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Title: New estimates of Census Coverage in the United States, 1850-1930

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2013

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Abstract: This paper estimates age- and sex-specific net census underenumeration for the native-born white population in the United States for census years 1850-1870 and revises existing estimates for census years 1880-1930. National and sectional (section of birth) estimates are constructed. Although sectional differentials are not assumed to be significant in most censuses before 1940, the 1870 census has long been suspected of excessive undercounts in the South due to the unsettled conditions following the American Civil War (1861-65). The subsequent analysis suggests that while the 1870 census did suffer the highest net undercount of all censuses studied, coverage errors in the 1870 South are not nearly as severe as has long been suspected. These estimates should prove useful for a wide variety research, including estimation of demographic rates, voter turnout, and evaluation of record linkage success.

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Authors: Hacker, David J.

Periodical (Full): Social Science History

Issue: 1

Volume: 37

Pages: 71-101

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Methodology and Data Collection

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