If a person’s age was not exactly known, it was frequently rounded off to the closest decade, making ages reported as thirty, forty, fifty, and so on somewhat suspect. Therefore, unless an age reported in the census can be corroborated with another source, it should not be considered totally reliable.
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	"69. The arrows in the following diagram indicate the manner in which a block containing an interior court or place is to be canvassed:Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Fourteenth Census of the United States. January 1, 1920: Instructions to Enumerators (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1919)."		"69. The arrows in the following diagram indicate the manner in which a block containing an interior court or place is to be canvassed:Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Fourteenth Census of the United States. January 1, 1920: Instructions to Enumerators (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1919)."

-	[[File:~~Enumberation_instructions~~.jpg\|border\|left\|400px]]	+	[[File:Enumeration-instructions-lores.jpg\|border\|left\|400px]]

	<br style="clear: both" />		<br style="clear: both" />

Matrayback at 21:48, 23 March 2010

Matrayback — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:48:16 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:48, 23 March 2010
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	[[Category:The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]		[[Category:The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]
	{{Template:Census series (The Source)}}		{{Template:Census series (The Source)}}
-		+	'''This article originally appeared in "Census Records" by [[Loretto Dennis Szucs]] and [[Matthew Wright]] in ''[[The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]'''''
-	'''This article originally appeared in "Census Records" by [[Loretto Dennis Szucs]] and [[Matthew Wright]] in ''The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy'''''	+

	When the Founding Fathers of the United States convened the Constitutional Convention in 1787, they had no idea that they would, in the course of their deliberations, create incredible opportunities for generations of American family history researchers. While Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution does not directly mention the preservation of vital personal information for future generations, it does instruct the government to conduct a decennial census in an effort to fairly apportion the number of federal representatives from each state, as well as to decide on the amount of direct taxes to be levied. That effort to take stock of the U.S. population every ten years has produced, as a natural by-product, the greatest source of genealogical information available to U.S. researchers.		When the Founding Fathers of the United States convened the Constitutional Convention in 1787, they had no idea that they would, in the course of their deliberations, create incredible opportunities for generations of American family history researchers. While Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution does not directly mention the preservation of vital personal information for future generations, it does instruct the government to conduct a decennial census in an effort to fairly apportion the number of federal representatives from each state, as well as to decide on the amount of direct taxes to be levied. That effort to take stock of the U.S. population every ten years has produced, as a natural by-product, the greatest source of genealogical information available to U.S. researchers.

Matrayback at 20:45, 19 March 2010

Matrayback — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:45:18 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:45, 19 March 2010
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	[[Category:The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]		[[Category:The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy]]
	{{Template:Census series (The Source)}}		{{Template:Census series (The Source)}}
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		+	'''This article originally appeared in "Census Records" by [[Loretto Dennis Szucs]] and [[Matthew Wright]] in ''The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy'''''
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	When the Founding Fathers of the United States convened the Constitutional Convention in 1787, they had no idea that they would, in the course of their deliberations, create incredible opportunities for generations of American family history researchers. While Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution does not directly mention the preservation of vital personal information for future generations, it does instruct the government to conduct a decennial census in an effort to fairly apportion the number of federal representatives from each state, as well as to decide on the amount of direct taxes to be levied. That effort to take stock of the U.S. population every ten years has produced, as a natural by-product, the greatest source of genealogical information available to U.S. researchers.		When the Founding Fathers of the United States convened the Constitutional Convention in 1787, they had no idea that they would, in the course of their deliberations, create incredible opportunities for generations of American family history researchers. While Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution does not directly mention the preservation of vital personal information for future generations, it does instruct the government to conduct a decennial census in an effort to fairly apportion the number of federal representatives from each state, as well as to decide on the amount of direct taxes to be levied. That effort to take stock of the U.S. population every ten years has produced, as a natural by-product, the greatest source of genealogical information available to U.S. researchers.

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	Census records contain the basic documentation for the study of U.S. history, biography, demography, immigration, migration, ethnicity, occupations, economics, social anthropology, medical history, local history, and family history. Social historians, journalists, the media, and government agencies have come to rely on the census as a reliable source for valuable and fascinating pieces of information.		Census records contain the basic documentation for the study of U.S. history, biography, demography, immigration, migration, ethnicity, occupations, economics, social anthropology, medical history, local history, and family history. Social historians, journalists, the media, and government agencies have come to rely on the census as a reliable source for valuable and fascinating pieces of information.

