5 Replies Latest reply on Jul 9, 2020 10:23 AM by Roberta Ross-Fisher

Seeking 1910 Census Column Codes Key/Legend

Roberta Ross-Fisher May 25, 2020 3:43 PM

I need to find the legend or key for the column codes in the 1910 Census. Specifically, I'm interested in columns 29-32. Here is the specific citation for the one I'm interested in: Year: 1910; Census Place: Lafayette, Chippewa, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1703; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 0073; FHL microfilm: 1375716. There appears to be a pattern between those four codes and the "occupation" listed for each inmate. For example, all the inmates whose occupation was "Household Tasks" were coded in columns 29-32 as: 0-3-7-X. One of my ancestors (John Moriarity, line 95) is listed as an inmate, and I'm trying to find out why. Thanks for any help you can provide!

Re: Seeking 1910 Census Column Codes Key/Legend

Rebecca Collier Jun 5, 2020 10:46 AM (in response to Roberta Ross-Fisher)

Dear Ms. Ross-Fisher,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

The 1910 schedule pages you listed are for the Wisconsin Home for Feeble Minded located in Lafayette, Chippewa, Wisconsin. The index to the 1910 questionnaire is listed here and the instructions the 1910 enumerators were to use are listed here.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!

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- Re: Seeking 1910 Census Column Codes Key/Legend
  
  Roberta Ross-Fisher Jun 5, 2020 12:59 PM (in response to Rebecca Collier)
  
  Thanks so much for your help, Rebecca! This is greatly appreciated. In looking at the Census I have for my ancestor, it appears that the enumerator did not follow the instructions for columns 29-32 (see image). My relative is on line #95 and I'm trying to determine why he was institutionalized. Any thoughts?
  
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  - Re: Seeking 1910 Census Column Codes Key/Legend
    
    Rebecca Collier Jun 15, 2020 4:17 PM (in response to Roberta Ross-Fisher)
    
    Dear Ms. Ross-Fisher,
    
    Thank you for posting your follow-up request on History Hub!
    
    We suggest that you search for the inmate records of the Wisconsin Home for Feeble Minded. They may provide you with the information you seek. It was renamed the Northern Wisconsin Colony and Training School in 1922. Now it is called the Northern Wisconsin Center. Records may be at the Center or the Wisconsin Historical Society.
    
    We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!
    
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Re: Seeking 1910 Census Column Codes Key/Legend

William Stade Jul 6, 2020 3:31 PM (in response to Roberta Ross-Fisher)

Quoting from the web site of the National Archives, "A word of caution: On the 1910 census, columns 30-32 are often "overwritten" with numbers like 2-1-0-0 or 6-9-0-0. These numbers are not the answers for columns 30-32, but were data summaries used by Census Bureau tabulators in Washington, DC, to compile statistical data."
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- Re: Seeking 1910 Census Column Codes Key/Legend
  
  Roberta Ross-Fisher Jul 9, 2020 10:23 AM (in response to William Stade)
  
  Oh--thank you so much; I hadn't yet come across that information. It appears that I may never be able to solve this mystery based on Census records. Since this individual was a minor, I wonder if there exist some records in Wisconsin that confirm parental consent along with a reason why this person was committed.
  
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