CAUTION: Do not depend on the reported dates for absolute accuracy. Quite frequently ages were reported to the census taker by a family member who had to guess (or even by some neighbor). For best results, study carefully and analyze the reports preferably of three or more consecutive censuses of each family with children still at home. Take plenty of time in reading the original or microfilm reports. Copy carefully all of the recorded data.Other points to note: Ages for younger children of the family are more often reported correctly than those for their elders. Ages for women over 30 are sometimes reported to be less than their actual age, and ages for men over 80 are sometimes reported to be greater than their actual age. |
