1960 Census: Instructions to Respondents

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 The 1960 census was the first to employ a form of self-enumeration. The Census Bureau mailed each householder an "Advance Census Report" form that they were to fill out without the aid of census employees. Census takers (enumerators) later collected these forms in person and transferred the information they contained onto permanent FOSDIC census forms that computers read to derive the official tabulations. If a household failed to complete its advance report form, or filled it out incorrectly, the census taker interviewed that household and copied the answers directly to the permanent forms. (A few of the housing items were completed by the enumerators without consulting the respondents.) 

One-fourth (25 percent) of the households later received a second questionnaire containing additional "sample" questions, and census takers transferred the answers from these to permanent FOSDIC forms just as they did with the basic Advanced Census Reports. The 1960 PUMS was created from the FOSDIC forms for these sample households and the persons living in them. However, since the respondents originally answered the Advanced Census Reports and sample questionnaires, it is the questions from these that are reproduced below. 

The questions are presented in two sections, "Population questions" and "Housing questions." All persons contained in the PUMS answered all of the population questions listed below, but not all households answered the same housing questions:

1. Households in cities with populations of 50,000 or more were asked some additional housing questions not asked in other areas, while households outside of those cities received a different set of additional housing questions. Those questions asked only inside the 50,000+ population cities are marked PH-4" below, while those asked only outside of those cities are marked "PH-3." (The terms are derived from the names of the two FOSDIC forms to which census takers copied the information.)
2. The FOSDIC forms used to record the 25 percent sample all contained the same population questions, but recorded two slightly different sets of housing questions. Most of the housing questions did appear on both of the forms, but some appeared on only four-fifths of them, while the rest appeared on the other one-fifth of the sample forms. The 25 percent sample can therefore be thought of as two separate samples: a 20 percent sample (comprising four-fifths of all sample households) and a 5 percent sample (comprising the remaining sample households).

[This is the cover page to all preliminary "Advance Census Report" forms. Note that it mentions the possibility that the household might be issued a "sample" form in the future.]

 Dear Householder: 

This Government report form is for you to fill out before the Census Taker calls to take the 1960 Census of Population and Housing. The enclosed example will serve as a guide to help you put down the required answers for each member of your household. 

If you will have the form ready for the Census Taker by April 1, you can help speed up the Census and reduce costs. In order to make the results more accurate, you are asked to consult other members of your household, if necessary, to get the dates of birth and other facts. Any visitors who stayed overnight in your home on Thursday, March 31, 1960 should be listed in Section C of the report. 

As provided in the Constitution, the Census count will determine the number of seats in Congress to be apportioned to each State. The information which you give will also help Government and business in developing their plans, which may affect all of us. 

In one out of every four homes, extra questions will be asked. That home is picked by chance, so that no one knows in advance whether it will be yours or your neighbor's. When the Census Taker comes, he will tell you if your household has been chosen. 

The information that you are required to furnish is held confidential by law. Your Census report cannot be used for purposes of taxation, investigation, or regulations. 

Sincerely yours, 

[signed]
ROBERT W. BURGESS, Director
Bureau of the Census 
 

CONFIDENTIAL - The Census is required by the United States Constitution and further authorized by 13 U.S.C. 5, 9, 141, 221-4. The law requires that the inquiries be answered completely and accurately, and guarantees that the information furnished will be accorded confidential treatment. The Census report cannot be used for purposes of taxation, investigation, or regulation.

[The header to all sample questionnaires, whether 20% or 5%.]

Dear Householder: 

Thank you for your cooperation in providing the information you have already given the Census Taker. This questionnaire covers the additional items needed to complete the Census. 

You will see that questions about your dwelling are on the next page and that questions concerning yourself and each other person in your household are on the following pages. Please study the enclosed example before you start to fill in the form. 

Never skip a question just because it does not seem to apply. For instance, an answer of "No" to the question, "Did this person work at any time last week?" is just as important as an answer of "Yes." Whenever you do not know the exact answer (such as the cost of utilities or the amount of wages last year) make a reasonable estimate. After you complete the form, please check it over to make sure you have not missed anything. 

Federal law states that Census employees must hold all information which you give them in strictest confidence. The statistics published from this Census will not reveal any individual information. 

