IPUMS USA: descr: RELATE

IPUMS USA

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RELATE

Relationship to household head

Description

RELATE describes an individual's relationship to the head of household or householder. Beginning in 1880, data on household relationship was asked of every person. The general relationship code is reasonably comparable across years. The detailed code makes distinctions that cannot be made in all years.

The relationship codes are divided into two categories: relatives (codes 1-10) and non-relatives (codes 11-13). In general, the codes for relatives are self-explanatory. The non-relative codes are divided into three groups: "Partner, Friend, Visitor," roughly described as persons who do not pay or work for their accommodations (unless they share ownership); "Other Non-Relatives," including those persons paying or working for accommodations; and "Institutional Inmates." See the comparability discussion for further information about the coding scheme.

RELATE is not available for 1850-1870, but the IPUMS variable IMPREL produces similar results. As a convenience, the extract system is set up so that users may include RELATE in extracts of the 1850-1870 samples. In those years, RELATE contains the information that is documented in the IMPREL variable description.

Codes and Frequencies

Category availability view
Case-count view

General codes (15 categories)
Detailed codes (99 categories)

An 'X' indicates the category is available for that sample

Code	Label	2023 acs	2022 acs	2021 acs	2016 acs	2011 acs	2006 acs	2000 1pct	1990 1pct	1980 1pct	1970 met2	1970 met1	1960 1pct	1950 1pct	1940 1pct	1930 1pct	1920 1pct	1910 1pct	1900 1pct	1880 1pct	1870 1pct	1860 1pct	1850 1%+
	RELATIVES
01	Head/Householder	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
02	Spouse	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
03	Child	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
04	Child-in-law	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
05	Parent	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
06	Parent-in-Law	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
07	Sibling	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
08	Sibling-in-Law	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
09	Grandchild	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
10	Other relatives	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
	NON-RELATIVES
11	Partner, friend, visitor	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	·	·	·
12	Other non-relatives	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
13	Institutional inmates	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

Can't find the category you are looking for? Try the Detailed codes

Comparability

1. Group Quarters

The general code is comparable across all years. Users should note, however, that there are some fundamental differences between the early period (before 1940) and the later period (1940-2010, the ACS, and the PRCS). Group quarters residence is a primary distinction in the relationship variable for the later period, but before 1940 and in the 1940 100% dataset "relationship to head" was recorded regardless of group quarters status. Persons classified as related to the head (codes 1 through 10) in the early period would have been classified in the "Other non-relative" category based on their group quarters status in the later years.

We decided not to impose consistency between the two periods because it would have resulted in the loss of too much information in the early period. Users may recode RELATE for greater comparability across the two periods, but we recommend caution; a recode may lose considerable information, changing what were considered ordinary households in the early years into group quarters. To impose the 1970 group quarters definition on all years, create a new general RELATE category "14"--'Non-institutional group quarters members'--and classify all group quarters members (see GQ) from RELATE categories "1" through "12" into the new category. The meaning of the general codes for RELATE would remain the same, except that categories "1" through "12" would be strictly household members, and categories "13" and "14" would contain group quarters members (separated into institutional and non-institutional members).

In addition to the sharp differences between the pre-1940 and 1940-present periods, the definition of group quarters has changed in other years as well; see GQ for more information.

Note: The ACS and PRCS sampling frame did not include group quarters before 2006, and the 2000-2005 samples therefore lack the relationship categories that would be associated with persons in such living arrangements.

2. Category differences

Beginning in 1960, the census questionnaire provided a changing number of check boxes for specific relationships, followed by an open-ended write-in category. We believe the check boxes are likely to yield more reliable information. Users are encouraged to examine the relevant census forms to see which categories were written on the forms in particular censuses from 1960 to 2010. Prior to 1960 there were no pre-specified categories; all responses were open-ended.

Some of the following categories posed unique problems due to changing definitions and categories across census years:

Head/householder:

Beginning in 1980 the census questionnaire no longer referred to a "head of household", specifying instead the designation of "person one"--the first person listed on the census form. This reference person could be any household member in whose name the property was owned or rented. If no such person was present, any adult could be selected. Prior to 1970, enumerators were instructed to record the male as the head of household for all married couples, regardless of the couple's designation of a head.

Spouse:

In all years, the "spouse" and the householder must be opposite sexes, according to the Census Bureau's policies. See the "Partner/friend" discussion, below, for details about how same-sex "spouse" responses were recoded.

Child:

Step-children are not identified from 1960 to 1980, or in the 2000-2007 ACS and the 2005-2007 PRCS. The 1990 census form had a check-box for step-child, but still did not distinguish between natural-born and adopted children. The 2000 and 2010 census forms and the 2008 ACS/PRCS form specified separate categories for natural-born, step-, and adopted children. In 1990, step-children were reported as "step-children" even if adopted by the householder, while in 2000, an adopted step-child was to be reported as adopted. Natural-born, step-, and adopted children are all considered "own children" by the IPUMS, regardless of age or marital status. Foster children are considered non-relatives (see below).

In-laws:

In 2000, the two categories "parent-in-law" and "son-in-law/daughter-in-law" were added to the census form. Some "parents-in-law" belong to households where the head has never married--an impossible combination. These are probably step-parents of the head: since there was no "step-parent" option on the questionnaire, respondents likely selected "parent-in-law" as the next-best choice.

