Most of the information given in original documents (census, death certificates, birth certificates, etc.) came from what someone remembered. Documentation was not required by the census taker when information was provided. The same thing is true of much of the information on a death certificate (especially information about the person’s and parents). Ask yourself, “what evidence” did the informant have to have to get this information included in the record? Chances are none was required.
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One response
I think that the census is particularly likely to be questionable information. It depends on who answers the door, especially if it’s the maid, a child, or someone else who doesn’t know all the information. As far as interpreting the census information, it depends on how good or bad the census taker’s handwriting is.