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From:
Subject: Re: [MOGEN] What REALLY happened to the 1890 census
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 08:15:36 EDT

In a message dated 9/20/2004 3:19:34 PM Central Daylight Time,
writes:

I got this on my NCGenWeb list. Very interesting and very SAD! Forwarded
with permission.

Denise


An article on the National Archives & Records Administration website
entitled:
"First in the Path of Firemen"
The Fate of the 1890 Population Census
by Kellee Blake

should really be "required reading" for all citizens, especially those
concerned with historical research.

Part 1 of this important article begins on the following link. A link at
the bottom will lead you to Part 2, then on to Part 3.

http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/spring_1996_1890_census_1.html

Allow me to pique your interest with this excerpt:
"The extant record is scanty on storage and possible use of the 1890
schedules between 1922 and 1932 and seemingly silent on what
precipitated the following chain of events. In December 1932, in
accordance with federal records procedures at the time, the Chief Clerk
of the Bureau of Census sent the Librarian of Congress a list of papers
no longer necessary for current business and scheduled for destruction.
He asked the Librarian to report back to him any documents that should
be retained for their historical interest. Item 22 on the list for
Bureau of the Census read 'Schedules, Population . . . 1890, Original.'
The Librarian identified no records as permanent, the list was sent
forward, and Congress authorized destruction on February 21, 1933. At
least one report states the 1890 census papers were finally destroyed in
1935, and a small scribbled note found in a Census Bureau file states
'remaining schedules destroyed by Department of Commerce in 1934 (not
approved by the Geographer).' "

By all means, read the entire article, and pass along the link to
everyone.
Frankly, I think it's time we stopped perpetuating the myth that it was
merely "lost in a fire"...
After all, history does have a way of repeating itself.

-Sandy
CC for Vance County
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