Description

ELDCH reports the age of the eldest own child (if any) residing with each individual, regardless of the child's age or marital status. ELDCH includes step-children and adopted children as well as biological children. The highest legitimate age for ELDCH is 98. Persons with no children present are coded 99.

Comparability

From 1850 to 1930 and in the ACS and PRCS, all parent-child relationships can theoretically be identified, but for censuses from 1940 onward parent-child relationships cannot be identified for persons in group quarters. Group quarters individuals in the period since 1940 are coded 99 (N/A) in ELDCH, even though on rare occasions parents in group quarters may actually have resided with their children.

The comparability of this variable is affected by the information available on family relationships, including MOMLOC,MOMLOC2, POPLOC, and POPLOC2. MOMLOC2 and POPLOC2 are available only in 1970 and later. In 2017, the family interrelationship variables for samples from 1970 to present were revised to increase comparability across IPUMS projects and include same-sex couples. Samples prior to 1970 continue to use the original version of family interrelationship variables. Users will find it useful to read a brief overview of the key differences of the New IPUMS Family Interrelationship Variables.

ELDCH is based on the information contained in RELATE (Relationship to household head), MOMLOC, and POPLOC, for all years except 1850-1870. In these years, it is constructed from IMPREL (Imputed relationship). See MOMRULE, POPRULE and "Family Interrelationships" for a discussion of variations across years in these variables.

Of particular note, users should be aware that in years without SURSIM (1960 to 2000 censuses, the ACS and the PRCS) MOMLOC and POPLOC are not available for persons whose relationship to the head (see RELATE) is unspecified other relative or nonrelative if they are age 19 or older. Thus in these years, the eldest child in the household will be the eldest child under age 19. In years with SURSIM (prior to 1960), all appropriate links are made for all unspecified relatives and nonrelatives regardless of age.

Universe

Availability

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: All samples
• 2010: ACS; ACS 3yr; ACS 5yr
• 2009: All samples
• 2008: All samples
• 2007: All samples
• 2006: All samples
• 2005: All samples
• 2004: All samples
• 2003: All samples
• 2002: All samples
• 2001: All samples
• 2000: All samples
• 1990: All samples
• 1980: All samples
• 1970: All samples
• 1960: All samples
• 1950: All samples
• 1940: All samples
• 1930: All samples
• 1920: All samples
• 1910: All samples
• 1900: All samples
• 1880: All samples
• 1870: All samples
• 1860: All samples
• 1850: All samples

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: All samples
• 2010: PRCS; PRCS 3yr; PRCS 5yr
• 2009: All samples
• 2008: All samples
• 2007: All samples
• 2006: All samples
• 2005: All samples
• 2000: All samples
• 1990: --
• 1980: --
• 1970: --
• 1930: All samples
• 1920: All samples
• 1910: All samples

Flags

Editing Procedure

There is no editing procedure available for this variable.