In addition to some of the things that have previously been said about Census Data, bear in mind that the resident was NOT ALLOWED to see what the Census Taker had written down through the Census of 1870 (even if they could have read it). Beginning with the 1880 Census Data the resident had to Certify that the Data was correct to the best of his knowledge, etc. When all of these various factors are combined it is quite surprising that the data is even as accurate as it is. Although current generations tend to use Census Data as gospel that is far from the case. As always, ALL of the information available on a particular individual should be used to indicate the full story.