The 2000-2007 ACS and 2005-2007 PRCS questionnaires provided a single category combining all types of in-laws: child, sibling, and parent. We distinguished among these types using a classification scheme described here. When applying this scheme to the 2000 5% PUMS data, in which full detail on in-laws is available, 3.9 percent of in-laws are misclassified. Users who do not want to use the detailed in-law classifications can recode children-in-law, parents-in-law, and siblings-in-law into a general in-law category.

Starting with the 2008 ACS and PRCS, the Census Bureau provided detail on parents-in-law and children-in-law, but not siblings-in-law, who were likely classified by respondents as "other relatives." As in the 2000-2007 period, we have attempted to pull siblings-in-law out of this "other relatives" category using a different classification scheme described here. Applying this scheme to the 2000 5% PUMS results in 13.1 percent of siblings-in-law and other relatives being misclassified. Users who do not want to use the refined classification can recode siblings-in-law as other relatives.

Finally, the 2006-2008 3-year ACS/PRCS contains a blend of these two schemes: the 2006 and 2007 data in this file is classified as in the single-year files for those years, but the 2008 data collapses parents-in-law and children-in-law into a general in-law category while lumping siblings-in-law in with "other relatives". We use the 2008 classification procedures to pull out siblings-in-law, then classify all members of the "in-law" category who are younger than the householder as children-in-law and all those who are at least as old as the householder as parents-in-law. The error rates here are negligible.

Partner/friend:

This category changes considerably in meaning across census years. Before 1960, the category "partner" refers to a non-relative who shares the home and expenses with the head, including responses such as co-head and business partner. In 1960 and 1970, the 'Partner/friend' value is a residual category for all non-relatives in the household who are not employees or lodgers. In 1980, 'Partner/roommate' refers to a non-relative who lives with the householder and shares expenses. In 1990, 2000, and the ACS, this category is split into 'Housemate or roommate' and 'Unmarried partner'--the latter of which is supposed to distinguish those with a "close personal relationship" with the householder (see "spouse," above).

Unmarried Partner:

Relationships between unmarried, same-sex partners cannot be consistently identified before 2000. The "unmarried partner" category is not comparable between 1990 and 2000. In 1990, same-sex spouse reports were recoded in one of two ways: one of the respondents' sexes was recoded or the "spouse's" relationship was recoded into another relationship. In 2000, the policy was changed; in this census, all same-sex spouse responses were recoded as "unmarried partner" responses.

Other non-relatives:

The group quarters distinction makes this category particularly unwieldy, so in order to simplify the detail codes we separated this category into Pre-1940 system and 1940-2000 system. In general, the Pre-1940 System does not make any distinctions between households and group quarters, but the 1940-2000 system separates households and group quarters. The exceptions to this two-system coding scheme are the 1940 and 1950 100% datasets. The full count data use the Pre-1940 System to preserve granular details that may be of interest to researchers. References to 1940 and 1950 below should be interpreted as the 1% samples, and users of the full count data should refer to the comparability information for the Pre-1940 System. Any use of the detail codes across several census years will require particular attention to this category and possibly some recoding. The following groups represent most of the people classified as "Other non-relatives:"

Roomers/boarders/lodgers and foster children:

Before 1940 roomers, boarders, lodgers, and foster children are classified individually when possible. In 1940-1990, they are all classified together while distinguishing between those in rooming houses (group quarters, '1293') and those in households. In 1940 and 1950, however, boarders and lodgers in group quarters are in the 'Other non-inmates 1940-1950' (1284) category with students and military. In 2000, "foster child" was a separate category from "roomer/boarder".

Students, military, and members of religious orders:

The student (1222) category in the Pre-1940 system generally include people enumerated in secondary boarding schools and some elementary and secondary students enumerated in orphanages and asylums. Since 1940, people in college dormitories and military installations are classified as group quarters members under 'Military' and 'College dormitory,' except in 1940 and 1950 when they are part of the category 'Other non-inmates 1940-1950' (1284). The Pre-1940 system also contains a category for members of religious institutions.

Employees:

In the Pre-1940 system (including 1940 100%), we only retained the distinctions between the most common employee relationships. Most of these categories are domestic employees (servants, housekeepers, maids, cooks, nurses, and other probable domestics) who worked for the family. "Other employees" includes unspecified employees, farm workers, institutional employees, and other employees hired for business purposes. We recommend using the occupation variables (OCC and OCC1950) to determine the specific occupation of employees. In the 1940-2000 system the classification of employees is not consistent. All employees in households are classified "125-" except in 1990, when they are included in the 'Other non-relatives' (1260). Group quarters employees are only identified in 1940 and 1950, and for the other years employees are part of the 'Other non-inmates' categories (1270, 1294, and 1295).

Other non-relatives:

This classification in the early years (1230) includes any unspecified non-relatives, and is rather consistent for these years. In the 1940-2000 system this category (1260) is not as consistent; as mentioned above, in 1990 this includes employees in households, but for 1940, 1950, and 1980 employees are classified elsewhere. Also, the 1960 and 1970 censuses classified any non-relative other than lodgers or employees in the 'Partner/friend' category (1110).

