PRIMARY SOURCES LESSON PLAN High School; Grades 9‐12 Related Museum Programs: All
Big Idea: Primary source documents help us learn about people, places, and events from the past.
Description: Students examine primary source documents to reconstruct part of the history of the Lower East Side between the years 1870 and 2010.
Objectives: Students will: Understand that primary source documents can help us understand people, places, and events from the past. Think critically about historic records. Explore change over time. Explore the strengths and limitations of using primary source documents as a research tool. Essential Questions: How do historians learn about the past? How can primary source documents help us to understand the past and the present? What are the strengths and limitations of primary sources?
Time Frame: 1‐3 class periods. This activity has been designed to be customized to your learning goals and your students’ individual needs. Choose to do the complete lesson plan or select parts with your students based on your schedule and objectives.
Materials: Census Guide (located in appendix) Census Packet (located in appendix) Photograph of 97 Orchard Street (located in appendix) Loose‐leaf paper Pens or pencils Vocabulary: Primary source Census
Primary Sources Lesson High School ©Lower East Side Tenement Museum Procedure:
Pre‐Lesson Prep (to be completed by the teacher before the day of the lesson) Review the Census Guide and Packet in the appendix. The Census Guide offers information about each source and will help you to support students’ thinking during their document analysis. In addition, consider how you will break up the students during the activity. Make copies of the census packet as needed for the number of student groups.
Part 1: Introduction Ask students to brainstorm different ways that a person 50 years in the future could learn about them. Encourage students to think about their Facebook pages, pictures, journal entries, college admission essays, etc. Record students’ suggestions on the board. Inform students that when historians try to learn about people, places, and events form the past they use sources that are as “close” to the person, place, or event as possible. Tell students that the examples they gave represent contemporary types of “primary source documents.” Introduce the 1870 Census from the Census Packet as an example of a traditional primary source. Explain that census records provide information about people in a specific place at a specific time. While census records that would list the students would not be available until 72 years following the administration of the census, for years that they are available, they provide a lot of information about people. This census tells us about the tenants of 97 Orchard Street, a tenement building on the Lower East Side in New York City, which today is part of the Tenement Museum. Display the photograph of 97 Orchard Street (see: appendix). Invite students to closely examine the 1870 census. Some guiding questions include: o What information does this document provide? o How would you describe the people who lived here? o What patterns do you see? Record students’ observations on the board.
Part 2: Activity Tell students that they will examine several censuses that provide information about the residents of 97 Orchard Street. Break students into research groups and distribute the Census Packets (see: appendix) to each group. Instruct students to examine the census records in the packets in order to learn as much as they can about who was living there at various points in time. Students can record their findings on loose‐leaf paper. If you did Part 1, students can use the class examination of the 1870 Census as a model for their own explorations. Gather students back together. Display the 1900 census and ask research groups to share their findings. Record students’ observations on the board. Repeat this procedure with the censuses from 1915 and 1930.
Primary Sources Lesson High School ©Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Part 3: Wrap‐Up Facilitate a discussion to help students synthesize their census analysis. Guiding questions include: o What overall patterns did you notice after looking at all of the censuses? o How did studying all of the censuses together affect your understanding of the neighborhood? o What questions do you still have that were not answered through your examination of these records? What are some ways we might be able to research the answers to those questions? What types of primary source documents could help us in our research? Instruct students to write a history of the neighborhood based on their research.
Assessment: Notice if students use their findings from the censuses as a basis for their conclusions about the neighborhood. Notice students’ responses during the wrap‐conversation.
Extensions: Have students explore the current demographics of the Lower East Side using the New York Times’ “Mapping the 2010 US Census” tool, which can be found at: http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/map. Type in the zip code number 10002 and then zoom in to track 18 to examine the Lower East Side neighborhood where 97 Orchard Street is located. Students can then compare the contemporary demographics with those of the past and draw a deeper understanding of the neighborhood’s change over time.
Help students organize and carry out a census of their homerooms, school, apartment buildings, or neighborhood blocks. Lead students in an exploration of the data they collect. Encourage them to search for patterns within it.
