Instructions to Enumerators-Housing The census takers continued to define "nondwelling-unit quarters" (item 3) as they had in 1940, including as dwelling units those places with fewer than 10 lodgers. However, in subsequent office coding, any residence with 5 to 9 lodgers was reclassified as a nondwelling unit and excluded from the housing inventory. Vacant trailers, tents, boats, etc., were not enumerated. There were detailed instructions for classifying various facilities (such as plumbing), equipment, and rooms for inclusion in the census. In item 7 (condition of unit), the enumerator had to decide whether or not the place was "dilapidated," which, in conjunction with the information on plumbing facilities (items 10-13) would provide an indicator of housing quality. The reference manual had a special illustrated section devoted to item 7 and training was augmented with a filmstrip. With this background, "dilapidated" or "not dilapidated" was to be checked without asking the householder about the condition of the unit. The decision was to be made on the basis of observation, looking for critical and minor housing deficiencies or for the adequacy of the original construction. A dilapidated unit, the census taker was told, was "below the generally accepted minimum standard for housing." It failed to protect the occupants from the elements or endangered their health or safety. It could be dilapidated because it had been neglected or because the original construction had been inadequate in the first place. A unit was not to be reported as "dilapidated" simply because it was old or dingy, nor was it "not dilapidated" because it happened to be freshly painted or shingled over. Items 14 and 15 were five different sets of questions, and each household answered the set found on the line on which it was enumerated (thus constituting a 20-percent sample for these items). Measuring America 71 1960 QUESTIONNAIRE The responses supplied by householders to the inquiries shown below were transcribed by enumerators to machine-readable forms, 14 1/8" X 17 1/4," which were the official 1960 schedules. Instructions For the population inquiries, questions P3-P7 were asked for all persons, but the other items (P8ff.) were collected on a 25-percent basis. In 1960, the housing unit or the group quarters (the dwelling or nondwelling units in 1950) was the sampling unit, so that everyone living in that unit fell in the sample. There were special procedures for sampling persons in institutions and similar facilities, however. A unit with five or more lodgers or six unrelated individuals (one of whom was designated as head) was classified as "group quarters." The month of birth (P6) was collected for everyone, but only the quarter was transcribed to the official schedule. The instructions for completing P5 (race or color) by observation directed that Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, or other persons of Latin descent would be classified as "White" unless they were definitely Negro, Indian, or some other race. Southern European and Near Eastern nationalities also were to be considered White. Asian Indians were to be classified as "Other," and "Hindu" written in. The husband of a married couple was always to be listed as the head of the household if he was present. Housing questions H3-H16 were asked for all housing units, and the others (H17H46) on either a 25-, 20-, or 5-percent sample basis. (The 20- and 5-percent samples were subdivisions of the 25-percent selection.) Questions on the presence of a kitchen sink and electric lighting, and the type of refrigerator asked in 1950 were omitted. A number of new sample items were added, however, mainly on facilities and equipment, and detailed instructions were supplied. In question H6 (condition), the category "Not dilapidated" was subdivided into "sound" (in good repair) and "deteriorating" (in need of repair), and the enumerator was given a list of "slight," "intermediate," and "critical" defects by which a determination could be made. As before, vacant trailers, boats, etc., were not enumerated. 72 Measuring America P3. What is the relationship of this person to the head of this house- 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 P15. Did he finish the highest grade (or year) he attended? Finished P16. Has he attended regular school or college at any time since If he has attended only nursery school, business or trade United OR (Name of foreign country; or Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.) April 1955 to Dec. 1956 P19. When did he When did he get married Month Year P20. If this is a woman who has ever been married How many babies has she ever had, not counting stillbirths? (Number) P21. When was this person born? c. County. AND State, foreign country, U.S. possession, etc.. the city limits? { Space for any notes about the entries for this person Yes.. No.. Born before April 1946 Please go on with questions P22 to Born April 1946 Please omit ques- and turn the page Measuring America 73 PLEASE NOTE: These housing questions begin with number H19 because the Census Taker has already obtained the answers to The term "house" or "apartment'' covers your house or part of the house you occupy, or the apartment, |