Other non-inmates:

There are four 'Other non-inmate' categories with subtly different definitions. 1990 has the broadest definition; 'Other non-inmates 1990' (1270) includes people enumerated in military installations, college dormitories, rooming houses, and employees and heads of group quarters. In 1940 and 1950 people living in college dormitories, military installations and rooming houses are included in 'Other non-inmates 1940-1950' (1284), but employees, heads, and relatives of staff of group quarters are classified elsewhere. 1960 and 1970 have the narrowest definition, classifying military installation, college dormitory, and rooming house residents and non-inmates in institutions in separate categories, leaving only employees in 'Other non-inmates 1960-1970' (1295). 1980 has a definition similar to 1960/70, but 'Other non-inmates 1980' (1294) includes non-inmates in institutions, in addition to employees.

3. Note on coding in the 1910 and 1920 Puerto Rican Census samples

Entries of "hijo/hija de crianza" were coded as foster child, and entries of "socios/business partners" were coded as non-relative in the 1910 and 1920 Puerto Rican Census samples.

Availability

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Questionnaire Text

2023 ACS	2000 1%	1950 1%	1880 1%
2022 ACS	1990 1%	1940 1%	1870 1%
2021 ACS	1980 1%	1930 1%	1860 1%
2016 ACS	1970 Form 2 Metro	1920 1%	1850 1%
2011 ACS	1970 Form 1 Metro	1910 1%
2006 ACS	1960 1%	1900 1%

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2023 ACS

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

2. How is this person related to Person 1? ?

[ ] Opposite-sex husband/wife/spouse
[ ] Opposite-sex unmarried partner
[ ] Same-sex husband/wife/spouse
[ ] Same-sex unmarried partner
[ ] Biological son or daughter
[ ] Adopted son or daughter
[ ] Stepson or stepdaughter
[ ] Brother or sister
[ ] Father or mother
[ ] Grandchild
[ ] Parent-in-law
[ ] Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
[ ] Other relative
[ ] Roommate or housemate
[ ] Foster child
[ ] Other nonrelative

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2022 ACS

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

2. How is this person related to Person 1? ?

[ ] Opposite-sex husband/wife/spouse
[ ] Opposite-sex unmarried partner
[ ] Same-sex husband/wife/spouse
[ ] Same-sex unmarried partner
[ ] Biological son or daughter
[ ] Adopted son or daughter
[ ] Stepson or stepdaughter
[ ] Brother or sister
[ ] Father or mother
[ ] Grandchild
[ ] Parent-in-law
[ ] Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
[ ] Other relative
[ ] Roommate or housemate
[ ] Foster child
[ ] Other nonrelative

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2021 ACS

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2. How is this person related to Person 1? ?

[ ] Opposite-sex husband/wife/spouse
[ ] Opposite-sex unmarried partner
[ ] Same-sex husband/wife/spouse
[ ] Same-sex unmarried partner
[ ] Biological son or daughter
[ ] Adopted son or daughter
[ ] Stepson or stepdaughter
[ ] Brother or sister
[ ] Father or mother
[ ] Grandchild
[ ] Parent-in-law
[ ] Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
[ ] Other relative
[ ] Roommate or housemate
[ ] Foster child
[ ] Other nonrelative

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2016 ACS

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2. How is this person related to Person 1?

[ ] Husband or wife
[ ] Biological son or daughter
[ ] Adopted son or daughter
[ ] Stepson or stepdaughter
[ ] Brother or sister
[ ] Father or mother
[ ] Grandchild
[ ] Parent-in-law
[ ] Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
[ ] Other relative
[ ] Roomer or boarder
[ ] Housemate or roommate
[ ] Unmarried partner
[ ] Foster child
[ ] Other nonrelative

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

2. If the person is related to Person 1 by birth, marriage, or adoption, but is not the Husband or wife, Biological son or daughter, Adopted son or daughter, Stepson or stepdaughter, Brother or sister, Father or mother, Grandchild, Parent-in-law, Son-in-law or daughter-in-law, of Person 1, mark the "Other relative" box. Therefore, a niece or nephew of Person 1 would be categorized as "Other relative."

If a person is not related to Person 1, mark the applicable box. A "Roomer or boarder" is someone who occupies room(s) and makes cash or non-cash payment(s). A "Housemate or roommate" is someone sharing the house/apartment (but who is not romantically involved) with Person 1. An "Unmarried partner," also known as a domestic partner, is a person who shares a close personal relationship with Person 1. A "Foster child" is someone under the age of 21 who is involved in the formal foster care system. For all other people who are not related to person 1, mark the "Other nonrelative" box.

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2011 ACS

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2. How is this person related to Person 1?

[ ] Husband or wife
[ ] Biological son or daughter
[ ] Adopted son or daughter
[ ] Stepson or stepdaughter
[ ] Brother or sister
[ ] Father or mother
[ ] Grandchild
[ ] Parent-in-law
[ ] Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
[ ] Other relative
[ ] Roomer or boarder
[ ] Housemate or roommate
[ ] Unmarried partner
[ ] Foster child
[ ] Other nonrelative

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

2. If the person is related to Person 1 by birth, marriage, or adoption, but is not the Husband or wife, Biological son or daughter, Adopted son or daughter, Stepson or stepdaughter, Brother or sister, Father or mother, Grandchild, Parent-in-law, Son-in-law or daughter-in-law, of Person 1, mark the "Other relative" box. Therefore, a niece or nephew of Person 1 would be categorized as "Other relative."