Primary Sources Lesson High School ©Lower East Side Tenement Museum Appendix: census Guide
General Background to the United States Census: The United States government began using the census to collect data about the country’s inhabitants following a mandate put forth by the 1787 Constitution. The purpose of the census, according to the Constitution, was to determine the amount of representatives allotted to each state in the House of Representatives. Therefore, the primary focus of the initial version of the census was population. Then, in 1850, Congress ordered a refashioning of the census in order to gain information about individuals—specifically regarding their professions, birthplaces, schooling, and socioeconomic statuses. By 1870, the census solicited data regarding the number of males over the age of 21. It also inquired as to how many of those men were denied voting rights. This change resulted from Congress’ desire to use the census as a tool in Reconstruction. Essentially, the Fourteenth Amendment required that Congress deny representation to states in proportion to the number of adult males who were denied voting rights in those states before the Civil War. Censuses in the later‐nineteenth century questioned participants’ language and country‐of‐origin, reflecting a growing immigrant population. The 1930 census, for example, collected data concerning languages spoken beyond English, the birthplaces of parents, and the year in which individuals immigrated to the United States in addition to their statuses as citizens.
General Background to the New York State Census: New York State began conducting state censuses in 1790, ten years after the first federal census in 1790. The six censuses that were conducted between that time and 1821 collected information about those inhabitants who were able to vote. In 1825, the state began conducting censuses of all individuals living in New York State. New York State stopped conducting censuses in 1925 after the Cities Census Committee, Inc. accused Florence E.S. Knapp, New York’s Secretary of State, of “wasteful and illegal use of the funds appropriated by the Legislature for the census.” The following investigation resulted in a recommendation that the practice of conducting state censuses be abolished in favor of utilizing data from the federal census.
Primary Sources Lesson High School ©Lower East Side Tenement Museum 1870 Census Residents of 97 Orchard Street are immigrants, primarily from the area surrounding modern‐day Germany. The women of the households work as homemakers. The asterisk next to the Color category seems to indicate the ethnic populations in the United States at the time: “White, Black, Mulatto, Chinese, and Indian.” On average, the personal household of each estate is $500. Most of the employed tenants of this building work in labor‐intensive or technical fields, such as shoe making. These jobs could have been learned in their country of origin or in the United States.
1900 Census Residents of 97 Orchard are immigrants, primarily from Eastern Europe. Many of the tenants work in the garment industry. The census reflects an infant mortality rate of about 50 percent. Most of the tenants speak English, and children living in the building can also read and write. It is interesting to note that this information was gathered from individuals without the use of a test. Census enumerators had to take people at their word. In comparison to today’s standards, families are relatively large and often contain about five children. Not all of the families immigrated to the United States at the same time. Small sections within families seem to have moved together.
1915 Census Residents of 97 Orchard are immigrants, primarily from Eastern Europe or Turkey. The Eastern European Jewish immigrants most likely spoke Yiddish, while the Turkish families likely spoke Ladino. It is also interesting to note that the “Confeenee” family (known to the museum as Confino) is related to the Davis family by marriage. Adult women are listed as keeping house. Many of the occupations listed are manual, labor‐based jobs that require technical training rather than higher‐level education. The relationships between members of the same household are not specified, but differing last names indicate that not all household members were members of the same nuclear family.
1930 Census Residents of 97 Orchard are immigrants, primarily from Eastern Europe. Most tenants list Yiddish as their “mother tongue.” Many tenants say they are able to speak English. Many tenants are not listed as naturalized citizens. Interestingly, this census does not inquire as to whether or not children are in school. Most questions surround immigration status and assimilation. While almost all Heads‐of‐family are listed as having jobs, not all children who could obtain working papers are listed as working. Families are smaller than they were in 1900, with about three children per family.
Primary Sources Lesson High School ©Lower East Side Tenement Museum Appendix: Photograph of 97 Orchard Street
Primary Sources Lesson High School ©Lower East Side Tenement Museum Appendix: Census Guide
The census guide includes two versions of each census: an original and a retyped format. Please note that the retyped version may only include a segment of the original copy. Due to the small font of many censuses, it is recommended to print the census guide on 11x17 paper.
