This Week in History

This week in history in 1790, the first United States census was conducted. The census is one of the most valuable tools used to conduct genealogical research. Have you ever wondered what instructions the U.S. Marshals and the enumerators had to follow?  What is the difference between “keeping house” and “housekeeper?” How the government defined things such as race, dwelling, occupation, value of personal estate or even the terms idiotic and insane? Visit the following website to read the census instructions to better understand your ancestors and maybe even unlock a mystery or two. Picture courtesy of the LOC.