If a person is not related to Person 1, mark the applicable box. A "Roomer or boarder" is someone who occupies room(s) and makes cash or non-cash payment(s). A "Housemate or roommate" is someone sharing the house/apartment (but who is not romantically involved) with Person 1. An "Unmarried partner," also known as a domestic partner, is a person who shares a close personal relationship with Person 1. A "Foster child" is someone under the age of 21 who is involved in the formal foster care system. For all other people who are not related to person 1, mark the "Other nonrelative" box.

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2006 ACS

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2. How is this person related to Person 1?

[ ] Husband or wife
[ ] Biological son or daughter
[ ] Adopted son or daughter
[ ] Stepson or stepdaughter
[ ] Brother or sister
[ ] Father or mother
[ ] Grandchild
[ ] Parent-in-law
[ ] Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
[ ] Other relative
[ ] Roomer or boarder
[ ] Housemate or roommate
[ ] Unmarried partner
[ ] Foster child
[ ] Other nonrelative

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

3. Mark the appropriate category to describe the relationship of each person to Person 1. If the person is related to Person 1 by birth, marriage, or adoption, but is not the Husband or wife, Son or daughter, Brother or sister, Father or mother, Grandchild, or In-law, of Person 1, mark the "Other relative" box. Therefore, a niece or nephew of Person 1 would be categorized as "Other relative." A parent-in-law, son/daughter-in-law, or brother/sister-in-law of Person 1 would be categorized as an "in law."

If a person is a stepchild or an adopted child of Person 1, mark the "Son or daughter" box.

If a person is not related to Person 1, mark the applicable box. A "Roomer or boarder" is someone renting a room/space in the house. A "Housemate or roommate" is someone sharing the house/apartment (but who is not romantically involved) with Person 1. An "Unmarried partner," also known as a domestic partner, is a person who shares a close personal relationship with Person 1. A "Foster child" is someone under the age of 18 who is involved in the formal foster care system. For all other people who are not related to person 1 mark "Other nonrelative".

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2000 1%

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2. How is this person related to person 1?Mark [X] one box.
[] Husband/Wife
[] Natural-born son/daughter
[] Adopted son/daughter
[] Stepson/stepdaughter
[] Brother/sister
[] Father/mother
[] Grandchild
[] Parent-in-law
[] Son-in-law/daughter-in-law
[] Other relative - Print exact relationship
[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]

If NOT RELATED to Person 1:
[] Roomer, boarder
[] Housemate, roommate
[] Unmarried partner
[] Foster child
[] Other nonrelative

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1990 1%

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2. How is this person related to PERSON 1 [the head of household]?

Fill ONE circle for each person. If Other relative of person in column 1, fill circle and print exact relationship, such as mother-in-law, grandparent, son-in-law, niece, cousin, and so on.

[Person 1 was not to answer this question.]
If a RELATIVE of Person 1:

[] Husband/wife
[] Natural-born or adopted son/daughter
[] Stepson/stepdaughter
[] Brother/sister
[] Father/mother
[] Grandchild
[] Other relative:
____________________

If NOT RELATED to Person 1:

[] Roomer, boarder, or foster child
[] Housemate, roommate
[] Unmarried partner
[] Other nonrelative

"Fill one circle to show how each person is related to the person in column 1. If Other relative of the person in column 1, print the exact relationship such as son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, nephew, niece, mother-in-law, father-in-law, cousin, and so on. If the Stepson/stepdaughter of the person in column 1 also has been legally adopted by the person in column 1, mark Stepson/stepdaughter but do not mark Natural-born or adopted son/daughter. In other words, Stepson/stepdaughter takes precedence over Adopted son/daughter."

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1990 1%

No questionnaire text is available for this sample.

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1980 1%

No questionnaire text is available for this sample.

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1970 Form 2 Metro

No questionnaire text is available for this sample.

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1970 Form 1 Metro

No questionnaire text is available for this sample.

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1960 1%

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(P3) What is the relationship of each person to the head of this household? (For example, wife, son, daughter, grandson, mother-in-law, lodger, lodger's wife)

____________________

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1950 1%

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8. Relationship:

Enter relationship of person to head of household, as

Head
Wife
Daughter
Grandson
Mother-in-law
Lodger
Lodger's wife
Maid
Hired hand
Patient, etc.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

109. Item 8. Relationship to household head.-For the head of the household, that is, the person who is regarded as head by the members of the household, enter the word "Head." For other members of the household write "Wife," "Son-in-law," "Grandson," "Cousin," etc., according to the particular relationship that the person bears to the head of the household.

110. Nonrelative of head.-For persons not related to the household head) enter a term such as "Lodger," "Partner," "Chauffeur," "Maid," "Hired man," "Employee," "Ward," "Foster child," etc. If you cannot find a specific term, enter "Lodger."