Please mail the completed questionnaire within 3 days in the addressed envelope which the Census Taker has left with you. It requires no postage. Your prompt attention to this request will be appreciated. 

Sincerely yours, 

[signed]
ROBERT W. BURGESS, Director
Bureau of the Census 
 

CONFIDENTIAL - The Census is required by the United States Constitution and further authorized by 13 U.S.C. 5, 9, 141, 221-4. The law requires that the inquiries be answered completely and accurately, and guarantees that the information furnished will be accorded confidential treatment. The Census report cannot be used for purposes of taxation, investigation, or regulation.

1960 Population questions

[These were asked of persons in all 1960 PUMS households.]

SECTION A - In this section list:

(P4) Male or Female (M or F)
        ___________________ 

(P5) Is this person - White, Negro, American Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Part Hawaiian, Aleut, Eskimo, (etc.)?
        ____________________ 

(P6) When was this person born?
        Month ____________________
        Year ____________________ 

(P7) Is this person - Married, Widowed, Divorced, Separated, Single (never married)?
        (Leave blank for children born after March 31, 1946)
         ____________________ 

P8. Where was this person born?
       (If born in hospital, give residence of mother, not location of hospital) 

       If born in the United States, write name of State. If born outside the United States, write name
       of country, U.S. possession, etc. Use international boundaries as now recognized by the U.S.
       Distinguish Northern Ireland from Ireland (Eire).
       ________________________________________
       (State, foreign country, U.S. possession, etc.) 

P9. If this person was born outside the U.S. -
      What language was spoken in his home before he came to the United States?
       ____________________ 

P10. What country was his father born in?
         United
         States...O OR _____________________________________________
                                (Name of foreign country; or Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.) 

P11. What country was his mother born in?
         United
         States...O OR _____________________________________________
                                (Name of foreign country; or Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.) 

P12. When did this person move into this house (or apartment)?
         (Check date of last move)
                                                           Jan. 1954
         In 1959 or 1960................ O     to March 1955.................. O
         In 1958............................. O     1950 to 1953.................... O
         In 1957............................. O     1940 to 1949.................... O
         April 1955
         to Dec. 1956..................... O      Always lived here............. O 

P13. Did he live in this house on April 1, 1955?
         (Answer 1, 2, or 3)

         1. Born April 1955 or later........... O
OR
         2. Yes, this house.......................... O
OR
         3. No, different house.................... O
                    Where did he live on April 1, 1955?
                     a. City or town ____________________ b. If city or town - Did he live inside | Yes...O
                                                                                                                       the city limits? | No....O
                     c. County ____________________
                         AND State, foreign country, U.S. possession, etc. ___________________ 

P14. What is the highest grade (or year) of regular school this person has ever attended?
         (Check one box)
         If now attending a regular school or college, check the grade (or year) he is in. If it is in junior
         high school, check the box that stand for that grade (or year).

         Never attended school...................... O
         Kindergarten................................. O
         Elementary                                            1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
         school (Grade)............................... O O O O O O O O
                                                                      1  2  3  4
         High school (Year)...........................O O O O
                                                                      1  2  3  4  5  6 or more
         College (Year)............................... O O O O O O 

P15. Did he finish the highest grade (or year) he attended?
        Finished this grade........... O
        Did not finish this grade..... O
        Never attended school....... O 

P16. Has he attended regular school or college at any time since February 1, 1960?
        If he has attended only nursery school, business or trade school, or adult education classes, check "No".
        Yes...O No...O

P21. When was this person born?
         Born before April 1946                           Born April 1946 or later
                     O                                                              O
        Please go on with questions P22 to        Please omit questions
       P35. Answer the questions regardless     P22 to P35 and turn
       of whether the person is a housewife,      the page to the next
       student, or retired person, or a part-       person.
       time or full-time worker.
Space for any notes about the entries for this person.
________________________________________ 

P22. Did this person work at any time last week?
        Include part-time work such as a Saturday job, delivering papers, or helping without pay
        in a family business or farm. Do not count own housework.
        Yes...O          No...O 

P25. Does he have a job or business from which he was temporarily absent all last week because of illness, vacations, or other reasons?
        Yes...O No...O 

