This came through another list. Thought you all might enjoy it, too... Cathy Hall NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: cat5hall@email.msn.com TNGenWeb County Coordinator Co-host for Bradley County Page http://www.tngenweb.org/bradley TNBRADLE-Mail List TNBRADLE-L@rootsweb.com Polk County http://www.tngenweb.org/polk TNPOLK Mail List TNPOLK-L@rootsweb.com > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > >THOUGHT YOU ALL MIGHT GET A CHUCKLE OUT OF THIS -- HOW MANY TIMES HAVE >YOU WANTED TO PULL OUT YOUR HAIR SITTING AT A MICROFILM READER??? EH?? > >Friday September 23, 1859 Weekly Star > >THE NEXT CENSUS >The year 1860 is the time appointed for taking the eighth census >of the United States. From having been originally a simple enumerations >of persons, this Federal census has grown to be a decennial register of >the number of inhabitants and their occupation, religious denominations & >c, and also a statement of the commerce, manufacturers, arts and >industry, and the wealth of the nation. The collection of these >statistics has hitherto been attended with immense labor and difficulty. >The inquiries of the census takers have not only been baffled by the >stupidity and perverseness and ignorance of many to whom they were >addressed; but it has been impossible to obtain accurate information upon >important subjects because the parties; who alone are presumed capable of >imparting it, have never taken the trouble to inform themselves. It >often occurs that, in the absence of the head of a family no other member >of it is able to give the information required; for instance as to the >ages of the different members or it, or the amount of land in >cultivation, the number of negroes and their ages, the quantity and value >of horses, mules and oxen, &c., or of farming implements or farm >products. >In town and country similiar difficulties are continually met >with by the marshals appointed to collect these statistics, and the >census is consequently returned incomplete. It is probably that while >care will be observed to prevent any frauds or excess in the publication >of the next census, it will be ordered by Congress to be taken so as to >include all the most important items of information in regard to the >progress of our population and our country. >In view of this contigency the Nashville News very sensibly >suggest that each farmer, this fall , as he gathers his crops, shall keep >something like an accurate account of the quality and value of the same; >and if he will take the trouble to make out a statement of the names and >ages of his family; the number and ages of his servants, the number and >value of his horses and mules; the number of bales of cotton, barrels of >corn, bushels of wheat, oats, rye, barley, potatoes, &c., and leave it in >some place where any member of the family, who may be at home when the >deputy marshal shall call, can readily get hold of it, it will save time >to all concerned, and very greatly assist to make the census return >perfect, complete and satisfactory. >____________________ > >That is a splendid idea -- but half my poor ol' kinfolk couldn't read or >write -- and here I thought it was the census taker's fault :) !! > >Jan Walker -- lovingly researching the illiterate -- Pickett, Tucker, >Orrick, Toney and allied families! > > >==== TNGEN Mailing List ==== >Don't forget to visit TNGenWeb's Bulletin Board >http://pluto.beseen.com/boardroom/d/19731/ >Help the folks out if you can, but remember to answer >the query so it can be seen on line. >