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United States Census Analyzing Census Data (view source)
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'''''Accuracy.''''' Most of the time the census got it right, but . . . Ages on a census and the spelling of names are especially prone to error whether by mistake or deliberate. Old immigration dates may have been changed by memory errors. Racial minorities may have had reasons to hide their identity. Tired census takers may have taken sloppy notes, or struggled to understand a thick foreign accent. Censuses are an important source but should be compared with all other censuses and other documents before relying too heavily on their information. | '''''Accuracy.''''' Most of the time the census got it right, but . . . Ages on a census and the spelling of names are especially prone to error whether by mistake or deliberate. Old immigration dates may have been changed by memory errors. Racial minorities may have had reasons to hide their identity. Tired census takers may have taken sloppy notes, or struggled to understand a thick foreign accent. Censuses are an important source but should be compared with all other censuses and other documents before relying too heavily on their information. | ||
'''''Corroboration.''''' The best tools to bring to bear on analyzing censuses are the consistency of the data when compared with other censuses and other sources. Do independent sources created without reference to each other agree on the facts?3 Are there any contradictory sources? If so, can you explain the contradictions? | '''''Corroboration.''''' The best tools to bring to bear on analyzing censuses are the consistency of the data when compared with other censuses and other sources. Do '''''independent''''' sources created without reference to each other agree on the facts?3 Are there any contradictory sources? If so, can you explain the contradictions? | ||
'''''Likelihood of events.''''' Logically, could the events described on the census have really happened in the order suggested when compared to other sources? Does census information reflect what really happened? | '''''Likelihood of events.''''' Logically, could the events described on the census have really happened in the order suggested when compared to other sources? Does census information reflect what really happened? | ||