Primary Sources Lesson High School ©Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Portion of the 1870 U.S. Census Record For the Address of 97 Orchard Street Page No. 10 SCHEDULE 1.- Inhabitants in The 6th Dist-10th Ward, in the County of New York of New York, enumerated by me on the 21st of June, 1870. Post Office: New York, City
The name of every Profession, Place of Birth, naming Whether
person whose place ) Occupation, or State or Territory of deaf and F
of abode on the first ( Trade of each U.S.; or the Country, if of dumb, blind day of June, 1870 person Male or foreign birth. insane or was in this family. Female idiots. Age Sex-Male (M) Female Color-White (W), Black(B), Mulato(M) Chinese(C) Indian (I) Value of Real Estate Value of Personal Estate Attended school within a year Cannot read Cannot write 5 Laventhal, Louis 26 M W Segar Maker 500 Prussia
6 Celia 23 F W Keeping House Prussia
7 Lena 3 F W New York
8 Garbe, Edward 38 M W Waiter 500 Prussia
9 Adelia 40 F W Cap Maker Prussia
10 Glockner, Edward 34 M W Bookbinder 600 New York
11 Caroline 22 F W Keeping House Saxony
12 Cull, John 34 M W Clerk Saxony
13 Lena 30 F W Keeping House Saxony
14 Gumpertz, Julius 33 M W Shoe Maker 400 Prussia
15 Natalia 30 F W Keeping House Prussia
16 Rosa 3 F W New York
17 Nanny 1 F W New York
18 Gottberg, Norman 32 M W Dealer in Lace 300 Polland
19 Pauline 26 F W Keeping House Prussia
20 Tila 4 F W New York
21 Bertha 8/ F W New York 12 22 Brouhard, Susan 56 F W Prussia
23 Aaron 58 M W Peddler 500 Prussia
24 Bruggman, William 34 M W Musician 800 Prussia
25 Augusta 25 F W Keeps House Baden
26 Henrietta 10 F W At School Prussia
27 Hadwig 8 F W Prussia
28 William 6 M W Prussia
29 Christina 4 F W Prussia
30 Schafer, Adolfus 48 M W Keeps Shooting 300 New York Gallery 31 Evelin 40 F W New York
No. of dwellings, No. of white females, 22 No. of males foreign born, 11 “ “ families, “ “ colored males, “ “ females , 13 “ “ white males, 18 “ “ “ females, “ “ blind, “ “ insane,
Portion of 1900 U.S. Census for 97 Orchard Street
Name of each
Place your message here. For maximum impact, use two or three sentences. person whose Number Number place of abode on of of Place Year of Months Can June 1, 1900 was Relation Color Sex Age children children of immigration Occupation Not Can Can Speak in this family born alive birth to the U.S. employed Read Write English
1 Ginsberg, Flora Daughter W F 13 Russia 1893 At School Yes Yes Yes 2 Annie Daughter W F 7 New York At School Yes Yes Yes 3 Sam Son W M 5 New York No No No 4 Ella Daughter W F 1 New York 5 Siegal, Isaac Head W M 28 Russia 1892 Tailor 3 Yes Yes Yes 6 Becky Sister W F 21 Russia 1897 Tailor 2 Yes Yes Yes 7 Jacobson, Edward Head W M 24 Russia 1895 Tailor 0 No No Yes 8 Solive, Ike Boarder W M 23 Russia 1897 Tailor 0 No No No 9 Reigar, Samuel Head W M 43 Russia 1891 Upholsterer 3 No No Yes 10 Ida Wife W F 43 9 4 Russia 1891 No No Yes 11 Mathew Son W M 23 Russia 1891 Life Insurance 0 Yes Yes Yes Agent 12 Abraham Son W M 17 Russia 1893 At