Just got my census!

[drubyfive]

Your point about the value of the census to amateur historians is the important thing. To be able to piece together a picture of your ancestors’ lives is a fabulous thing. When many FReepers’ descendants find out, after waiting with much anticipation for 2010 data to be released, that their great-grandparents were members of the human race, at least they will be able to deduce somethings about their political leanings.

[autumnraine]

You said it! I understand the sentiment, truly I do. But I know how valuable that information to me is and I think about my great great great grandparents giving the census worker information that is so beautiful to me! I found out that I had an interracial marriage (Irishman, black woman) just after the civil war. I wonder how much trouble they had to endure, is that where I get my nose (Ha!), etc...

Certainly since working on my family tree since 2002, I have valued the information given and when I look at the question I think about my great great grandchildren and what they would like to know about me and my life.

[Christian4Bush]

bump 38 and 39

[DJ BOB]

I GOT MY CENSUS FORM, READ IT CLOSELY, IT WANTS YOU TO “ PLEASE COMPLETE AND MAIL BACK THE ENCLOSED CENSUS FORM TODAY” SO I DID, IT IS DATED MARCH 15TH. ON THE CENSUS FORM QUESTION NO.1 “HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE LIVING OR STAYING IN THIS HOUSE, APARTMENT, OR MOBLE HOME ON APRIL 1, 2010” I WONT KNOW TILL APRIL 1, 2010, BUT THEY WANT ME TO COMPLETE TODAY AND SEND IT BACK TODAY ???? SO I SENT IT BACK UNANSWERED, BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW WHO OR WHAT WILL BE HERE IN THE FUTURE !! BUT I DID WHAT THEY WANTED ! BOB [DON’T BE AFRADE TO CHALLANGE THEM] I ALSO HAVE A NO TRESPASSING SIGN IN MY DRIVEWAY !!

[glennaro]

Down where it asked “race”, I marked it “Other” and wrote in “American”, which is about as valid as any of the other categories they put on the sheet.

I did the same. Besides, we have precedent. I recall the child-president's race shown on the fake COLB was "African".

If the census people follow up with a request for clarification, I'll tell them that since my wife and I were born here our "race" is properly "native American".

[AuntB]

In answer to ‘race’, I’m putting down”

“Hell, I don’t know, I’m an American Mongrel.”

[Lucky9teen]

That’s exactly what we did! F em!

[Lucky9teen]

My husband commented about that too....how am I supposed to answer a question about the future? LOL

[fwdude]

You filled out more than I plan to. Just filling out #1 and #2 - two cockamamie versions of the same question. I may write the section of the US Constitution refering to the census as a count for representation apportionment across the rest of the form, but these are the only answers they're getting. Come and get me.

Other than that, I plan to mail it on or after April 1 since the questions refer to that point in time. Don't want to be accused of making a false statement in case a family member or friend suddenly needs housing on March 31.

[fwdude]

There are only three races (racial stocks), if my then-valid social sciences education in elementary school still holds.
Caucasoid
Mongloid
Negroid

[<1/1,000,000th%]

I think it’s because Hispanics are not a “race” per se. They are an ethnic group and, I believe, are technically white unless there’s a mixed race situation so they have to ask a separate question.

They're not even an ethnic group. Hispanic usually applies to anyone who comes from a country where the Spanish or Portuguese (Brazil) had colonies.

So they can be black, native American, mixed black and Spanish, mixed native American and Spanish, mixed Portuguese and native American, etc.

You could do this all day.

[BunnySlippers]

How about writing “illegal alien” and see what happens. Nothing.

[BunnySlippers]

And still that NRA decal on the “no trespassing” sign as well.

[hoagy62]

I just answered and sent back my census. I did fill out ALL the questions, but I put down “American” as the answer to my race, as well as my wife and ALL my kids. We’re all Americans.

If they call me, I may just answer them the way you did.

[sr4402]

I was thinking about giving them one wrong digit, as I usually do with my phone number

Nope, don't do that. It is false information and the penalty is a fine. I simply did not fill that in.

Give them just what the Constitution requires.

[goat granny]

I moved to this house 10 years ago, if they ask my neighbor, all they will find out is about my dogs...Its a vet clinic...my other neighbor lives about 1/2 mile away..been to their garage sale, don’t even know their names...my neighbor across the street and down a bit, I know on site to wave at, he blows out my driveway everytime it snows and wont take any money for it..does it because he is a great guy. I forgot his name...but buy them a chocolate cake from a great caterier in a town about 40 miles from my home...let them ask my neighbors anything...to me that would be a joke...

[Petruchio]

Mostly the same here. Only headcount, name, and age. Under race I put Human with the comment “It is illegal to discriminate.” In the Phone number box I put “None of your F***in’ Business!”

[wolfcreek]

Same here. I’d be surprised if they even know our last name.

[steve0]

I think my wife stole mine. If I find it I am going to write as you did. What about all this racism. I thought all the libs agreed how terrible it was to ask the slaves if they were negro back in the 1810 census and the census during those times. Is it ok for them to make assumptions and decisions on race now?

[MonicaG]

Thank you - I just copied your answer.