This was my first post to [dw], dated Friday, March 17, 2000, 10:35 pm:

I'm new on this list, only been hanging around for a week or so, and you all seem so cozy and familiar with each other that I kind of feel like I'm butting into a private conversation, but I wanted to make a comment or two about the census.

Spring Dew explained pretty well the reasons for the "invasive" questions on the long form (which I have not seen). She mentioned also that this information is kept in the strictest confidence, but I think that bears
repeating. This from the information that came with the census form: "Your privacy is protected by law (Title 13 of the United States Code), which also
requires that you answer these questions. That law ensures that your information is only used for statistical purposes and that no unauthorized
person can see your form or find out what you tell us--no other government agency, no court of law, NO ONE." (emphasis theirs)

The information collected by the census will eventually be released to the public--about 70 or 75 years down the road. I believe the most recently
released census information is from the 1920 census--to the great joy of genealogists everywhere.

Your privacy is protected. Please don't falsify the information you give; you will frustrate future generations of genealogists terribly! As well as
making it more difficult for the government to figure out what services are needed where. I am not big on government intrusion in my life, and I have strong privacy concerns, but this is not as big a threat to your privacy as it may seem on the surface.

As for people who cannot read, or who don't read English, that is what your friendly neighbourhood census worker is for. If you don't send in your
form, you will have someone come a knock-knock-knocking at your door to ask
you the questions face-to-face. No-one will be penalized because they couldn't read or understand the form.

Hope this helps clarify the census question a little.

*CERIDWEN*