--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 8:46:22 -0400
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: fw re census maps
Sender: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
 
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]>
 
 
>From:  SMTP%"[log in to unmask]" 28-JUL-1998 17:07:53.17
>To:    GOVDOCS
>CC:
>Subj:  reference ? -Reply
 
>Date:         Tue, 28 Jul 1998 13:59:10 -0700
>Reply-To:     Discussion of Government Document Issues <[log in to unmask]>
>Sender:       Discussion of Government Document Issues <[log in to unmask]>
>From:         "Theodore J. Hull" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject:      reference ? -Reply
>To:           [log in to unmask]
 
Dear Ms. Dwyer:
 
A brief history of the Census tract is included in the "Geographic Areas
Reference Manual" publication of the Bureau of the Census, issued
November 1994.  This history is included on pages 10-2-10-3.  It states
that the Census Office " ... collected the 1910 census data in a manner
that allowed for these tabulations by small area.   Interested data users
then could purchase the data summaries and arrange for their tabulation
and publication,  The Census Office also delineated similar 'districts,' later
called 'census tracts,' in seven other cities (other than NYC): Baltimore,
Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis."
 
It goes on to state that "the Census Bureau collected data by census
tract for these eight cities in 1910 and 1920; however only New York
city made immediate use of the data.  In the mid-1920's Chicago and
Cleveland purchased and published their census tract data."
 
Therefore, since the term 'census tract' did not come into use until after
the delineation of the areas for the 1910 and 1920 censuses, there may
be some confusion among your sources about what to look for on the
base maps.  From this description, the areas should have either been
delineated on the maps or some narrative description of these 'districts'
published in order for the cities to later tabulate and publish the statistics.
 
For example, textual records of the Geography Division in the National
Archives and Records Administration include, according to the "Guide to
Federal Records in the National Archives (1995), entry 29.3.6, possible
sources for such narrative materials.  You or your patron may consider
contacting the Textual Reference Branch (NWCTB), National Archives,
Washington, DC  20408, for further information about these records.  The
telephone number is 202-501-5395.
 
I hope this information is useful.
 
Ted Hull
Center for Electronic Records
National Archives and Records Administration
301-713-6645, ext. 253
 
>>> "Catherine M Dwyer, University at Albany/SUNYA"
<[log in to unmask]> 07/27/98 06:50pm >>>
Hi,  i have a patron who is looking for 1910 and 1920 census
tract maps for chicago illinois.  she has located the data so we
assume there must be some type of mapping somewhere.  the people
that
she has spoken to at nara and census and in illinois are only
aware of enumeration maps.
any help would be greatly appreciated
cathy
 
Catherine M Dwyer
Government Documents Librarian
University at Albany/SUNYA
518-442-3549
[log in to unmask]
--- End Forwarded Message ---