While census ages can always be incorrect, a family’s enumeration should be relatively consistent from one enumeration to the next. Of course:

  • Family members may not age the correct number of years
  • Nicknames and diminutives may be used in one enumeration and not others
  • Spouses die and family members marry again
  • Children “age out” of the household
  • Children die
  • Stepchildren may be are acquired when someone marries

Households should “age appropriately” from one enumeration to another–except for all the things that could change.

Make certain you have the same family, try and understand minor inconsistencies, and work to determine who the “new” people really are.

 

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