College Yes Yes Yes 13 Fanny Daughter W F 13 Russia 1893 House Work Yes Yes Yes 14 Mollie Daughter W F 10 Russia 1893 At School Yes Yes Yes Name Relation Color Sex Age Children Children Birth Year Occupation Months Can- Can Speak born alive place immigrated unemployed Read Write English 15 Lustgarden, Isaac Head W M 54 Austria 1880 Butcher 0 Yes Yes Yes 16 Goldie Wife W F 53 10 6 Austria 1880 No No Yes 17 Rebeca Daughter W F 27 Austria 1880 At Home No No No 18 Bertha Daughter W F 20 Austria 1880 Dress Maker 0 Yes Yes Yes 19 Rosa B Daughter W F 19 New York Trained Nurse 0 Yes Yes Yes 20 William W Son W M 18 New York Law Student 0 Yes Yes Yes 21 Rudolph, Pauline Boarder W F 21 Russia 1891 Dress Maker 0 Yes Yes Yes 22 Miller, Abraham Head W M 27 Russia 1894 Jewelry Dealer 0 Yes Yes Yes 23 Scoller, Betzie Boarder W F 29 0 0 Russia 1899 At Home 0 No No No 24 Bernard Boarder W M 29 Russia 1899 Shirt Maker 0 No No No 25 Levin, Harris Head W M 32 Russia 1890 Ladies Tailor 0 Yes Yes Yes 26 Jenny Wife W F 24 3 3 Russia 1890 No No No 27 Pauline Daughter W F 7 New York At School Yes Yes Yes 28 Hyman Son W M 4 New York 29 Max Son W M 2 New York 30 Goldberg, Jacob Head W M 49 Austria 1899 Watch Maker No No No
31 Sarah Wife W F 49 10 6 Austria 1899 No No No 32 Fanny Daughter W F 20 Austria 1892 Hat Maker 3 Yes Yes Yes
33 Lena Daughter W F 18 Austria 1898 Hat Maker 4 Yes Yes Yes 34 Harry Son W M 17 Austria 1899 Peddler 0 Yes Yes Yes 35 Louis Son W M 14 Austria 1899 Tailor 3 Yes Yes Yes
Enumeration of the Inhabitants of Block No. 4__, Election District No. _11_ Ward No. _X_, City Town ___X___ Assembly District No. _8_, County __New York__, State of New York Name of Institution _X______Enumerator ______
COLOR, SEX PERMANENT CITIZENSHI NAME RELATION NATIVITY OCCUPATION RESIDENCE AND AGE P
Of each person whose usual
in
If born in this
place of abode on June 1, 1915, Relationship country, write Trade or Race
was in this family. birthday
Years of each United States; States
or
Alien Of work
Sex of
Enter surname first, then the person to the last If of foreign
or Number
(not legible) given name and middle initial, head of the at birth, write
Color United if any. family. name of the Age Street House Number Citizen country the Orchard 97 Joseph Elias Head W M 25 Turkey 8 Al “ “ “ “ Victoria Wife “ F 20 “ 3 “ Housework Not Not “ “ “ “ Jacob Son “ M legible U.S legible Cit No occupation Brother “ “ “ Mayo Benjamin “ F 21 Turkey 5 Al Tinsmith in law “ “ “ Davis Samuel Head “ M 25 “ 8 “ Reels “ “ “ “ Allegra Wife “ F 20 “ 2 “ Housewife “ “ “ “ Jacob Brother “ M 23 “ 7 “ Laborer “ “ “ Confeenee Abraham Cousin “ “ 18 “ 2 “ Printer “ “ “ “ Abraham Head “ “ 46 “ 2 “ Peddler “ “ “ “ Rachael Wife “ F 45 “ 2 “ Housework “ “ “ “ Joseph Son “ M 17 “ 2 “ Tinsmith “ “ “ “ Victoria Daughter “ F 13 “ 2 “ School “ “ “ “ David Son “ M 11 “ 2 “ “ “ “ “ “ Solomon “ “ “ 7 “ 2 “ “ “ “ “ “ Jacob “ “ “ 5 “ 2 “ No occupation “ “ “ “ Salvator “ “ “ 1 U.S. 1 Cit “ “ “ “ “ David Cousin “ “ 20 Turkey 2 Al Tailor “ “ “ “ Isidor