For lodgers, and for maids, hired hands, chauffeurs, etc., who may have relatives living with them in their employer's home, enter the relationship of the relatives to the lodger, maid, or hired hand. As examples, a lodger and his wife should be listed as "Lodger" and "Lodger's wife"; and a maid and her daughter, living in the home of the maid's employer, should be listed as "Maid" and "Maid's daughter."

111. Partners.-If two or more persons who are not related by blood,, marriage, or adoption share one dwelling unit as partners, write "Head" for one and "Partner" for the other(s).

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1950 1%

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8. Relationship:

Enter relationship of person to head of household, as

Head
Wife
Daughter
Grandson
Mother-in-law
Lodger
Lodger's wife
Maid
Hired hand
Patient, etc.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

109. Item 8. Relationship to household head.-For the head of the household, that is, the person who is regarded as head by the members of the household, enter the word "Head." For other members of the household write "Wife," "Son-in-law," "Grandson," "Cousin," etc., according to the particular relationship that the person bears to the head of the household.

110. Nonrelative of head.-For persons not related to the household head) enter a term such as "Lodger," "Partner," "Chauffeur," "Maid," "Hired man," "Employee," "Ward," "Foster child," etc. If you cannot find a specific term, enter "Lodger."

For lodgers, and for maids, hired hands, chauffeurs, etc., who may have relatives living with them in their employer's home, enter the relationship of the relatives to the lodger, maid, or hired hand. As examples, a lodger and his wife should be listed as "Lodger" and "Lodger's wife"; and a maid and her daughter, living in the home of the maid's employer, should be listed as "Maid" and "Maid's daughter."

111. Partners.-If two or more persons who are not related by blood,, marriage, or adoption share one dwelling unit as partners, write "Head" for one and "Partner" for the other(s).

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1950 1%

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e. Hotel, large rooming house, institution, military installation, etc. (name, type, line numbers of residents)

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Special types of living quarters

84. Item e-Hotel, large rooming house, institution, military installation, etc.-If you are enumerating the population of a hotel, a large rooming house, an institution, a military installation, etc., enter the full name of the place in the space provided.

In the space provided for "Type," enter the kind of place, such as "Hotel," "YMCA," "Army camp." If it is an institution, indicate the kind of person cared for and the kind of agency which operates the institution. For example: "State mental hospital," "Private home for the aged," "County poor farm," "Private nursing home," "State prison."

For each place, enter also the numbers of the lines which you use on that schedule for persons enumerated at the place.

Paragraph 89 shows a list of the kinds of places for which entries should be made in item e.

89. Special types of living quarters to be described in item e.-Following is a list of the types of places for which entries must be made under "Hotel, large rooming house, institution, military installation, etc.," in the heading of the schedule:

a. Institutions:

1.Correctional and penal institutions:

Federal prisons.-

Include: Penitentiaries, reformatories, correctional institutions, prison farms and camps, and detention headquarters operated by the Federal Government.

State prisons.-

Include: Prisons, penitentiaries, reformatories, prison farms and camps operated by State governments.

Jails.-

Include: Jails, workhouses, penitentiaries, prison farms and camps, and police station detention cells or lockups operated by county and city governments.

Public schools for juvenile delinquents.-

Include: Training, parental, or industrial schools operated by Federal, State, county, or city governments.

Private schools for juvenile delinquents.-

Include: Private schools for delinquents such as, "House of the Good Shepherd," "Boys Town," etc.

Detention homes.-

Include: State, local, and private detention and receiving homes.

2. Mental institutions:

Federal mental hospitals.-

Include: Hospitals for mental diseases (including Veterans' Administration neuropsychiatric hospitals) and hospitals for the treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts operated by the Federal Government.

State and local mental hospitals.-

Include: Hospitals for mental diseases, and hospitals for the treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts operated by State, county, and city governments.

Private mental hospitals.-

Include: Private hospitals and sanatoriums for mental diseases and private hospitals for the treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts.

Public homes and schools for mentally handicapped.-

Include: Homes and training schools for mental defectives, and homes, training schools, colonies, and villages for epileptics, operated by Federal, State, county, and city governments.

Private homes and schools for mentally handicapped.-

Include: Private homes and training schools for mental defectives. Also include homes, training schools, colonies, and villages for epileptics.

3. Homes for the aged and needy:

Federal and State homes for the aged and needy.

Local homes for the aged and needy.-

Include: Homes for the aged and needy, almshouses, poor farms, soldiers' and sailors' homes, etc., operated by county and city governments. Include homes providing care for both adults and children.

Nonprofit private homes for the aged and needy.-

Include: fraternal or religious homes for the aged and needy and those operated by nonprofit associations. Include homes providing care for both adults and children.

Commercial homes f or the aged.-

Include: Commercial boarding homes for the aged and needy. Include homes providing care for both adults and children.

Public homes for neglected and dependent children.-

Include: Orphan homes or asylums and children's homes operated by State, county, and city governments. Exclude foster-family homes.

Private homes for neglected and dependent children.-

Include: Private orphan homes or asylums and children's homes. Exclude foster-family homes.

Maternity homes for unmarried mothers.-

Include: Private maternity homes for unmarried mothers, such as "Florence Crittenton Homes," "Phyllis Wheatley Homes," and Salvation Army Homes. Also include any maternity homes of this type operated by State, county, or city governments.