-	Certain research topics have lent themselves well to the use of the U.S. federal census. Occupational data and property values noted in some census years have been the basis for economic studies, and inquiries regarding Revolutionary War pensioners ([[1840 ~~U.S. Census\|1840]]~~), Civil War veterans ([[1890 ~~U.S. Census\|1890]]~~ and ~~[[1910 U.S. Census\|~~1910]]), and participants in other expeditions or wars ([[1930 ~~U.S. Census\|1930]]~~) can aid military research. Reconstruction of historic sites in Philadelphia; an examination of foreign-born farmers, women, and blacks in nineteenth-century Concord, Massachusetts; and regional studies, such as that of Dickinson County, Kansas, have sought support from a combination of records—but notably the census. The ~~[[1860 U.S. Census\|~~1860 census]] provided particulars on the domestics in their place of employment, while making possible the reconstitution of their families of origin residing on surrounding farmlands. More recent census records have been used by medical researchers to track families and to study hereditary and communicable disease patterns.	+	Certain research topics have lent themselves well to the use of the U.S. federal census. Occupational data and property values noted in some census years have been the basis for economic studies, and inquiries regarding Revolutionary War pensioners (1840), Civil War veterans (1890 and 1910), and participants in other expeditions or wars (1930) can aid military research. Reconstruction of historic sites in Philadelphia; an examination of foreign-born farmers, women, and blacks in nineteenth-century Concord, Massachusetts; and regional studies, such as that of Dickinson County, Kansas, have sought support from a combination of records—but notably the census. The 1860 census provided particulars on the domestics in their place of employment, while making possible the reconstitution of their families of origin residing on surrounding farmlands. More recent census records have been used by medical researchers to track families and to study hereditary and communicable disease patterns.

	The most popular use of the census, however, is to trace family history. No other source matches the census record’s ability to place people in a certain place at a certain time or to provide such a detailed picture of lives and lifestyles at given intervals. The promise of that picture, and of seeing it clearly, keeps researchers going against all odds.		The most popular use of the census, however, is to trace family history. No other source matches the census record’s ability to place people in a certain place at a certain time or to provide such a detailed picture of lives and lifestyles at given intervals. The promise of that picture, and of seeing it clearly, keeps researchers going against all odds.
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	From 1790 to 1880, census districts were aligned with existing civil divisions. The district marshals were authorized to subdivide each district into reasonable geographical segments to facilitate supervision of the enumeration. Enumeration districts were limited in size to 10,000 individuals by the Census Act of 1850, but final tallies show that the number was usually less than 6,000. In 1880, the Census Office appointed supervisors to further subdivide the districts. In that year, the average population of each of the 28,000 enumeration districts was less than 2,000.1		From 1790 to 1880, census districts were aligned with existing civil divisions. The district marshals were authorized to subdivide each district into reasonable geographical segments to facilitate supervision of the enumeration. Enumeration districts were limited in size to 10,000 individuals by the Census Act of 1850, but final tallies show that the number was usually less than 6,000. In 1880, the Census Office appointed supervisors to further subdivide the districts. In that year, the average population of each of the 28,000 enumeration districts was less than 2,000.1

-	Early censuses were essentially an enumeration of inhabitants, but as the nation grew, so did the need for statistics that would reflect the characteristics of the people and the conditions under which they were living. The logical means for obtaining a clearer picture of the American populace was to solicit more information about individuals. In [[1850 ~~U.S. Census\|1850]]~~, the focus of the census was radically broadened. Going far beyond the vague questions previously asked of heads of households, the 1850 census enumerators were instructed to ask various questions about every individual in the household, including their age, sex, color, occupation, and birthplace, along with several other questions. Succeeding enumerations solicited more information; by 1930, census enumerators asked more than thirty questions of every head of household and almost as many questions of everyone else in the residence. As W. S. Rossiter, chief clerk of the Bureau of the Census around the first part of the twentieth century, stated, “The modern census is thus the result of evolution.”2	+	Early censuses were essentially an enumeration of inhabitants, but as the nation grew, so did the need for statistics that would reflect the characteristics of the people and the conditions under which they were living. The logical means for obtaining a clearer picture of the American populace was to solicit more information about individuals. In 1850, the focus of the census was radically broadened. Going far beyond the vague questions previously asked of heads of households, the 1850 census enumerators were instructed to ask various questions about every individual in the household, including their age, sex, color, occupation, and birthplace, along with several other questions. Succeeding enumerations solicited more information; by 1930, census enumerators asked more than thirty questions of every head of household and almost as many questions of everyone else in the residence. As W. S. Rossiter, chief clerk of the Bureau of the Census around the first part of the twentieth century, stated, “The modern census is thus the result of evolution.”2