Head “ “ 38 Austria 12 “ Operator “ “ “ “ Lillie Wife “ F 30 “ 10 “ Housework “ “ “ “ Annie Daughter “ “ 19 “ 10 “ Shades “ “ “ “ Mollie “ “ “ 13 “ 10 “ School “ “ “ “ Herman Son “ M 3 U.S. 3 Cit No occupation “ “ “ “ Regina Daughter “ F 1 “ “ 1 “ “ “ “ “ “ Rubinsky Morris Head “ M 35 Russia 15 “ Carpenter “ “ “ “ Bessie Wife “ F 25 “ 4 Cit Housework “ “ “ “ Libby Daughter “ “ 1 ½ U.S. 1 ½ “ No occupation “ “ “ Un Abraham Lodger “ M 30 Russia 10 Al Carpenter “ “ “ Halprin Louis Head “ “ 44 “ 10 “ Operator “ “ “ “ Minnie Wife “ F 33 Austria 8 “ Housework “ “ “ “ Morris Son “ M 8 U.S. 8 Cit School “ “ “ “ Jessie Daughter “ F 6 “ “ 6 “ “ “ “ “ Lobell Elias Head “ M 37 Roumania 10 Al Carpenter “ “ “ “ Fannie Wife “ F 36 Austria 8 “ Housework “ “ “ “ Morris Son “ M 12 “ 8 “ School “ “ “ “ Minnie Daughter “ F 44 U.S. 4 Cit No Occupation
1915
Portion of 1930 U.S. Census for 97 Orchard Street
Name of each Age at Marital Place Mother Citizenship Whether person whose Relation Color Sex last status of Tongue of Able to Occupa- Indus- place of abode on Birthday birth Place your message here. For maximum impact, use two or three sentences.Foreign Speak tion try April 1, 1930 was Born English in this family Person Father Mother Year of Natural- Immi- ized or Al- gration ien to U.S. Grieff, Julius Head W M 51 M Romania Romania Romania Yiddish 1912 NA Yes Tailor Garment
Mary Wife W F 45 M Romania Romania Romania Yiddish 1902 AL Yes Home
Grieff, Rose Head W F 18 S New Romania Romania Yes Home York Joseph Brother W M 17 S New Romania Romania Yes Home York Sonny Brother W M 7 S New Romania Romania Yes Home York Beyer, Rachel Head W F 60 M Russia Russia Russia Yiddish 1905 AL No Home
Bodell, Lena Boarder W F 50 M Russia Russia Russia Yiddish 1905 AL No Home
Abraham Boarder W M 13 S New Russia Russia Yes Home York Markovitz, Alex Head W M 41 M Russia Russia Russia Yiddish 1906 AL No Laundry Laundry worker Elena Wife W F 37 M Russia Russia Russia Yiddish 1914 AL No Home Olga Daughter W F 12 S New Russia Russia Yes Home York
Place Citizenship of Mother Whether Occupa- Industry Marital birth Tongue of Able to tion Name Relation Color Sex Age status Person Father Mother Foreign Year Natural- Speak Born Immi- ized or Al- English grated ien
Markovitz, John Son W M 11 S New Russia Russia Yes Home York
Riley Son W M 5 S New Russia Russia Yes Home York Katz, Ben Head W M 34 M Russia Russia Russia Yiddish 1910 AL No Peddler Toys
Annie Wife W F 38 M Austria Austria Austria Yiddish 1912 AL No Home
Pauline Daughter W F 11 S New Russia Austria Yes Home York Jennie Daughter W F 9 S New Russia Austria Yes Home York Ruth Daughter W F 4 S New Russia Austria Yes Home York Muzzi, Jim Head W M 22 S England England England English 1924 NA Yes Operator Elevator
Sutter, John Boarder W M 27 S England England England English 1920 NA Yes Operator Elevator
Gordy, Solomon Head W M 59 M Romania Roma- Romania Yiddish 1902 NA Yes Peddler nia Rosenthal, Fan- Head W F 53 W Russia Russia Russia Yiddish 1901 AL Yes Home ny