4.Homes and hospitals for the chronically ill or handicapped:

Federal tuberculosis hospitals.-

Include: Tuberculosis hospitals, including Veterans' Administration tuberculosis hospitals, operated by the Federal Government.

State and local tuberculosis hospitals.-

Include: Tuberculosis hospitals and sanatoriums operated by State, county, and city governments.

Private tuberculosis hospitals.-

Include: Private tuberculosis hospitals and sanatoriums.

Chronic hospitals.-

Include: Chronic hospitals, cancer hospitals, and homes for incurables.

Public homes and schools for physically handicapped.-

Include: Homes and schools for the blind, for the deaf, and for the crippled, operated by Federal, State, county, and city governments.

Private homes and schools for physically handicapped.-

Include: Private homes and schools for the blind, for the deaf, and for the crippled.

Nursing, convalescent, and rest homes.-

Include: All nursing, convalescent, and rest homes. The homes are usually small (frequently fewer than 10 or 15 beds) and provide bed, board, and nursing care. In some cases such places may actually provide convalescent care, in others care is provided for elderly chronic patients.

b. Other special types of living quarters:

1. Nurses' homes.
2. Convents and monasteries.
3. Dormitories for workers.
4. Crew quarters on inland vessels.
5. Military installations.
6. College dormitories fraternity houses, and lodging houses devoted to students.
7. General hospitals.
8. Hotels, missions, "flophouses," etc.
9. Large lodging houses, residential clubs.
10. MCA YWCA, YMHA, YWHA.
11. Summer camps, tent camps, trailer camps, tourist courts, and motels.
12. School dormitories in schools below college level.

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1940 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

8. Relationship of this person to the head of the household, as wife, daughter, father, mother-in-law, grandson, lodger, lodger?s wife, servant, hired hand, etc..

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

447. Column 8. Relationship of This Person to the Head of the Household.-For the head of the household, that is, the person who is regarded as the head by the members of the house, whether husband or father, wife, widow, or unmarried person of either sex, write the word "Head" in this column. For other members of the household write wife, son, daughter, father, mother, grandson, daughter-in-law, aunt, nephew, lodger, boarder, servant, hired hand, etc., according to the particular relationship that the person bears to the head of the household. (See illustrative example.)

448. For lodgers, and for servants, hired hands, chauffeurs, etc., who may have relatives living with them in their employer's home, enter the relationship of the relatives to the lodger, servant, or hired hand. As examples, a lodger and his wife should be listed in col. 8 as "lodger" and "lodger's wife"; and a servant and her daughter, living in the home of the servant's employer, should be listed as "servant" and "servant's daughter."

449. Occupants of an institution, prison, school, etc., living in the institutional building or buildings, should be designated as officer, inmate, patient, pupil, etc.; and in the case of the chief officer, his title should be used, as superintendent, warden ,principal, etc., instead of the word "Head." Enter the prisoner's number in col. 8 for an inmate of a penal institution that identifies its prisoners by number; enter "prisoner" for a prisoner not identified by number.

450. For hotel households (see par. 425), enter the term that describes the relation of the person to the hotel, as manager, cashier, bellboy, housekeeper, guest, etc.

451. If two or more persons who are not related by blood or marriage share a common dwelling unit as partners, write head for one and partner for the other or others.

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1940 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

8. Relationship of this person to the head of the household, as wife, daughter, father, mother-in-law, grandson, lodger, lodger?s wife, servant, hired hand, etc..

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

447. Column 8. Relationship of This Person to the Head of the Household.-For the head of the household, that is, the person who is regarded as the head by the members of the house, whether husband or father, wife, widow, or unmarried person of either sex, write the word "Head" in this column. For other members of the household write wife, son, daughter, father, mother, grandson, daughter-in-law, aunt, nephew, lodger, boarder, servant, hired hand, etc., according to the particular relationship that the person bears to the head of the household. (See illustrative example.)

448. For lodgers, and for servants, hired hands, chauffeurs, etc., who may have relatives living with them in their employer's home, enter the relationship of the relatives to the lodger, servant, or hired hand. As examples, a lodger and his wife should be listed in col. 8 as "lodger" and "lodger's wife"; and a servant and her daughter, living in the home of the servant's employer, should be listed as "servant" and "servant's daughter."

449. Occupants of an institution, prison, school, etc., living in the institutional building or buildings, should be designated as officer, inmate, patient, pupil, etc.; and in the case of the chief officer, his title should be used, as superintendent, warden ,principal, etc., instead of the word "Head." Enter the prisoner's number in col. 8 for an inmate of a penal institution that identifies its prisoners by number; enter "prisoner" for a prisoner not identified by number.

450. For hotel households (see par. 425), enter the term that describes the relation of the person to the hotel, as manager, cashier, bellboy, housekeeper, guest, etc.

451. If two or more persons who are not related by blood or marriage share a common dwelling unit as partners, write head for one and partner for the other or others.