	=The Census Bureau=		=The Census Bureau=
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	Although the Constitution called for a census every ten years, there was no special government agency to conduct and tabulate the results of this massive survey. Until 1840, federal marshals managed the process as best they could. In 1850, the first Census Office was opened in Washington, D.C. However, it was disbanded after the 1850 census and only reestablished in time to take the census and tally the results in 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, and 1900.		Although the Constitution called for a census every ten years, there was no special government agency to conduct and tabulate the results of this massive survey. Until 1840, federal marshals managed the process as best they could. In 1850, the first Census Office was opened in Washington, D.C. However, it was disbanded after the 1850 census and only reestablished in time to take the census and tally the results in 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, and 1900.

-	It was not until 1902 that the [~~http://www.census.gov/~~ Bureau of the Census] was established as a permanent bureau in the Department of the Interior. In 1903 the bureau was transferred to the Department of Commerce. The Bureau of the Census is responsible for providing statistics about the population and economy of the nation and for collecting, tabulating, and publishing a wide variety of statistical data for government and private users.3	+	It was not until 1902 that the [[Bureau of the Census]] was established as a permanent bureau in the Department of the Interior. In 1903 the bureau was transferred to the Department of Commerce. The Bureau of the Census is responsible for providing statistics about the population and economy of the nation and for collecting, tabulating, and publishing a wide variety of statistical data for government and private users.3

	=Strengths and Limitations of Census Records=		=Strengths and Limitations of Census Records=
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	Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do the U.S. federal censuses. The population schedules are successive “snapshots” of Americans that depict where and how they were living at particular periods in the past. Census records since 1850 suggest dates and places of birth, relationships, family origins, changes in residence, schooling, occupations, economic and citizenship status, and more.		Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do the U.S. federal censuses. The population schedules are successive “snapshots” of Americans that depict where and how they were living at particular periods in the past. Census records since 1850 suggest dates and places of birth, relationships, family origins, changes in residence, schooling, occupations, economic and citizenship status, and more.

-	Once [[Home Sources\|home sources]] have been exhausted, the census is often the next best starting point for U.S. genealogical research. The availability of statewide indexes for almost every census year makes them logical tools to locate individuals whose precise residence is unknown. While some inaccuracies are to be expected in census records, they still provide some of the most fascinating and useful pieces of personal history to be found in any source. If nothing else, census records are important sources for placing individuals in specific places at specific times. Additionally, information found in the census will often point to other sources critical to completing research, such as [[Overview of Court Records\|court]], [[Overview of Land Records\|land]], [[Overview of Military Records\|military]], [[Overview of Immigration Records\|immigration]], [[Naturalization Records\|naturalization]], and [[Overview of Vital Records\|vital records]].	+	Once [[Home Sources\|home sources]] have been exhausted, the census is often the next best starting point for U.S. genealogical research. The availability of statewide indexes for almost every census year makes them logical tools to locate individuals whose precise residence is unknown. While some inaccuracies are to be expected in census records, they still provide some of the most fascinating and useful pieces of personal history to be found in any source. If nothing else, census records are important sources for placing individuals in specific places at specific times. Additionally, information found in the census will often point to other sources critical to completing research, such as [[Overview of Court Records\|court]], [[Overview of Land Records\|land]], [[Overview of Military Records\|military]], [[Overview of Immigration Records\|immigration]], [Naturalization Records\|naturalization]], and [[Overview of Vital Records\|vital records]].

	The importance of census records does not diminish over time in any given research project. It is always wise to return to these records as discoveries are made in other sources because, as new evidence about individuals is found, some data that seemed unrelated or unimportant in a first look at the census may take on new importance.		The importance of census records does not diminish over time in any given research project. It is always wise to return to these records as discoveries are made in other sources because, as new evidence about individuals is found, some data that seemed unrelated or unimportant in a first look at the census may take on new importance.