2010 US Census

I am sure everyone has received their 2010 US Census. It really takes just a few minutes to complete, and it helps the US Government plan for schools, roads and hospitals.

I heard that about 80% of the US population will comply and send in their census forms. The other 20% will not do so willingly because they feel the information is invasive. I read the form and it asks 10 simple questions that I don't feel are invasive.

As many of you know I enjoy genealogy. Recently, my mother-in-law needed to get a Social Security statement for her twin sister that passed away last year. In advance I called the Social Security office to find out what information she would need to get the statement. Somehow she needed to prove they were sisters. Luckily I had a copy of the birth certificate that showed twin sisters, and I had a copy of the US Census from 1930 showing the household and who lived there and their relationship. It was all the information they needed.

I looked back at some of the old census records and they used to ask a lot more information. Someone would be hired at the beginning of the year, given paper, a pen and a bottle of ink. Throughout the year they went from house to house asking the same information. It is great to go back and look at these records, the handwriting, to see who lived in the house and who lived right next door.

If you think those 10 simple questions are invasive, you will be interested to see some of the old questions that were asked. Personally, I have to say that this information has been invaluable, it has helped me trace back my family for decades.

Relationship to head of family

If foreign born, year of immigration to the U.S., whether naturalized and, if so, year of naturalization

School attendance, Literacy, ability to speak English

Birthplace of person and parents

If foreign-born, the mother tongue

Occupation, industry, and class of worker

Whether on a farm

For women, number of children born and number now living

Months not employed

Marital status and if married number of years married

Whether suffering from acute or chronic disease, with name of disease and length of time afflicted

Whether defective in mind, sight, hearing or speech, or whether crippled, maimed or deformed, with name of defect

Whether a prisoner, convict, homeless child, or pauper

Whether a soldier, sailor or marine (Union or Confederate) during Civil War, or widow of such person

Value of real estate owned or personal estate

Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane or idiotic

Number of slaves

Number of free white males according to age

Number of white persons over 20 who could not read and write

Number of pensioners for Revolutionary or military service

Hours worked in week

Wage and salary income last year

Whether at work previous day (or last regular work day)

Veteran status

If Indian: whether of full or mixed blood, tribal affiliation

Whether a survivor of Union or Confederate Army or Navy

The US Census is mandated by the US Constitution. The population is counted every 10 years to help determine Congressional Seats, Electoral Votes and government program funding.

The first Census was taken August 2, 1790. The census estimated the population of the United States at 3,929,214. The census records and data specific to individual respondents are not available to the public until 72 years after a given census was taken, but aggregate statistical data derived from the census are released as soon as they are available.

The Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906. Sorry, I know this is a lot of facts and you probably aren't interested. I think it is fascinating! Without the questions asked on some of the old census records I would not have been able to track some of my family.