The following article was found in an Ohio 1860 newspaper. I believe that it was meant to be published countrywide (but I could be wrong). Anyway, from the article I inferred that government knew that it was having problems with taking the census. It's a pity that our ancestors didn't realize that someday this "record" would be an important part of tracing roots. Portsmouth Times June 23, 1860 On the first of June the work of taking the Census commences. It is desirable that it be taken with great accuracy, and to enable the Assistant Marshals who will be engaged in the performance of this duty to have their work well done, it has been suggested that the publication of the questions necessary for all heads of families to answer would be of great benefit. By this course the requirements of law, will become known and the answers can be written down and be ready for the Marshal when he calls, thus saving time and securing accuracy. With this view, we have obtained the following list of questions to be answered, and if the Press of the State, of all parties will publish it, we think the population and resources of Ohio will make a much better appearance than they otherwise would. To write down an answer to these questions will only occupy a short time, and having his household about him to aid and assist, the head of the family will be able to make a much more correct statement than would be the case with a hurried interview with an officer. In the first place, it is necessary to write down the name of every person whose usual place of abode on the first day of June, 1860, was in the family: The age of each, sex and color, whether white, black or mulatto. Profession, occupation or trade of each male person over 15 years of age. Value of Real Estate owned. Place of birth, naming the State, Territory or country. Married within the year. Attended school within the year. Persons over 20 years of age that cannot read or write. Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict. Name of owner, agent or manager of the farm. Number of improved acres. Cash value of farm. Value of farming implements and machinery. Live stock on hand June 1st, 1860, viz: number of Horses, Mules, and Asses working Oxen, Milch Cows, and other cattle, Sheep and swine. Value of live stock. Value of animals slaughtered during the year. Produce during the year ending June 1st, 1860 viz: number bushels of Wheat, Rye Indian Corn, Oats, Beans and Peas, Buckwheat, Barley, Irish Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes; pounds of Wool and pounds of Tobacco. Value of Orchard products in dollars. Gallons of Wine, value of Produce of Market Garden, pounds of Butter, pounds of Cheese, tons of Hay, bushels of Cloverseed, and bushels of Grass Seeds, pounds of Hops, Pounds, of Flax, bushels of Plax seed, pounds of Maple Sugar gallons of Molasses, pounds, of Honey and Beeswax, value of home made manufactures. Name of Corporation, Company or individual producing articles to the annual value of $500. Nature of business, manufacture of product. Capital invested in rent estate and personal estate in the business Average number of hands employed, Viz: --Male, Female, average monthly cost of Male labor, average monthly cost of Female labor. Annual product, viz: quantities, kinds, values. Name of every person who died during the year ending June 1, 1860, whose usual place of abode was in the family, the age, sex and color, whether white, black, or mulatto, married or widowed, place of birth, naming the State, Territory or country, the month in which the person died, profession occupation or trade, disease or cause of death. In addition to these, there are a number or other questions, the answers to which can be obtained, however with little trouble. It is hoped that every person who sees this request will, before the first day of June, make out the answer and in case of absence leave it with the family ready for the officer when he makes his appearance.