HIS206 Tarrant County College Life in the Tenements Questions When historians set out to learn about groups of people from the past, they look for records

HIS206 Tarrant County College Life in the Tenements Questions When historians set out to learn about groups of people from the past, they look for records that our written by or about the individuals (journals, diaries, letters, newspaper articles, etc.) Since immigrants left behind very few records and very little was written about them during their lives, historians rely greatly on census records (a sample is provided below) to create a picture of what life was like for these individuals in the early 20th century. Because they are conducted once every 10 years by the federal government (and sometimes more frequently by state governments), the US Census of the Population provides information about people in a specific place at a specific time.

In this assignment, you will review census records for tenants living in a tenement New York City in 1870, 1900, 1915, and 1930. Carefully review the transcripts of the original censuses and answer the questions below.

Questions

1. Based on the information provided in the census records, how would you describe the people who lived at 97 Orchard Street?

2. What patterns did you observe in the 1870 census?

3. What patterns did you observe in the 1900 census?

4. What patterns did you observe in the 1915 census?

5. What patterns did you observe in the 1930 census?

6. What would you like to know above these individuals that you cannot learn from the census records?

7. Imagine historians will one day research your life. In addition to census records, what types of “close” sources might they use to learn about your life?