P26. When did he last work at all, even for a few days?
        (Check one box)
        Working now...... O   1949 or earlier.... O
        In 1960............... O
        In 1959............... O Never worked..... O
        1955 to 1958...... O
        1950 to 1954...... O 

P27. Occupation (Answer 1, 2, or 3)
1. This person last worked in 1949 or earlier..............|
          This person has never worked.................................| O
OR
2. On active duty in the Armed Forces now.................. O
OR
3. Worked in 1950 or later...O    Answer a to e, below.
             Describe this person's job or business last week, if any, and write in name of employer.
             If this person had no job or business last week, give information for last job or business
             since 1950.
             a. For whom did he work?
                 _______________________________________________
                (Name of company, business, organization, or other employer)
             b. What kind of business or industry was this?
                 Describe activity at location where employed.
                 __________________________________________________
                (For example: County junior high school, auto assembly plant, TV
                and radio service, retail supermarket, road construction, farm)
             c. Is this primarily:
                 Manufacturing..............................................O
                 Wholesale trade............................................O
                 Retail trade.................................................O
                 Other (services, agriculture,
                 government, construction, etc.)..........................O
             d. What kind of work was he doing?
                 __________________________________________________
                (For example: 8th grade English teacher, paint sprayer, repairs TV
                sets, grocery checker, civil engineer, farmer, farm hand)
e. Was this person: (Check one box)
                  Employee of private company, business, or
                  individual, for wages, salary, or commissions.........O
                  Government employee (Federal, State,
                  county, or local............................................O
                  Self-employed in own business,
                  professional practice, or farm...........................O
                  Working without pay in a family business or farm... O 

If this person worked last week, answer questions P28 and P29.

P28. What city and county did he work in last week?
         If he worked in more than one city or county, give place where he worked most last week.
         a. City or town ____________________
         b. If city or town - Did he work inside the city limits?
                                     Yes...O No...O
         c. County ____________________ State ____________________ 

P29. How did he get to work last week?
        (Check one box for principal means used last week)
        Railroad............. O   Taxicab.............. O Walk only........... O
        Subway or                Private auto              Worked at
        elevated.............. O  or car pool.......... O  home.................. O
        Bus or                      Other means - Write in:
        streetcar.............. O ____________________ 

P30. Last year (1959), did this person work at all, even for a few days?
        Yes...O No...O 

P31. How many weeks did he work in 1959, either full-time or
        part-time? Count paid vacation, paid sick leave, and military
        service as weeks worked.
        (If exact figure not known, give best estimate)
        13 weeks or less............... O     40 to 47 weeks................. O
        14 to 26 weeks................. O     48 to 49 weeks................. O
        27 to 39 weeks................. O     50 to 52 weeks................. O 

P32. How much did this person earn in 1959 in wages, salary, commissions, or tips from all jobs?
        Before deductions for taxes, bonds, dues, or other items.
        (Enter amount or check "None." If exact figure not known, give best estimate.)
        $_________________.00 OR None...O
         (Dollars only) 

P33. How much did he earn in 1959 in profits or fees from working in his own business, professional practice, partnership, or farm?
         Net income after business expenses. (Enter amount or check "None."
         If exact figure not known, give lest estimate. If business or farm lost money,
         write "Loss" after amount.)
         $_________________.00 OR None...O
           (Dollars only) 

P34. Last year (1959), did this person receive any income from:
        Social security
        Pensions
        Veteran's payments
        Rent (minus expenses)
        Interest or dividends
        Unemployment insurance
        Welfare payments
        Any other source not already entered
Yes...O                                                 No...O
        What is the amount he received from these sources in 1959?
        (If exact figurenot known, give best estimate.)
        $_________________.00
          (Dollars only) 

P35. If this is a man -
        Has he ever served in the Army, Navy, or other Armed Forces of the United States?
        Yes...O No...O
                                    (Check one box on each line)
        Was it during:                                            Yes No
        Korean War (June 1950 to Jan. 1955).......... O   O
        World War II (Sept. 1940 to July 1947)....... O   O
        World War I (April 1917 to Nov. 1918)....... O   O
        Any other time, including present service........ O   O