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1940 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

State ________, Incorporated place ________. Ward of city _________; Unincorporated place [Name of unincorporated place having 100 or more inhabitants] _______________________. Enumeration District NO.___________. Supervisor?s District NO.__________. County _______________. Township or other division of county ________________________. Block Nos. ___________; Institution [Name of institution and lines on which entries are made] _________________________________.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

427. Institutional Households.-The officials, employees, and inmates of an institution who live in the institution building or buildings make up one household. But if any officer or employee and his family, if any, live in separate quarters (a detached house or structure containing no inmates), they should be returned as a separate household. Note the instructions to identify institutions (par. 410).

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1930 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

6. Relationship of this person to the head of the family.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

131. Column 6. Relationship to head of family.-Designate the head of the family, whether husband or father, widow, or unmarried person of either sex, by the word "head"; for other members of a family write wife, father, mother, son, daughter, grandson, daughter-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, boarder, lodger, servant, etc., according to the particular relationship which the person bears to the head of the family.

132. Home-maker.-Column 6 is to be used also to indicate which member of the family is the "home-maker," that is, which one is responsible for the care of the home and family. After the word "wife," "mother," or other term showing the relationship of such person to the head of the family, add the letter "H," thus: "Wife-H." Only one person in each family should receive this designation.

133. Occupants of an institution or school, living under a common roof, should be designated as officer, inmate, pupil, patient, prisoner, etc.; and in the case of the chief officer his title should be used, as warden, principal, superintendent, etc., instead of the word "head." Pupils who live at the school only during the school term are not usually to be enumerated at the school. (See par. 68.)

134. If two or more persons share a common abode as partners, write head for one and partner for the other or others.

135. In the case of a hotel or boarding or lodging house family (see pars. 123 and 124), the head of the family is usually the manager or the person who keeps the hotel or boarding or lodging house.

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1920 1%

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6. Relationship of this person to the head of the family.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

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1910 1%

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4. Relationship of this person to the head of the family.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

103. Column 4. Relationship to head of family.?Designate the head of the family, whether husband or father, widow, or unmarried person of either sex, by the word "Head;" for other members of a family write wife, father, mother, son, daughter, grandson, daughter-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, boarder, lodger, servant, etc., according to the particular relationship which the person bears to the head of the family.

104. Occupants of an institution or school, living under a common roof, should be designated as officer, inmate, pupil, patient, prisoner, etc.; and in the case of the chief officer his title should be used, as warden, principal, superintendent, etc., instead of the word "Head."

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1900 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

4. Relationship of this person to the head of the family.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

125. Column 4. Relationship to head of family.?Designate the head of the family, whether a husband or father, widow or unmarried person of either sex, by the work "Head;" for other members of a family write wife, mother, father, son, daughter, grandson, d.-in-law, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, boarder, lodger, servant, etc., according to the particular relationship which the persons bears to the head of the family. Occupants of an institution or school, living under a common roof, should be designated as officer, inmate, pupil, patient, prisoner, etc., and in case of the chief officer his title should be used, as warden, principal, superintendent, etc. Institutions whose inmates occupy different buildings should be enumerated as though they occupied one institution building. If more than one family resides in the institution building or buildings, group the members together and distinguish them in some intelligible way. (See paragraph 103.) If two or more persons share a common abode as partners, write "head" for one and "partner" for the other or others.

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1880 1%

Questionnaire form view entire document: text image

8. Relationship of each person to the head of this family ? whether wife, son, daughter, servant, boarder, or other.

Questionnaire instructions view entire document: text image

In entering names in column 3, the name of the father, mother, or other ostensible head of the family (in the case of hotels, jails, etc., the landlord, jailer, etc.) is to be entered first of the family. The family name is to be written first in the column, and the full first or characteristic Christian or "given" name of each member of the family in order thereafter. It is desirable that the children of the family proper should follow in the order of their ages, as will naturally be the case. So long as the family name remains the same for the several members, it need not be repeated, provided a distinct horizontal line or dash be drawn in the place it would occupy, thus:

Smith, John.
___, Elizabeth.
___, J. Henry.

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1870 1%

No questionnaire text is available for this sample.

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1860 1%

No questionnaire text is available for this sample.

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1850 1%

No questionnaire text is available for this sample.

Editing Procedure

RELATE (Relationship to reference person) and MARST (Marital status)
ACS Years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
ACS editing procedure:
Note: There is an important change in 2013 in how the ACS addressed same-sex couples. The detailed editing and allocation process is described below. To briefly summarize: prior to 2013, RELATE and MARST would be edited to not include same-sex married couples. In 2013, same-sex married couples were included in the ACS and these editing rules were removed. Beginning in 2014, two parents and/or parents-in-law of the same sex were also allowed.
Note: The editing procedure for relationship to the reference person (RELATE) and marital status (MARST) in part depend on the original order of people in the household. This information is not available in public use data.
If a person is living in a 1-person household and their marital status (MARST) is missing, it will be allocated from another person in a 1-person household of the same sex (SEX) and similar age (AGE). When this happens, the flag variable will indicate the value of MARSTwas allocated (QMARST).
If there is someone in the household who is older than 14 (AGE), is the spouse of the reference person (RELATE), is a different sex than the reference person (only applies prior to 2013), but the reference person's marital status is missing or something other than "Married", the reference person's marital status will be changed to "Married." When this happens, the flag variable will indicate the value of MARST was allocated (QMARST).
If there is someone in the household who is older than 14 (AGE) and is the unmarried partner or the same-sex spouse of the reference person (only applies prior to 2013), and the reference person's marital status is "Married" or missing, the reference person's marital status will be allocated. The allocated value will be drawn from another reference person who is the same sex, similar age, and also living in a household with an unmarried partner who has a marital status of widowed, divorced, separated, or never married. When this happens, the flag variable will indicate the value of MARST was allocated (QMARST).
Only applies prior to 2013: For people who are listed as the reference person's spouse and are 15 or older, if the spouse is the same sex as the reference person the RELATE value will be replaced with "Unmarried partner." If they are listed as "Married" marital status will be allocated from another person who is the same sex, similar age, and an unmarried partner who has a marital status of widowed, divorced, separated, or never married.
If a person under 15 is listed as a "Housemate/roommate," RELATE will be replaced with "Roomer/boarder" or "Other non-relative" (alternating between the two values). When this happens, the flag variable will indicate the value of RELATE was allocated (QRELATE).
If a person over 18 (in 2008 and later: over 21) or who is not "never married" is listed as a "Foster child," RELATE will be replaced with "Roomer/boarder" or "Other non-relative" (alternating between the two values). When this happens, the flag variable will indicate the value of RELATE was allocated (QRELATE).
There are numerous situations that will cause a person's RELATE value to be allocated.

A person under 15 is listed as a "Spouse"

Beginning in 2010: A person listed as "Spouse" who is 50 or more years old/younger than the reference person.

A "Son/daughter" is not 12 to 69 years younger than a male reference person or 12 to 50 years younger than a female reference person

In 2008 and later: A son- or daughter-in-law who is less than 15 years old.

A "Brother/sister" is more than 35 years older or younger than the reference person

A "Father/mother" is less than 12 years older than the reference person

In 2008 and later: A "Parent-in-law" is less than 12 years older than the reference person

Prior to 2014: A "Father/mother" if there is more than one person with the same sex listed as a "Mother/father" (e.g., a household has two fathers of the reference person). In 2014 and later, this occurs if there are more than two parents of the same sex.

In 2008 to 2013: A "Parent-in-law" if there are more than one person with the same sex listed as a "Parent in law" (e.g., the reference person has two fathers-in-law) In 2014 and later, this occurs if there are more than two parent-in-laws of the same sex.

A "Grandchild" is less than 30 years younger than the reference person

An "Unmarried partner" or "Spouse" if there is another person in the household with this RELATE value (the person who comes first in the household record retains their RELATE value; the RELATE of the person who comes later in the household record will be allocated)

An "Unmarried partner" when the reference person married, when the unmarried partner is married, or when the unmarried partner is under 15

Beginning in 2010: An "Unmarried partner" who is 50 or more years younger/older than the reference person

If a person's RELATE value is missing, both this person and the reference person are married, and this person and the reference person are different sex, then RELATE will be replaced with Husband/Wife. In 2010 and later, this step also requires the person being no more than 50 years younger/older than the reference person. In all other cases, a missing RELATE value will be allocated.

When RELATE is allocated, it will be drawn from another person who:

Is the same sex as the person whose RELATE is being allocated

Is in the same broad age range (15 or 15+)

Has a similar age difference between themselves and the household reference person

Lives in a household with a reference person that is the same sex and marital status as the reference person in the household of the person whose RELATE is being allocated.

The above allocations will be looped through at least twice. After these allocations, final corrections are made for relative age:

A "Son/daughter" with an age that is less than 12 years younger than the reference person, will be replaced with "Brother/sister" or "Other relative" (alternating between the two values).

A "Son/daughter" with an age that is more than 50 years younger than the reference person, will be replaced with "Grandchild" or "Other relative" (alternating between the two values).

Prior to 2008: "Brother/sister" with an age that is more than 35 years older or younger than the reference person, will be replaced with "In-law" or "Other relative" (alternating between the two values).

In 2008 and later: "Brother/sister" with an age that is more than 35 years older or younger than the reference person, will be replaced with "Other relative"

A "Grandchild" with an age that is less than 30 years younger than the reference person will be replaced with "Brother/sister" or "Other relative" (alternating between the two values).

The flag variable will indicate the value of RELATE was allocated (QRELATE).
After these edits, MARST will be changed if necessary to be consistent with RELATE. If the spouse of the reference person is not listed as "Married," MARST will be replaced with "Married." Anyone who is under 15 and is not the reference person or the reference person's spouse will be listed as "Never married." Any "Foster child" will be listed as "Never married."
In 2008 and later: If a son- or daughter-in-law is "Never married," MARST will be allocated from another son- or daughter-in-law with the same sex and a similar age.
If someone has a missing value of MARST it will be allocated if the person is 15 or older and whose value of RELATE is son/daughter, brother/sister, father/mother, grandchild, in-law, other relative, room/boarder, housemate/roommate, nonrelative, or unmarried partner. The allocated value will be from another person who is the same sex, has the same value of RELATE, and is a similar age. If an unmarried partner (RELATE) has a value of "Married" for MARST it will be allocated from another unmarried partner who is the same sex and a similar age.
The flag variable will indicate when the value MARST is allocated (QMARST)
Internal ACS variable : REL and MAR

Data Cart

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Questionnaire Text

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Editing Procedure